Written by Myron Uhlberg
Illustrated by Jenn KocsmierskyPublished by Albert Whitman, October, 2020
Review
Me: This is a true story. It's a biography.
T: Yeah, I know that, Mom.
Alternating between biography and biographical fiction, Uhlberg introduces Helen Keller in such a way that young readers can identify with Helen, empathize with her experience, and understand the significance of her historical achievements. Uhlberg embeds excerpts from Ms. Keller's own memoirs, further anchoring the narrative of Keller's early life in reality. By alternating between straight biographical data and biographical fiction, readers learn the setting in which Keller lived and experience events and feelings first-hand. T was engrossed in the trestle bridge episode where Helen, her sister, and her teacher must all shelter from a train beneath its tracks. He talked about how his teacher has him "tap out" words with his fingers, connecting with Helen learning to spell words with her fingers. T also read along with my for portions of the text. My Name is Helen Keller is an excellent first biography of Helen Keller. "Well told!" says this fan of The Miracle Worker.
Back matter includes a timeline of Keller's life and the manual sign alphabet.
Note: A review copy was provided for the purpose of an honest review. All thoughts are our own.
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