Kate's Light: Kate Walker at Robbins Reef Lighthouse (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780823443482)

The heroic true story of one of the Eastern seaboard's first woman lighthouse keepers, illustrated by a Caldecott Medalist.

Living in the isolated Robbins Reef Lighthouse, overlooking turn-of-the-century New York Harbor, Kate Walker spent her life minding the light, keeping passing ships from running aground on the dangerous shoals. Originally the assistant to her lighthouse keeper husband John Walker, after his death Kate convinced the Lighthouse Board that she was able to manage the hard work on her own.

For more than three decades, Kate lived a solitary life, often totally isolated from the mainland by rough seas and dangerous storms. Tending to the lamps and ringing the heavy warning bell, she helped ships avert disaster-- and saved many sailors from the cold, choppy waters when disaster struck.

Elizabeth Spires describes the joys and hardships of a life at sea, detailing pivotal moments in Walker's life to show her indomitable spirit, and celebrates the determination that drove Kate to keep her home and her livelihood. Paired with Emily Arnold McCully's atmospheric, vivid watercolor-and-ink illustrations of lonely lighthouses, sun-dappled afternoons, and wrathful storms, this gripping picture book brings turn of the century New York to life.

Additional material in the back of the book includes a biographical note about Kate Walker, historical photographs of Kate and her home at Robbins Reef Lighthouse, reproductions of an historical map of New York Harbor, and a list of sources for more information.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A Mighty Girl Best Book of the Year
A CCBC Choice

Author: Elizabeth Spires
ISBN-10: 0823443485
ISBN-13: 9780823443482
Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books
Language: English
Published: 01/12/2021
Pages: 40
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 10.60h x 8.40w x 0.40d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.2
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 511967 / Kate's Light: Kate Walker at Robbins Reef Lighthouse


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 11/01/2020
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 12/01/2020
Publishers Weekly 11/23/2020
Booklist 12/01/2020 pg. 37
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2021 pg. 125
School Library Journal 01/28/2022 pg. 1
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2021 - Superior,Well Above Average