Reviews

Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller

ancard's review against another edition

5.0

Did not want to have this book end. When I read it I wished it would keep going.

becxreadz's review

5.0

Really enjoyed this story. It's the first actual book (not ebook) that I've been able to get into in a long time. I enjoy reading fiction books with nonfictional aspects.

luaucow's review against another edition

4.0

As a child I read a lot of books about Helen Keller. For some reason I found her story particularly interesting. This book is a bit different than anything I've ever read, because it tells the story from the perspective of Anne Sullivan. And it doesn't portray her as a saint, as books often do. A good book.

bethmitcham's review

4.0

Interesting biography that didn't shy away from making Annie Sullivan immature, insecure, and willing to hurt Helen to get her where she should be.

evila_elf's review

4.0

This book really reads like an autobiography. It is very clear that the author did her research and did a wonderful job at getting inside Anne Sullivan's head.

The book did start to drag a little in the middle and I wasn't quite feeling the connection, or disconnection, of Helen knowing words, but not connecting *with* the words.

Then, after the famous 'water' scene, the book pretty much ended. I would have liked to see more. Or, basically, I didn't want the book to end. And there are a good number of photos, as well, in the back of the book.

toggle_fow's review

4.0

I was familiar with the water-pump climax of the story from some readings I had to do on Helen Keller in grade school, but it was fascinating to see more of the story from the beginning. The knock-down-drag-outs Annie Sullivan had with Helen were emotionally exhausting, and the final triumph was great; it's amazing to see Helen leap from being trapped as a creature of raw impulse, to being able to understand and interact with the world around her.