Customer Reviews

Katherine's Story (The Girls of Lighthouse Lane, Book 1)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Twelve-year-old Katherine Williams, called Kat by her family and friends, is the daughter of the lighthouse keeper in Cape Light, Massachusetts, in 1905. Kat loves to paint and hopes to be a famous artist, but she is discouraged by the fact that her family does not support her dream, and that almost all renowned painters have been men. Kat soon gets an opportunity to study art at a school in Boston, but her parents, who struggle to make ends meet, cannot afford to send her there. Kat is determined to earn the tuition by herself. In the process, she learns valuable lessons about home and family.

This was a charming book that young girls who enjoy historical fiction are sure to enjoy, with it's old fashioned setting and likable characters.

First of all I would just like to say this is the best book ever! After stumbling upon this book in the library I couldn't put it down. I finished it the day I got it! It is about a girl who dreams of more than living in a small fishing village called Cape Light. But, twists and turns through out the book make her realize something very important... I think this is a wonderful book! I suggest it to girls Grade 5 and up.

There very tuching, hart warming storys. My mom got it out of the library for me. I didn't want to read when I read it I couldn't put it down!You should read it to!

The year is 1905. Twelve-year-old Katherine "Kat" Williams leads a content life in Cape Light, along with her family, tending the town's lighthouse. But Kat's true passion is art. She eats, sleeps, dreams, and breathes art, and would do anything to have the opportunity to earn enough money to buy even more art supplies to fuel her hobby. But after a life-changing decision, Kat may just be able to do more than purchase art supplies.

Weather is unpredictable in Cape Light, which is why Kat and her friends Lizabeth and Amanda take advantage of every spring breeze, autumn pile of leaves, and ice-covered lake. Unfortunately, since the girls are nearing thirteen, it is unladylike of them to indulge in such childish behaviors. Luckily, Kat has a separate hobby. One that is proper, and keeps her imagination flowing - art. It is while she is creating her latest masterpiece, during her lighthouse watch, that a storm hits Cape Light, and Kat is left on her own, trying to direct a boat safely to shore. As traumatic and harrowing as the experience is, Kat is gifted with the opportunity of a lifetime - to attend art school in Boston. The only problem is that it costs fifty dollars to attend, and her family certainly can't afford such an exorbitant fee. So Kat comes up with a compromise. If she can pay half of the money, her father will pay the other half, and she'll be on her way. But earning twenty-five dollars isn't as simple as it sounds - even when you have your best friends helping you along the way. And when her father breaks his promise, and doesn't hand over his share of the money, Kat is furious. She refuses to accept the fact that she can't attend the school of her dreams, and does the unthinkable - she runs away. Now, it's only her faith in God that will lead her back home, safe and sound.

I have been a huge fan of Thomas Kinkade's paintings ever since I saw them for the first time many years ago; so I was absolutely thrilled to learn that he had teamed up with Erika Tamar to create a historical book series that featured his art, paired with Tamar's wonderful writing. KATHERINE'S STORY is very reminiscent of Lois Gladys Leppard's MANDIE book series. The tragedies Kat must overcome as she attempts to follow her dreams are quite original; while, overall, she is a very resourceful character, determined to find any way to earn the money that she needs. I found Kat to be quite enjoyable; however, at times she displayed such selfishness, that I found myself taken aback, and fed up with her attitude. Tamar's descriptions of Cape Light, and the faith undertones were wonderful. And the cover illustration by Kinkade was absolutely beautiful to look at; though it would have been nice to, perhaps, see some sketches by him throughout the story. Even so, KATHERINE'S STORY was still fairly fun. A satisfying start to a delightful new series!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Join Kat on her adventure as a stowaway on a boat only to find the water rising around her feet. Katherine's Story by Erika Tamer is from the series The Girls of Lighthouse Lane. The main characters are Kat who is adventerous,and friends Rose,Lizabeth,and Amanda who are encouaging to Kat. Kat lives in the New-England town of Cape Light and the story is set in the fall of 1905. Kat wants to be a famous artist but she was told that most famous artists are men. She needs to earn [...] to go to an art school. Her father said he would pay [...] if Kat paid the other half.

In the beginning of the story on a stormy night Kat was on duty at the lighthouse. She saw a boat trying to follow the light to shore when the guide light went out. Kat had to grab a lantern and go to the shore and guide the boat to shore. In the middle of the story the couple Kat saved gave her a chance to go to art school in Boston. Now she earns half of the money, but her father doesn't have the other half. To find out what happens read the book.

The theme of this book is follow your dreams but still listen to your parents. This book reminded me of when I toured the St. Michael's Lighthouse. It looked cozy and I thought it would be fun to live in it. Girls in 4th-6th grade who enjoy figuring out how to earn money and enjoy adventure would love this book.

B.V. in Annapolis

I found Kat's Story to be a very interesting story. She lives in a beautiful setting, where it seems to be a comfortable place to live. Her cousin and her two best friends did a lot together, and showed how much of best friends they are. I love books that are based on the old times. Kat is a determined young girl to be an artist. She went through many disappointments, but didn't let them stop her. Her determation to be an artist, took her through a loophole which woke her parents up, and made them realize how serious she was. I don't understand the one who gave it a one star rating. It's a good book for young girls starting at age 9 to 15. I'd love to get a hold to the other three books by Erika Tamar & Thomas Kinkade

I got the book from the libray and didnt want to read it but then i read it an d couldnt put it down.lol

In 1905 New England, thirteen-year old Katherine Williams loves life in the quaint village of Cape Light. Known to her friends as Kat, she dreams of one day being a famous artist living in a big city.

Kat's father is a lighthouse keeper and Kat helps with many of the lighthouse duties. Each night she takes the first watch from dusk until midnight. When the light fails during a storm, Kat is instrumental in helping a Boston couple avoid a shipwreck. The couple is so grateful for Kat's help that they arrange an invitation to a prestigious art school in Boston for the girl. Tuition is expensive, though, and Kat's parents cannot afford it. However, if Kat can come up with half of the tuition fee, her parents will pay the other half.

With the help of her friend Amanda and her cousin Lizabeth, Kat tries to earn her half of the money. After two failed entrepreneurial attempts, Kat has success selling hand-painted wrapping paper to several local shops. This allows her to earn her half of the tuition fee. When an unexpected expense leaves her father unable to pay the rest, Kat is furious at her parents. She makes a rash decision that could cost her something far more precious than just the chance to attend art school -- it could cost her her life.

Erika Tamar captures the ups and downs of teenage emotions very well, unfortunately this meant that Kat's character irritated me for most of the book. With each poor decision that she made, I found her more difficult to like. However, Cape Light is a very charming setting and the friendship between the three girls seems genuine. Inspired by the paintings of Thomas Kinkade, this entertaining and wholesome series will likely appeal to young girls.

Very poor writing and not appropriate for the age level.
Suggestive and depressing. I returned this book.