Words along wires - Peter Hepplewhite

In 1865, when Harriet is five, an attack of scarlet fever destroys her hearing. Yet she eventually learns to speak clearly - thanks to a very special teacher, Professor Bell. Inspired by his work with deaf children, Alexander Graham Bell is building an extraordinary new device, the telephone, that can send words along electric wires. Fascinated, Harriet watches her teacher's progress, knowing that she is seeing history in the making.

Peter Hepplewhite is an experienced writer of children's history and has taught the subject for many years. He is currently the Education Officer for Tyne & Wear Archives Service.