Louis Braille: The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind

Summary: This book about Louise Braille gives a detailed account of the events that took place in Louis’s life from the injury at age three that led to his blindness through his journey to the school for the blind in Paris. The book recounts Louis’s determination to find a way for blind people

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to be able to read and the many different things that were attempted during his lifetime before the invention of the raised dot alphabet. Louis’s invention of the raised dot alphabet changed the lives of blind people all over the world and this book does a great job of explaining some of the challenges Louis faced in developing his alphabet.

Personal Reflection: I really enjoyed this book. I am completely fascinated by the Braille alphabet and find the steps that he took to develop the raised dot alphabet inspiring. He never gave up on his goal even when faced with terrible sickness not to mention his blindness. I think the determination he shows is a great encouragement for our students that face disabilities’ of all kinds.

Classroom Extension:
1. This is a great book to use in a study of inventors. Students could attempt to write with different objects recreating the raised dot alphabet and then try to read each others’ messages.
2. This would be a great book for students with disabilities to show them that you can’t give up on your dreams just because you are faced with limitations.
3. A good activity would be to have the students blindfold themselves and then try to find their way around the classroom learning how difficult it would be for a blind person.
4. Another activity would be to have someone in the community who deals with the disability of blindness come in and talk to the students about overcoming challenges.

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