Dear Dr. Bell...Your Friend, Helen Keller [Paperback]

Judith St. George (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 22, 1993 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Helen Keller was only six years old when she met Dr. Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone. The meeting was an eventful one,marking the beginning of a lifelong friendship. It was Bell who guided Helen's parents to a teacher and helped Helen adjust to an extremely public life. "You can do anything you think you can," wrote Dr. Bell to Helen. "Remember that many will be brave in your courage."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1886 Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone and champion of education for deaf people, met an extraordinary six-year-old--a deaf, dumb and blind girl named Helen Keller. Out of that first encounter grew a 36-year friendship and a mutual support system that helped each to pursue the causes of dignity and education for people who are deaf and blind. Quoting generously from Keller's diaries and letters, St. George ( The Brooklyn Bridge ; Mason and Dixon's Line of Fire ) succeeds in conveying the intimacy shared by this pair. Readers will be fascinated at how two great people could also be such simple and loving friends. But St. George also outlines their lives during the course of the friendship, and this biographical information can't help but leave the impression that one short book cannot begin to cover the breadth of two such vibrant personalities. Still, this is a useful supplementary reference for young biography buffs. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-- St. George writes of the affectionate relationship between Alexander Graham Bell and Helen Keller. Despite Bell's fame as inventor of the telephone, his consuming lifelong interest was in helping those who were deaf, including his mother and wife. The author includes plenty of background about the two, covering their lives and many accomplishments in addition to providing the details of their friendship, from their first meeting when Keller was six, through the many encounters and letters until Bell's death. The tone is admiring of both people, but never overly so. A lively style and plenty of quotes from each person's writing and letters show the feelings and thoughts behind the friendship. Black-and-white photographs show scenes from both of their lives as well as of their times together. The author gives young readers added insight to both Keller's and Bell's lives; their story would be a good addition to libraries where books about the two are popular. --Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (October 22, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688128149
• ISBN-13: 978-0688128142
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #401,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Audrey S. review, April 19, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Dear Dr. Bell...Your Friend, Helen Keller (Paperback)

I liked this book a lot because it gave you a lot of info on Helen Keller, Anne Sullivan, and Dr. Alexander Graham Bell.

Helen Keller was struck by an illness that closed her eyes and ears as a new-born baby. She was only 19 months when this happened. When she was 6 years old her father and Aunt took her to see a famous eye doctor, who they thought might be able to restore her eyes. But the famous eye doctor could do nothing to help Helen's eyes. The doctor told the Keller's to get in touch with Dr. Alexander Graham Bell. The first meeting turned out to be the start of a life long friendship. He helped her through some hard times and gave her a teacher that showed her how to talk with her hands,say s few words by regular talking, and how to lip read. Helen Keller knew Anne Sullivan as teacher. Helen Keller, Dr. Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, and Anne Sullivan, Helen's teacher, are great people and did a lot of wonderful things in their life time.

I would recommend this book to someone who likes to read books about wonderful people and how they changed our world.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THE SOUND OF FRIENDSHIP, November 20, 2000

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dear Dr. Bell...Your Friend, Helen Keller (Paperback)

Dr. Alexander G. Bell, noted for his work with deaf persons (Dr. Bell's mother and wife were both deaf) served as a mentor for young Helen Keller. Both deaf and blind, she stirred an interest in Dr. Bell to further his work with the deaf. Charmed by the bright, vivacious child, Dr. Bell began corresponding with her regularly when she was still a child at the Perkins Institute for the Blind. A long term friendship developed and it was a real heartwarming treat to see how friendship rang out across their different generations.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Story of a Unique Friendship, July 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dear Dr. Bell...Your Friend, Helen Keller (Paperback)

Dr. Bell and Helen Keller were two of the most notable people living during the late 1800's and early 1900's. The depth of their friendship, and their encouragement of one another's life work, is a testimony to what two people can accomplish together. The author supplies many details about Dr. Bell and his work among the deaf. A recommended addition to any public or private library.