Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller
    Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller
    Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller
    Audiobook15 hours

    Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller

    Written by Sarah Miller

    Narrated by Terry Donnelly

    4/5

    ()

    Switch to ebook

    About this audiobook

    Sarah Miller's accomplished debut presents a fictionalized account of Anne Sullivan's life and her time as Helen Keller's teacher. Arriving at Ivy Green in 1887, Anne was a partially blind orphan who had been tasked with teaching the difficult blind, deaf, and mute girl to communicate. Anne quickly learned, along with Helen, that "words are a miracle." "A strong portrait ... stirring ..."-Booklist, starred review
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateMay 9, 2008
    ISBN9781436133395
    Author

    Sarah Miller

    Sarah Miller began writing her first novel at ten years old and has spent half her life working in libraries and bookstores. She is the author of Caroline: Little House, Revisited, and Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller, which was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and nominated for numerous state award lists. Sarah lives in Michigan. 

    Related to Miss Spitfire

    Related audiobooks

    Children's Biography & Autobiography For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Little House On The Controversy: Laura Ingalls Wilder's Name Removed From Book Award

      Jun 25, 2018

      The Association for Library Service to Children voted unanimously to strike Wilder's name from a major children's lit award over concerns about how the author referred to Native Americans and blacks.

      2 min read

    • Article

      Sunflowers in Skagway

      Jan 1, 2023

      Sunflowers in Skagway
      4 min read

    • Article

      I Used to Give Men Mercy

      Feb 12, 2018

      I Used to Give Men Mercy
      12 min read

    • Article

      Love, Lust, and More

      Feb 12, 2020

      Fleetwood Mac was singing She is dancing away from you now, and I squirmed in my seat. Kabir was rubbing my thigh as he drove, a gesture I once thought was reserved for me. Bah! I also used to think he only took naked selfies in bed with me, but then

      11 min read

    • Article

      Cricket League

      Jan 1, 2019

      Lydia Rosenburg, age 10 Bellingham, WA The boy curled against the rundown brick wall, too weak to even sit up. The pain behind his eyelids had dulled to a throb, but now his world was nothing but darkness. How long ago had it happened? Day and night,

      7 min read

    • Article

      The Inherited Imagination

      Aug 18, 2020

      The Inherited Imagination
      9 min read

    • Article

      Ice cream DREAMS

      Jul 28, 2021

      Ice cream DREAMS
      8 min read

    • Article

      Who’s The Daddy?

      Oct 23, 2020

      Who’s The Daddy?
      5 min read

    • Article

      How Postcards From My Mother Helped Me Survive Childhood

      Mar 3, 2017

      For years, my mother wrote to me every day. I’d been sent away to boarding school and for the first weeks was forbidden to call home­. I was eleven. This was just before mobile phones came beeping and clicking into the lives of everyday people. I di

      4 min read

    • Article

      Commentary: Grieving Over Mom: No, She's Not In A 'Better Place'

      May 10, 2019

      Two days before my mother died, she was incontinent, incoherent and, with the exception of some humming, incommunicado. Dementia had swept away her ability to swallow food or water, and danger of asphyxiation was real. Nurses swabbed her dry lips wit

      3 min read

    • Article

      Orange You Glad

      Jun 1, 2021

      Orange You Glad
      13 min read

    • Article

      An Elephant NEVER FORGETS

      May 17, 2023

      An Elephant NEVER FORGETS
      6 min read

    • Article

      After “The End”

      Oct 10, 2022

      I walked down the road with a hunched back and a wet cigarette in my mouth—the fire had died a while back. My hands were tucked into the pockets of my jacket, and my hair fell over my face, limiting my sight. But I wasn’t really seeing where I was go

      10 min read

    • Article

      Cricket Ceague

      Apr 1, 2019

      Penelope Berkeley, age 9 Mars Hill, NC Night had fallen, and Luna awoke from where she had been sleeping in a cornfield. She moved steadily through the stalks with barely a sound, keeping her eyes on the glittering glass rooftop of the greenhouse in

