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.
For Annie, reaching Helen’s mind meant losing teeth as raging fists flew. It meant standing up when everyone else had given up. It meant shedding tears at the frustrations and at the triumphs. By telling this inspiring story from Annie Sullivan’s point of view, Sarah Miller’s debut novel brings an amazing figure to sharp new life. Annie’s past, her brazen determination, and her connection to the girl who would call her Teacher have never been clearer.
Alabama Children’s Choice Book Award Nominee
ALA/YALSA Best Book for Young Adults
ALSC Notable Children's Recording
Book Links Lasting Connections of 2007 Title
Booklist Editors’ Choice
Booklist Top 10 First Novels for Youth
Booklist Top 10 First Novels for Youth on Audio 2010
Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth
CCBC Choices 2008 selection
Cybils Award Middle Grade Finalist
Great Lakes Book Award Finalist
Jefferson Cup Honor Book
Prairie Pasque Book Award Nominee
Readergirlz featured title for December 2007
South Carolina Junior Book Award Nominee
Virginia Reader’s Choice Award Nominee
William Allen White Children's Book Award Nominee
Dana Sheridan at The Bibliofiles, Cotsen Children’s Library, Princeton University
With Felicity
With Noel DeVries
With Becky
With the Embracing the Child Team
With Sharon Pajka
With Laura Bowers
With Erin McIntosh
With Little Willow