Helen Keller: Courage in the Dark (Step-Into-Reading, Step 4) [Paperback]

Johanna Hurwitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 1997 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

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.  

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

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.  

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers; Copryight 1997 edition (November 11, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679877053
• ISBN-13: 978-0679877059
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #177,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Special Needs > Nonfiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on communications, September 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Helen Keller: Courage in the Dark (Step-Into-Reading, Step 4) (Paperback)

I used this book with my second grade children in a unit on communications. They were fascinated by the story and learned a lot of new vocabulary words. The book's content was such that my children were able to try to imagine what it would be like to be deaf, blind, or both. The book was also a springboard for discussion on courage, perseverance, determination, and achieving goals, as it gave concrete examples of these abstract concepts. We also used the book to learn a little geography as we traced the path of Helen's travels on a map. It includes a picture of the Braille alphabet, which we used to write and "decode" messages, an exercise the kids loved! Contrary to the opinion of another reviewer, we really liked the artwork and the content. Obviously, I recommend this book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!, July 3, 2002

By 

SabrinaKC - See all my reviews

This review is from: Helen Keller: Courage in the Dark (Step-Into-Reading, Step 4) (Paperback)

I first read this book to my daughter when she was 5 years old, and she has been fascinated with Helen Keller ever since. We have read and reread this book numerous times, and she never loses interest. This led to buying other Helen Keller books and an interest in learning sign language. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a young child. It's a great book for getting a child interested in true stories/biographies!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book for Beginning Reader, June 11, 2006

By 

djonn "djonn" (Toronto, On) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Helen Keller: Courage in the Dark (Step-Into-Reading, Step 4) (Paperback)

Because of my husband's work, we have unfortunately had to move around quite a bit. I was looking for English books for my 8 year old that would be at her reading level yet would be engaging. This fit the bill.

My daughter eagerly read the book (and has read it several times now) and has begun to ask me many questions about Helen Keller, braille, blindness and deafness, etc. Marvellous! I was quite pleased with the results.

I did not purchase this book as an historical treatise and so did not expect it to go at length into Helen Keller's life. But my daughter could relate to the story of a young girl who is presented with tremendous challenges and not only overcomes but succeeds in living a fruitful, rewarding and exemplary life. Because it is written in a "chewable" English, she didn't give up on the book. I found this book to be very positive.

The "Step Into Reading" series on the whole I found to be very good. Historical topics tend to be chosen rather than "fairy" stories for content. The writing style is challenging but not out-of-reach. And the books are engaging.

I do not hesitate to recommend this book for 6 - 8 year olds. Encouraging girls to read about positive female role models - - I do think Helen Keller would approve.