      7 min read

    • Article

      Perfection

      Jun 9, 2020

      For years I could barely write a page. I thought I was becoming a virtuoso of smallness while the grief, which is wordless, occupied an ever-greater volume. My friend lived in the estates on the bad side of town. Let’s go to the forest, she said when

      9 min read

    • Article

      I’ll Be There

      Oct 25, 2019

      I’ll Be There
      7 min read

    • Article

      The Joy Of BOOKS

      Jan 19, 2021

      The Joy Of BOOKS
      7 min read

    • Article

      Bloodlines and Bitter Syrup

      Sep 1, 2020

      Bloodlines and Bitter Syrup
      18 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Miss Spitfire

    4/5

    339 ratings110 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      Although I thought I knew a lot about Helen Keller this book piqued my interest again, and i will be reading more about her and Annie Sullivan. I did not know much about Annie and her story is almost as amazing as Helen's. This is another OBOB book and I am glad that students will be exposed to the incredible story of these two women.
    • 3/5
      Annie Sullivan was little more than a half-blind orphan with a fiery tongue when she arrived at Ivy Green in 1887. Desperate for work, she'd taken on a seemingly impossible job--teaching a child who was deaf, blind, and as ferocious as any wild animal. But Helen Keller needed more than a teacher. She needed someone daring enough to work a miracle. And if anyone was a match for Helen, it was the girl they used to call Miss Spitfire.
      -- from the book jacket

      I really enjoyed reading this book. Of course I've seen the Miracle Worker movie and I knew the basic story about Helen Keller. But I haven't read many books on the subject. This book is told entirely from Annie Sullivan's perspective.

      While I was reading, I could feel how lost and scared Annie was and how much she wanted to help Helen. Annie was so young to be put in that position. And she had such a sad childhood. But she was a strong woman and she managed to find her way. Imagine how hard it must have been for Annie to stand up to Helen's parents, especially her father.

      Helen was completely out of control. It wasn't really her fault, her parents felt sorry for her and tried to compensate for her disabilities by giving her everything they could and not disciplining her at all. They fought Annie every step of the way, but finally agreed to let Annie take control. That was the best choice they could have made for their daughter.

      The main obstacle for Annie, besides Helen's behavior, was the fact that Helen didn't realize that things had names. She could learn the signs easy enough, but teaching her that the signs actually stood for something was the hard part.

      I love the way this book gave me insight into Annie and Helen's struggle. The book was very entertaining and made me feel like I was a part of the whole experience. I found this book in my elementary school library collection. It is more appropriate for the middle/high school collection (because of the reading level) and we will transfer it there next week. Another bonus of the Genre of the Month program, I get to explore each genre individually for an entire month. :)

      Recommended to:
      Anyone who enjoys historical fiction or is interested in the story of Helen Keller.

