The Story of Helen Keller by Lorena A. Hickok
Tempo Books Edition
Published February 1964
Paperback, 160 pages

This was one of the best and most inspirational books I read as a kid. I don't remember how it came into my possession, but I know it was passed on to me and I read it many times. My copy is now so tattered with the binding gone and with stapled and taped up yellowed pages, but I could never throw it away. I wanted to share this story about the amazing Helen Keller with my daughter, and so we read it together.

She loved it too, and I could tell she was inspired by this woman who had been blind, deaf and dumb (mute), but who surpassed all her obstacles with determination and strong will to go on to accomplish many things in her life. This book covers Helen Keller's life from her childhood on to her adult life, but it focuses mainly on her young life. I have read Helen Keller's memoir, which I truly enjoyed, but this book is still my favorite because it was the first book I read about this extraordinary woman, and it's written for middle graders in such an appealing way that I enjoyed it again even now as an adult.

As a matter of fact, I was really touched by the story twice during the reading that I got a lump in my throat and had to fight tears. The first time was when Helen first realized that everything has a name and her world of darkness is transformed and the second time was when her beloved teacher Anne Sullivan died.

I loved reading this book with my daughter and sharing with her one of my best-loved classic children's books. Although this was first written in 1964, today's young girl will be able to appreciate the story of a woman who was ahead of her time and fought to make a difference in this world. Highly recommended!

Note: This book is rated C = clean read.

Reviewed by Laura and daughter

Disclosure: I own this book and was not told how to rate or review this product.