Katherine's Story

The Girls of Lighthouse Lane #1

by Thomas Kinkade, Erika Tamar

Katherine is the daughter of the lighthouse keeper. She dreams of becoming a painter. But in 1905, a girl can't grow up to be a famous artist -- can she? Rose just moved to the town of Cape Light. She wants to fit in with her new friends, but Rose has a secret she can't share with anyone. . . . Lizabeth is Kat's rich cousin who always gets what she wants. But Lizabeth soon finds out that money can't keep her from losing the most precious thing of all. . . . Amanda's mother passed away, and now Amanda keeps house for her minister father. When she meets a very special young man, can she find the courage to be friends with him in spite of her father's disapproval? The quiet New England town of Cape Light never seems to change. But in the year 1905, the lives of these four friends will be transformed in ways they never could have imagined. . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Historical, Young Adult, Christian

176 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Thomas Kinkade was known as the "Painter of Light." His works, although spurned by the secular art establishment, were very popular with Christians and many others.

Reviews

[Hannah Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen. These books are my comfort series. I’ve read them every year (or every other year) from when I was a pre-teen (10? 11? 12?) to now, and I don’t plan on stopping. They’re short, fast, and I love visiting the Girls of Lighthouse Lane. 😭💜 And the Thomas Kinkade pictures just make me homesick for a place I’ve never been.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Brittney Dods · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series was one of my childhood favorites! The characters were great and the stories just magical =) Loved them so much and still do

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Allan67 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that I read to Diana. We can't do much anymore after her stroke, so I read to her to spend time together. Diana has always loved to have someone to read to her - and I like to do just that.

Katherine has big dreams about attending a private school in Boston. She learns an important lesson about what is really important in life.

It's an entertaining book, Diana rated it four stars.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

each girl is different and has her own story. a good set of stories for young girls.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad to see historical fiction for the younger reader. Good story. Looking forward to the others in the series.

[Luminous Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This nostalgic read made me feel like I had stepped inside of a Thomas Kinkade seaside painting! The setting was charming and there are some lovely themes of friendship. However, there are times when Kat, the main character, becomes disrespectful and deceptive towards her parents. Yet, she ultimately faces the consequences of her actions, learning a valuable lesson about honesty and the importance of family.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I remembered reading this when I was child but I actually hadn't. Now as an adult having read this I can say I genuinely enjoyed this book. It's a great book for young readers that teaches a lesson without being heavy handed with it. It also isn't graphic or obscene which some parents may like.
Overall I definitely recommend this book.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, simple, meaningful story for younger readers. Looking forward to the rest of the series! Love the setting.

[Your Common House Bat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rather enjoyed Katherine's story. I didn't like it as much as the following two books in the series but it was still a really neat read. Most of all, I loved the setting.

[Sherry Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book series was one of my favorite growing up! It’s so nostalgic going back to it after all of these years!!

[Sue Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story
love the inspiration to follow her dreams
and very cool reading about times long ago

[Amber (Her Home and Hearts) Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I would say it's for teens and older. There is mention of girls noticing boys and vice versa, blushing, teasing about liking someone - all very mild. The girls are 13-14 years old. These are the days when young ladies married much younger so take that into consideration. This book had me hooked by chapter 3 - there really was some on the edge of your seat moments. Kat has some moments of parental disrespect, selfishness, lying, and even runs away from home and stows-away on a fishing boat. All of these things are seen as wrong and she does suffer consequences for her actions. She also makes restitution with her parents, brother, and friends. All in all I recommend this book. Perhaps it will come back into print again.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute series for girls. Each book features one girl who lives on Lighthouse Lane in a quaint Maine town in 1905.The girls are good friends.

In this book, Katherine is the lighthouse keeper's daughter. She is a good artist and longs to go away to school in Boston to learn to draw properly. Her father promises her that if she can earn half of the tuition, or $25, that he will give her the other half to attend a Boston school. However, after Kat and her friends earn the $25, papa's share must go to fix the roof. Her dreams dashed, there's only one thing left to do and that's run away.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story about Katherine (Kat)who lived in the early 1900's. Her father was keeper of the lighthouse. More than anything, Kat wanted to be an artist, and she foolishly stowed aboard a fishing vessel hoping to get to Boston so she could go to art school.

I'm not sure what Thomas Kinkade had to do with this book. I guess he painted the picture on the cover. But it is a sweet little book for ages 10 and up.

[April Suter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book one in the series: four young girls become very close friends in Cape Light during the early 1900's. Katherine wants to pursue studying art but the family takes care of the lighthouse and has many children so the money is just not there. She saves a couple during a storm so that just might be the outlet to getting off the island.

This is a cute middle school series for girls.

165 pages

[Cws]

JEAR3-Tam

[Chantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

very cute series/ book. Kat longs to be a famous artist, and when the opportunity of a life time comes her way her parents refuse to let her go, nad Kat decides to run away. Heart felt and loving.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, clean, fast read. Great for teenage girls.