    • 4/5
      Annie Sullivan, a young teacher, was hired by the Keller's to teach their daughter Helen, who was deaf and blind. As we explore Annie's journey, we get to feel the emotions she was feeling while working with Helen. Through first person point of view, we get flashbacks to Annie's life and how she persevered through: the deaths of her mother and brother, being blind for most of her life, and her father's outbursts. The reader gets to experience life from Annie's point of view while she struggles and works with Helen Keller. Determined, Annie eventually breaks through to Helen and we get to experience the overwhelming feelings of pride and joy with Annie.
    • 4/5
      Annie Sullivan was hired by the Keller family to come to Alabama to teach their child that was both deaf and blind. Her name was Helen Keller. It was Annie Sullivan's first job. She, herself has a disability, she was also half-blind. Miss Sullivan was able to relate and understand Helen in a way that nobody could. At times, Miss Sullivan wanted to give up. She thought there was no way for her to reach that "devilish child". It was very tough handling her. Helen didn't want anything to do with Miss Sullivan. But after countless try and perseverance, Miss Sullivan was able to connect with Helen that change their relationship forever. I'm not sure how Miss Sullivan was able to hang in there. From how Helen was acting in the book, I don't think a normal person can handle her. It took a very special person like Miss Sullivan to overcome the difficulty because of her love for Helen.
    • 5/5
      I loved this book. As a teacher, I have experienced my fair share of struggles figuring out how to get through to children. However, I have never encountered a child who was blind, deaf, and mute... meanwhile fully functioning. I learned so much about Anne Sullivan and Helen throughout this book. I never knew the struggles faced as a youth, and I never really thought exactly what Helen had to go through. I knew of her, but never thought exactly what it must have been like to have something to say but no means of communication. I recommend this book to all teachers. Although Anne's ways might be a bit unorthodox today, she did what she needed to do and she was consistently flexible. If something didn't work she would try again. These are qualities that teachers need. We might not all have a Helen Keller, but all children require flexibility and willingness to meet their needs.
    • 3/5
      This book is about Annie Sullivan's journey of being the teacher of Helen Keller. The book depicts the interesting experiences of trying to teach a child who is both deaf and blind. It shows the beautiful relationship and trust that Annie and Helen had together. This book would be great for 5th, 6th, or 7th grade.
    • 3/5
      This book is written from Annie Sullivan's point of view. She was hired to teach Helen Keller. At first she struggles with Helen because she is so used to getting what she wants from her parents. Miss Sullivan must teach Helen discipline before teaching her how to communicate with others. I enjoyed this book because for the first time, we learn of the difficulties the teacher had rather than the difficulties of Helen Keller. Recommended for grades 5-8
    • 5/5
      Miss Spitfire is the story of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. Helen Keller became deaf and blind after a terrible case of brain fever and most thought she couldn't be taught. Annie Sullivan was a woman who came from a terrible upbringing and overcome her own blindness. When Annie graduated from school, she went to Alabama in hopes of teaching Helen. Helen was a very difficult child and Annie struggled greatly trying to teach her. Annie knew that Helen was bright and had the ability to learn, she just had to get through to her somehow. Annie finally breaks down Helen's walls and is able to truly teach her. Before reading this story, I had no idea that Annie Sullivan even existed. This is a story about never quitting, even when things seem impossible. As an activity, students could be blindfolded and be able to have the opportunity to see what it is like to be blind.
    • 4/5
      Sarah Miller uses Anne Sullivan's personal letters as inspiration for her book. She writes about Anne Sullivan's early encounters and struggles with Helen Keller. The story shows Sullivan's determination to teach Keller even though she is defiant. I like how Miller uses excerpts from Sullivan's actual letters to begin each chapter. I also really liked how there was Braille on the cover of the book. I think it is a great way to peak interest for the book.
    • 4/5
