Keeper of the Light (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6AThis tale of courage and survival features a lighthouse keeper's daughter in the 1870s. Faith helped her father tend his light off Lake Superior until he drowned attempting a lifeboat rescue during a storm. She serves for five months as interim keeper, with no adult assistance. When Nathaniel Kent is appointed to replace her permanently, his keeping falls short of Faith's standards. Finally she intervenes at the point of a crisis, in an exciting race for time that saves the lives of her mother and his uncle. That Faith succeeds in this setting without compromising her femininity provides the balance and texture that make the book work. The tense, fast-paced rescue segment after Nat lets the light go out during a tumultuous storm features Faith's torching of her little brother's beach play fort as a beacon for a ship. This rescue rips along like a film's chase scene and broadens audience appeal. A short bibliography suggests adult books on lighthouses, their history, and female keepers. Resourceful daughters of keepers inhabit children's literature as symbols of children's determination, commitment, and power. This one is no exception.ALiza Bliss, Worcester Public Library, MA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Kirkus Reviews

Following in the footsteps of the lighthouse keepers found in Peter and Connie Roop's Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie (1985, not reviewed) and Deborah Hopkinson's Birdie's Lighthouse (p. 722), Faith keeps the oil burning on the shores of Lake Superior on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in a story set more than 100 years ago. After her father's untimely death trying to rescue a schooner, Faith takes charge of the lighthouse duties, considered man's work. When her father's replacement finally arrives, Faith reluctantly moves to town, where she spills tea, ruins her boots, wears trousers, and skips school, to the consternation of her mother. The adventure scenes, e.g., when Faith sneaks on horseback out to the lighthouse, are taut with suspense, although the formal language and contrived dialogue distract from the fast-paced action. Faith as girl-heroine-in-a-man's-world becomes overly self-conscious, until readers will feel fairly hit over the head with the fact that she is independent, capable, and going against convention. Nevertheless, there are many rousing moments in Curtis's first book, about a girl as ``strong as a fall storm on the lake.'' (bibliography) (Fiction. 10-14) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin; Reprint edition (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689852525
• ISBN-13: 978-0689852527
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,384,434 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an engaging, well-written first novel., December 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Keeper of the Light (Hardcover)

Keeper of the Light is a well-written, well-researched, and dramatic story of a young woman in the 1870s who tries to carry on as keeper of a lighthouse on Lake Superior after her father's death. Despite conflicts with her mother, who wishes to moves to town, and the prevailing attitude of most male characters that she is unable to fulfill these duties, Faith Sutton, the young protagonist, remains committed to her mission and, in an exciting climax to the book's action, becomes a heroine. I found the book to be dramatic and well-written, especially the descriptive passages about nature and the duties of lighthouse-keeping. The minor characters, especially Faith's younger brother, Willy, and her best friend, Cassie, are well-depicted. The book held my attention throughout and I would highly recommend it to young readers or adults interested in children's literature.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful story!!, September 28, 2003

By	Jenny & Joan Boyce "birchpt2" (McFarland, WI USA) - See all my reviews

After a weekend excursion to the area, including the Shipwreck Museum, the book truly brought the area to life. Very enjoyable book for all ages!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, January 8, 2004

By	Lisa Witter (Wauzeka, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Keeper of the Light (Hardcover)

A definite must read! Patricia did her research on this one. Interesting history on lighthouses, the equipment, and how shipwrecked victims were saved. I couldn't put it down! Could use a sequel-Nat and Faith???