Helen Keller: Her Life in Pictures Book

1. Award(s) Received: 2008 Orbis Pictus Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Award - Honor Book, 2008 CCBC Choice

2. Appropriate Grade Level(s): 4-6

3. Summary: Filled with photographs taken throughout her life, this book combines photos and text to tell the remarkable biography of Helen Keller. After becoming deaf and blind as an infant, Helen learns how to communicate as a child through Braille and ASL from her teacher Anne Sullivan. Helen goes on to succeed in school, graduate college as the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, become a political activist, and speak publicly.

4. Review: Helen Keller is a powerful role model for children of all abilities to look up to. Her work as an activist improved the lives of blind individuals by improving educational opportunities and accessibility to books written in Braille. Her life's work inspires us all to show courage in the face of adversities, not take our life for granted, and to make a difference in the world.

5. In-Class Uses: This book could be a part of a lesson on raising awareness of people with disabilities. Since I am an intermediate signer, I could teach my students some words and phrases in American Sign Language to increase their understanding of how most deaf individuals communicate, increase their cultural knowledge of the Deaf community, and since it is learning a second language, strengthen their linguistic abilities. We could also have a discussion on blindness, and brainstorm ways blind people rely on their other senses to complete tasks, such as cooking a meal.