      Miss Spitfire is about Miss Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. Annie tries her best to teach blind and deaf Helen Keller communication skills. Miss Annie is half blind as well, but she had many eye operations and she is able to see. Annie received training in Perkins institution, and when she arrives to Alabama she sees Helen behave as a wild child. Helen eats with her hands, does not comb her hair, does not wash her hands, and is not disciplined. Annie begins to teach Helen to spell words on her palm, but Helen does not understand the significance of it. Annie has to go through many trails with Helen. The major trail for Annie to conquer is Helen’s discipline and making Helen’s parents comfortable with her discipline methods. After Annie has established rules for Helen, Annie has a difficult time breaking the communication barrier with Helen. For an activity for students I would put a scarf around their eyes, and ask them how they feel. Also I would bring braille materials, so that students can write in braille. I enjoyed the book because it reflects the importance of communication, discipline, and love. The book reminded me how fortunate I am to see, and I enjoyed the teaching strategies of Annie. The way how Helen discovered the world was amazing, and the most surprising thing to me was that Annie was half blind.
    • 5/5
      Loved this book about Helen Kellar's life. This story is told from her tutor, Anne Sullivan, and gives the reader a great look into both her and Helen's life. Very inspirational read as a teacher. Definitely a book I would consider having my students read if I taught a 5th-7th grade classroom.
    • 4/5
      Miss Spitfire: Reaching Hellen Keller is about Anne Sullivan, Hellen Keller’s teacher. I enjoyed this book because it was told in the perspective of Anne. The book was about Anne’s feelings and thoughts about the process of teaching Hellen to communicate. The reader is also provided with insight on how Anne grew up, before reading this book, I knew nothing about Anne’s history. Although most of the information in the book is factual, some of it is not. Since I cannot say for certain what is true and what is not, I enjoyed the book less. The author wrote thoughts that she thought Anne would have or she created dialogue around how she thought something happened. However, Anne Sullivan’s journey to reaching Hellen Keller is an interesting and inspiring story. I would use this book in my classroom during a study of Hellen Keller.
    • 5/5
      Miss Spitfire provided an insight to Anne Sullivan's challenges and strengths of teaching Helen Keller. The narrative format of this novel gives the reader the impression it was written by Anne Sullivan, even though it is really only Sarah Miller's work, which demonstrates the impressive writing style of the author. I loved reading this book as I found it captivating and did not want to put it down. I found it intriguing, because I felt it offered an honest perspective of working with Helen Keller. I would love to share this piece of historical fiction with my students and enlighten their understanding of the Helen Keller miracle and her relationship with Anne Sullivan.
    • 5/5
      This is a story based upon the letters and stories told by Anne Sullivan about when she first went to work with Helen Keller. This book was absolutely amazing and enlightening in its' own way, teaching the reader that a child with disabilities is capable of learning, but by coddling the child you may actually be hindering the child's growth.
    • 4/5
      Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller is about Annie Sullivan's life with Helen Keller. The story is told in the first person view of Annie and how she struggles with teaching Helen, who is blind and deaf. Although Annie had difficulties teaching Helen language with a series of hand gestures, she persevered and grew to love Helen as if she was her own. This novel would be suitable for middle school children who are able to comprehend what's happening within the book. Also, Miss Spitfire is an inspriational book to read to children as a way to help them see life from someone else's viewpoint who has a disability.
    • 5/5
      The struggles and story of Hellen Keller told through the eyes of Annie Sullivan. I really enjoyed this story because it show how determines Annie was to help Hellen. It shows the struggles children with disabilities go through just to live a normal life.
    • 5/5
      While reading Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller, I went through so many emotions. Everything that Annie Sullivan felt, I felt. It was such a great book. The book was not how I thought it would be, but I enjoyed it very much. At times, I thought Annie Sullivan was entirely too harsh, but as I read on I felt more okay with it. It was very interesting to see the story told from Annie Sullivan's point of view versus Hellen Keller's. I feel that I am more knowledgeable after reading this book. I would recommend this book to sixth through eighth graders because I think that they would be able to understand it best. I think that this book could open up a discussion about Helen Keller and disabilities.
    • 5/5
      Miss Spitfire is a book everyone should read. The story is about the life of Helen Keller. If you don't know who Helen Keller is, she was a girl who was both blind and deaf. Annie Sullivan, who is half-blind, arrives to teach Helen Keller. She is able to communicate with Helen Keller using various methods in order to get her to both see and hear. I think this is the best Helen Keller book I read so far and the book contained a good amount of details.
    • 4/5
