A Girl Named Helen

Introduces the life and accomplishments of Helen Keller, including her activism for people with disabilities.

Introduces the life and accomplishments of Helen Keller, including her activism for people with disabilities.

Twelve-year-old Molly and her ten-year-old brother, Michael, have never liked their seven-year-old stepsister, Heather. Ever since their parents got married, she's made Molly and Michael's life miserable. Now their parents have moved them all to the country to live in a house that used to be a church, with a cemetery in the backyard. If that's not bad enough, Heather starts talking to a ghost named Helen and warning Molly and Michael that Helen is coming for them. Molly feels certain Heather is in some kind of danger, but every time she tries to help, Heather twists things around to get her into trouble. It seems as if things can't get any worse. But they do—when Helen comes.

The inspiring story of a girl whose world never stopped growing. As a baby, Helen Keller lost her hearing and sight to a rare illness. For five years, the world around her was a mystery. Then one day, her teacher taught Helen a single name, and her world started to grow. She went on to graduate from college, write books, and travel the country, speaking out for people with disabilities. Helen Keller's world never stopped growing. And her story is a reminder that behind every name is something precious, waiting to be discovered.

Teacher Pat Kozyra is now acting upon the many requests from family, friends, and colleagues that she write a book about her half century in the teaching profession. This seasoned professional has so many Tips and Tidbits to offer, so much to tell, and so much to share with colleagues! She has taught primary grades, vocal music, art resource, and gifted education, and has been a preschool coordinator, English as a Second Language teacher, and has presented courses in special education at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. The author felt the time was right to celebrate her milestone by sharing with parents and teachers alike the important Tips and Tidbits she has learned in her distinguished career.

Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama on June 27, 1880. When she was just a year and a half old, she was left blind and deaf from an illness. In a very simple text, the author covers the important facts of Helen Keller's life. Besides her extraordinary work with teacher Anne Mansfield Sullivan, she published several books and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964. Her bravery, brilliance, and spirit brought hope to millions of disabled people.

Ten-year-old Dandi (affectionately called "Dan" by family and friends) lives and breathes baseball. She may not be a fence buster but she can "hit 'em where they ain't" in the neighborhood pick-up games. The boys know she's a contender. And there's no bigger fan of the 1961 Kansas City A's. So when Charlie Finley, the A's new owner, announces an essay contest to get batboys, there's no doubt Dandi will enter the contest. Dandi not only enters the contest--her essay wins! However, her joy is short-lived when the contest officials enforce the For Boys Only rule. Long before the boundary-breaking ruling of Title IX, young women across the country used grit and determination to prove that barriers of gender have no place on a level playing field. Dandi Daley Mackall's true-life story gives voice and testament to the spirit of these young sports pioneers.Dandi Daley Mackall conducts writing workshops across the United States and speaks at numerous conferences and young author events. She was an instructor at Highlights and taught novel writing for the Institute for Children's Literature. Her most recent Sleeping Bear Press book is Rudy Rides the Rails. Dandi lives in West Salem, Ohio. Renée Graef is well known as the illustrator for the "Kirsten" books in the American Girl children's book collection. She has also illustrated many books in the My First Little House series. Her books with Sleeping Bear Press include Paul Bunyan's Sweetheart and B is for Bookworm: A Library Alphabet. Renée lives in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

At age two, Helen Keller became deaf and blind. She lived in a world of silence and darkness and she spent the rest of her life struggling to break through it. But with the help of teacher Annie Sullivan, Helen learned to read, write, and do many amazing things. This inspiring illustrated biography is perfect for young middle-grade readers. Black-and-white line drawings throughout, sidebars on related topics such as Louis Braille, a timeline, and a bibliography enhance readers' understanding of the subject.

A true incident in the life of young Helen Keller in which she gets stuck in a storm and her teacher, Annie Sullivan, rescues her.