Two New Books - Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan

Where do we sit?  We sit side-by-side, carefully listening.  The way we look at the student, a spark of intent in our eyes, leaning in naturally, gives the student the sense that for the next few minutes he has our undivided attention.  It says to the reader that we have only one purpose--to listen.  It is a stunning act, sitting next to a young reader, waiting to be amazed?  It's like Anne Sullivan writing, "My heart is singing for joy this morning!  A miracle has happened!  The light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil's mind, and behold, all things are changed!"  And, who knows a reader might just trust himself a bit more if we choose to move in and listen--at just the right time."  (Conferring:  The Keystone of Reader's Workshop, page 153).

I used this quote (from The Story of My Life by Helen Keller) to describe the power of sitting next to a reader... discovering the joy they bring to their reading lives if we just listen to their thinking.  If we learn to confer, and confer well, we can see that "light of understanding" in all of our students.  Change happens.  If we learn to listen, it's an amazing gift.  

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I've loved Helen Keller's story since I saw The Miracle Worker when I was young; has anyone captured them better than Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke?  In fact, I played James Keller in our school production of the play in high school.  There's something about Helen's life that fascinates me.

     That's why I was excited to add Doreen Rappaport's book, Helen's Big World, to my collection.  And, who doesn't love illustrations by Matt Tavares; marvelous and detailed.  I love Doreen Rappaport's ability to "determine important ideas" and then weave them into beautifully written text that captures so eloquently the lives of her subjects.  This book is no exception.  She covers Helen's life from infancy to that moment at the water pump we've come to recognize as the breakthrough into Helen's world.  There's a simplicity to Rappaport's words that envelope the complicated world of a brilliant mind.  Anne Sullivan recognized Helen's potential and her love for Helen is revealed across time.  Knowing that Helen was able to overcome her own disabilities adds to the richness of this piece.  I appreciate how Ms. Rappaport weaves Helen's own words into the text.   

     In the classroom, I love using books about Helen Keller to engage students in the concept of "strengthening stamina and endurance."  Her drive, her interest in injustice and activism, her ability to face adversity... all because of an unknown illness that left her blind and mute at the age of 18 months.  It's a story that amazes me every time I read it.  We all know what happens when a wise teacher is able to engage and support the gifts of even the most reticent learner. 

     Another wonderful book I found at NCTE is Anne Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller.  It's a brilliant graphic novel by Joseph Lambert.  Lambert, too, puts a new twist on the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan.  The darkness and light of his illustrations are mesmerizing. 

   This text focuses on the lives of both Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller as they work to discover their own lives, paralleling Helen's struggles in the Keller home and Annie's in helping Helen learn.  It focuses on the struggles Helen had at the Perkins Institution when she was accused of plagarism.  It covers new territory, something that's not often explored in stories of Helen's and Annie's relationship.  Because it's a graphic novel, it requires close reading and lots of inferring.  I found the "Panel Discussions" in the back of the text compelling and thought-provoking.  In fact, I spent time rereading the text after reading the discussion.

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart - one of my favorite Helen Keller quotes.  And, adding these two books to my growing collection of books about Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan reminds me that learning about a subject you find intriguing never ends.  Thanks to Doreen Rappaport and Joseph Lambert for their brilliance. 

Around the World... Matt Phelan

Matt Phelan has a wonderful blog, have you seen it?  If not, check it out by clicking on his name.  He's become one of my favorite illustrators.    
     Of course, when I saw his latest graphic novel at IRA, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.  It's a whimsical journey about three adventurers--Thomas Stevens, Joshua Slocum, and Nellie Bly.  Thomas Stevens traveled in 1884 from San Francisco to Boston on a 50-inch bicycle.  Joshua Slocum was the first man to sail solo around the world in 1895.  Nellie Bly was a pioneer journalist who traveled around the world to beat the record of Phileas Fogg in 1889.  In typical Matt Phelan detail, he captures their adventures in graphic form.  It's beautifully drawn (as was his previous graphic novel, The Storm in the Barn) and he captures each tale in the spirit in which each adventurer must have lived.  He weaves an exciting story of three historical characters who whose bold endurance and stamina go beyond bravery.  Their willingness to focus on tasks some thought were unattainable paved the way for others who dared to dream!  The first line... It all began, as many great adventures begin, with a story... is perfect!

     I have the Advance Reading Copy from Candlewick Press and I can't wait to see the full color copy (coming October 2011).  If you're like me, you'll fall in love with his artwork.  Brilliant!

     I can see using parts of this book during a study of inferring.  But, mostly, I think it will help learners see how important it is to have a dream... and to go for it!

And thank you to Candlewick Press for the copy of the book! 

Copper...

I was never drawn to Kazu Kibuishi's work, although I know Amulet is very popular these days, but there was something special about Copper that I couldn't resist.  Perhaps it was the "Behind the Scenes" section at the end of the book that provides a detailed glimpse of his work and his studio.  Perhaps it was the look in the Fred and Cooper's eyes on the cover.  Perhaps it was just because once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down! 
     What started as a webcomic has expanded into a this collection of "stories."  And, they reminded me so much of the comic book adventures I read as a child.  I immediately became enthralled with Kibuishi's artistic abilities, his attention to detail, his sense of space, his perspective, his use of color, his portrayal of childhood.  One of my favorite "stories" is Picnic... a mainly army green portrait of one of Copper's dreams... or is it?  One look at the dog's eyes at the end of the story and you're not sure.  Or "Bridge" a delightful, one-pager dealing, I think, with childhood crushes.  There are so many great, graphic stories in this book. 
     Of course, it would be fun to do some inferring lessons with Copper, but it's more fun to sit and read and ponder Kazu Kibuishi's genius.  Perhaps I should give Amulet a chance?

Smile

There is something very endearing about this coming of age graphic novel.  It's funny, it's touching, it's beautifully illustrated.  I was conferring with a 5th grader in Kansas City earlier this week when she introduced it to me.

     You might know Raina Telgameier's work, she also illustrates the graphic novel series of The Baby Sitters Club.  There's something special about this book.  The main character, Raina, is a typical sixth grader who just happens to trip and fall and injure her two front teeth.  The result?  An orthodontic nightmare of braces, headgear, surgeries, a retainer and all the embarrassment it brings to a sixth grader's life (not to mention the friendship struggles, the boy-girl situations, the earthquake).  The plot of this book connects to the life of an adolescent with all its ups and downs.

     When I was conferring with the student in Kansas City, her eyes lit up as I sat next to her and she started talking about the book... about how real it felt, how it made her laugh, how fun it was to read, how much she was inferring as she was reading.  It's a book I can't wait for my own daughter to read.

     The best part - the author based it on her life.  On her website (http://goraina.com) when she was asked if she really knocked her teeth out, she said,"Yes! It’s all true. I was in sixth grade when I fell and knocked out my teeth, and I have been dealing with the consequences ever since. I had braces, a lot of surgery, and a lot of awkward smiles as a result. The comic SMILE was born out of a need to get the whole experience down on paper, since I spent so much time telling people about it."

     The artist's skill as a cartoonist and her brilliance as a writer take the reader to the days of adolescent adjustment and awkwardness.  But with dignity, humor, and insight.  I think it's a must read and a perfect book to discuss as a family.  You won't be disappointed.  Neither will your students.