      This novel is about Helen Keller's teacher, Annie. Miss Spitfire gives readers insight into Annie's past, and the difficulties she experienced growing up. Miller then takes the story to Annie's time and work with Helen, work that proved to be difficult and tiresome. However, Annie never gave up on Helen, and her efforts were successful. This novel would gives students a great account of a historical and inspirational figure. It would also shed light on the progress that has been made in the education of people with special needs.
    • 5/5
      Miss Spitfire is a story about Helen Keller's teacher, Annie. Annie tells her point of view as she goes through the trials and tribulations of Helen's life. I loved this book. Annie and Helen went through many obstacles in their lives. Commonly both being blind at one point. They learn to communicate with each other, and Helen connects with Annie. This book made me really think. At first I felt sympathy for Helen and Annie. I can't imagine being both blind and deaf, and trying to live your life as normal as possible. After reading this book, I felt like I could do anything. It gave me the motivation and drive, because Helen and Annie also had motivation and drive to succeed in life.
    • 4/5
      This book was not what I expected. It was the view point of Helen Keller's teacher. It was the struggles and the achievements of her as a teacher. You don't find to many books from the different point of views.
    • 4/5
      This story is about a girl named Annie who was half blind. She took a job helping to teach a child named Helen. Helen was blind and deaf. While trying to understand Helen's mindset, Annie went through multiple obstacles. She had to watch for swinging fists, scratching, and etc. The fits were terrible and Annie did not know how she would achieve her goal of helping Helen. So, they moved into a home next to the Keller's house where Helen would not have contact with her parents. Annie hoped that this move would help to build a relationship between the two. By the end of the story, Helen was able to name everything Annie had taught her. Very cute and inspiring book!
    • 5/5
      Everyone knows the story of Helen Keller but what about her hardworking caretakers? Miss Spitfire is about Anne Sullivan. We see how much she struggled with teaching a deaf, blind, and mute child. Not only does she have to teach Helen, but also deal with her doting parents that just downright spoil Helen. In this novel, we see how frustrating and stressful it was for Anne Sullivan during her years of taking care of Helen.
    • 4/5
      This book is about the story of Helen Keller. The book is talked through her teacher, Annie Sullivan. As you may know, Helen Keller is deaf and blind and this book describes her childhood and all the experiences that she had to go through. Being a young blind and deaf girl she learns how to communicate and connect meanings to certain words. This book also focuses on her teacher as well with the struggles and difficulties that the teacher had throughout her experience with Helen.
    • 5/5
      At first, I did not like this book very much, but as I read it, I loved it. It captures Annie's struggles with Helen. I could feel the emotion that everyone felt. The excerpts from real letters was a great addition. I liked reading from Annie's perspective, as most of the other Helen Keller books are from her perspective or a third person point of view.
    • 4/5
      Sarah Miller did an amazing job writing from Anne Sullivan's point of view and what she did to finally teach Hellen Keller to sign what she needed, instead of acting out the way she used to. I thought this book was very interesting. i don't know what I would ever do if I was in Hellen Keller or Anne I would not know how to react in this type of situation. Some might not be a fan of how Anne talked to or about Hellen at times, but its understandable that she felt frustrated when trying to teach her and being hit a numerous amount of times. This book can teach students the difficulties of such disabilities.
    • 4/5
      Miss Spitfire is based on Ann Sullivan's point of view while teaching Helen Keller. You were able to see the struggles Ann went through in order teach Helen how to understand the world around her. This is a great book and a great way to introduce students to biographical novels.
    • 5/5
      Once I picked this book up, I simple could not put it down. I enjoyed every part of it, and honestly wished that it would have gone on longer. I feel as though the book cut off too soon, but either way I would definitely teach this book to a class when learning about disabilities.
    • 5/5
      Anne Sullivan is "Miss Spitfire," teaches Hellen Keller how to communicate and understanding signs because Helen is deaf and blind. The story tells the readers the struggle that Anne faces dealing with figuring out how to teach Helen. It shows that Anne is a great teacher because she faced many obstacles with teaching Helen and she does not give up. She truly cares about helping Helen.
    • 3/5
      Told from the point of view of Annie Sullivan, the story of Helen Keller unfolds. A story of struggle, hope, never giving up, and ultimately triumph. Decent story, but a little slow to get into and harsh at times.