Hannah (Stepping Stone, paper) [Paperback]

Gloria Whelan (Author), Leslie Bowman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up | Series: A Stepping Stone Book(TM)

Nine-year-old Hannah would do almost anything to go to school with all the other children in town. But Hannah is blind and her parents keep her at home where she is "safe." Then Lydia Robbin comes to town. She's a strong-willed teacher who accomplishes a small miracle: she convinces Hannah's parents to send her to school. At first Hannah is overjoyed. But she soon learns that there are many obstacles--and people-- that stand in the way of her education. Hannah will need tremendous courage to prove to her classmates, her parents and herself that Miss Robbin was right to believe in her.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-- A nine-year-old blind girl lives in the West of 1887. When the new teacher arrives , Hannah's mother is persuaded to allow her to go to school. The first day is a disaster, but is followed by better days as Hannah proves that she can learn by listening and finds out that she can get books in Braille. In the end the children band together under the leadership of the class bully to earn money to buy her a Braille writer. This is a gentle story that sensitively portrays Hannah's feelings, especially as she is taken on her first tour of the farm by the new teacher. However, the ending is too perfect, as the bully becomes concerned with someone else's welfare, and learning seems to be an easy matter for Hannah. And if the family has no money for a Braille writer, one wonders how they can get books in Braille. Hannah's mother too readily agrees for her to leave home and go to school, and some readers are sure to wonder why no survival skills were taught to a child of this period. Bowan's realistic pencil drawings are well placed and greatly enhance the book's drama and appeal. Pleasant, but not really believable. --Margaret C. Howell, West Springfield Elementary School, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A touching, believable story with strong characterizations and sense of place."-- The Horn Book
"Gloria Whelan offers a warm, believable picture of a blind child as she takes her first steps on the long road toward independence."-- The Braille Monitor
"Nine-year-old Hannah, living on a farm in 1887 Michigan, is referred to as 'poor Hannah' because she is blind. In this brief historical novel, Hannah tells of a turning point in her life when Miss Robbin, the new teacher, comes to board with them and eventually persuades the family to let Hannah attend school. A touching, believable story with strong characterizations and sense of place."--Horn Book.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (April 19, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067982698X
• ISBN-13: 978-0679826989
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.2 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,895 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Special Needs > Fiction

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hannah is wonderful, July 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Hannah (Stepping Stone, paper) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful story set in the late 1800's. The story is about a little girl who is blind. No one has ever allowed Hannah to try to do anything for herself. That is, until a new teacher comes to town. She is always referred to as "poor Hannah". At first glance this is a story about a teacher who helps a little blind girl succeed in her struggle to become more independent. Not only does Hannah struggle with independence, but her parents struggle even harder with the thought of Hannah trying and failing at doing things herself. However, the end message is that not only does she learn courage, but family and friends learn about courage also. Everyone wins in this story. Enjoy!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice story, May 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Hannah (Stepping Stone, paper) (Paperback)

This book does a good job dealing with the subject of blindness. Hannah is considered the "poor blind child" at the beginning, until a new teacher comes to town who encourages her parents to allow Hannah to attend school with all of the other children. Hannah does blossom, makes friends, and is introduced to braille. My only wish for this book would have been to give Hannah a cane to become independent in her mobility, as she only led around by people and does does get lost on her own once. But all in all, this is a very nice story.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hannah, February 14, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Hannah (Stepping Stone, paper) (Paperback)

Hannah by Gloria Whelan

Do you know anybody that's blind? Well, if
you do or don't, then you should check out Hannah
by Gloria Whelan. It's a great book about a girl
named Hannah. She will bring happiness and
sadness to your heart.
I learned that blind people can still be like
normal people. Hannah reminded me of Helen
Keller. So, please read Hannah!