Recounts how the young Helen Keller, left blind and deaf by a childhood illness, learned to communicate with the world.

When a childhood illness leaves her blind and deaf, Helen Keller's life seems hopeless indeed. But her indomitable will and the help of a devoted teacher empower Helen to triumph over incredible adversity. This amazing true story is finally brought to the beginner reader level.

At only nineteen months old, Helen Keller contracted a childhood illness that left her permanently blind and deaf. As a mature, confident woman, she showed the world that people with disabilities should not-and would not-be pushed aside. Helen was a wild, uncontrollable child who was frustrated by her inability to communicate with others. But after nearly two decades of work led by her teacher, Annie Sullivan, Helen not only learned to express herself through language, she became an author, a political activist, a lecturer, and a vaudeville performer. She worked tirelessly as an advocate and fundraiser on behalf of blind and deaf people. Helen Keller has enabled generations of people with similar challenges to excel beyond their wildest dreams. Book jacket.

"When Helen Keller was two years old, she got a terrible disease that left her deaf, blind, and mute. Despite her challenges, she worked hard to speak, read, and write -- and inspired many people to do similar"--Back cover

A simple biography of the blind and deaf woman who spent her life writing and helping others with similar disabilities.

Help kids ages 6 to 9 discover the life of Helen Keller—a story about hope, courage, and finding your voice Helen Keller was a celebrated author, educator, and activist who believed in equality for people with disabilities. Before she made history as the first deaf and blind person to graduate from college, Helen was a smart kid who loved learning. She overcame many challenges to learn how to read, write, and talk. She spoke up for other people with disabilities so they could get equal rights. Explore how Helen Keller went from being a young girl in Alabama to the world-famous First Lady of Courage. Independent reading—This Helen Keller biography is broken down into short chapters and simple language so kids 6 to 9 can read and learn on their own. Critical thinking—Kids will learn the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of Helen's life, find definitions of new words, discussion questions, and more. A lasting legacy—Find out how Helen made the world a more equal place for future generations. How will the extraordinary journey of Helen Keller inspire you? Discover activists, artists, athletes, and more from across history with the rest of the Story Of series, including famous figures like: Marie Curie, Selena Quintanilla, Frida Kahlo, Malala Yousafzai, and Jane Goodall.

From the age of a year and a half, Helen Keller could not hear. She could not see, and she did not speak. She lived in a dark and lonely world--until Annie Sullivan came to teach her. Annie traced letters and words in Helen's hand, and made Helen realize she could "talk" to people. Eager to make up for lost time, Helen threw herself into her studies. She decided to teach others about the special training deaf and blind children need. Helen traveled all over the globe and raised money to start up schools for deaf and blind children. Her courage and her determination to help others conquer the odds against them earned her the respect and admiration of the world.