Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie

On My Own History

by Peter Roop

In the winter of 1856, a storm delays the lighthouse keeper's return to an island off the coast of Maine, and his daughter Abbie must keep the lights burning by herself.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Historical, 2nd Grade, Adventure

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Peter Roop is an award-winning author and educator who has written over one hundred children’s books including biographies, novels, humor, picture books, and science books. Seven of his books are Reading Rainbow books, including the Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie. In 2013, the Wisconsin Library Association recognized Peter and his wife, Connie Roop, as Notable Wisconsin Authors for their body of work, and Peter has been named a Wisconsin State Teacher of the Year. The Roops live in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this one takes me back. I remember "watching" this book on Reading Rainbow as a child. Even reading it now, I can still "hear" the seafaring music that played in the background. I had no idea it took place in Maine (my home state), though I guess it shouldn't surprise me. It's a story of a girl who has to tend the lighthouse lights night after night, while her father is kept away by a storm. Even with the simple text and short sentences of the reader-style book, I still found the story moving.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighthouse keepers and their families used to have to do a lot of work to keep the lights burning. Abbie was given the responsibility to keep the lights burning by her father. She was dedicated even during a terrible storm and flood. Great read aloud!

[Karen Witzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorite tale of a courageous 16 year old. This is a chapter book for early readers. Highly recommended.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this fictionalized biography. It illustrates how we can do hard things when needed. Abbie helps her father with the lighthouse but when he leaves for badly needed supplies his return is delayed by a long and large storm. Abbie is nervous about keeping the lighthouse lights burning but not only accomplishes that but helps with the other needs during the storm while her mother is sick.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember this book from the classic series that we always watched in class! It was Booktube for the 90's. I'm not really sure why this book always stuck out in my mind as it's just a story about a girl watching (and of course) keeping a light house burning sometime in the 19th century. I always thought this was set in England/ Europe for some reason, apparently its in coastal Maine! Who would have thought!

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about a child who does a hard thing—a really-truly hard thing, not just talking to somebody or playing in a concert. I think it's good for kids to hear stories like this.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love lighthouses and lighthouse keepers so I was so excited about finding a book about this topic, and a real story based on a girl who really did all these things in the book was even better. I thought it would be a picture book, not this paperback format, so I didn't like the look of it when I got it. The illustrations are these loose, not detailed images that I don't like. Some pages are colored and some are black and white which I didn't get and didn't like. They should all be in color.

I liked the authors' note in the beginning detailed Abbie Burgess' real life and actions. Her dad became lighthouse keeper in 1853 at Matinicus Rock. On Jan 19 1856 he went for supplies and Abbie was left to light the lamps while he was gone. A storm came up that lasted 4 weeks and he couldn't return until after that. She continued taking care of the lighthouse for the rest of her life.

I liked the little details I picked up while reading, how the lights needed oil, the wicks had to be trimmed, the lamps cleaned and the oil put in. They had to use matches to light the wicks. At one point she had to get up during the night and scrape ice from the windows because they iced over and the lights couldn't be seen from sea.

It was just an okay story. Since it's for kids, the sentences are really simple and short. There wasn't much detail aside from what I've just listed and I found myself wanted more information on the keeping of the lighthouse and the schedule. The illustrations weren't to my liking so I didn't enjoy looking at them and I didn't enjoy the easy, simple sentences that didn't convey much.

[Jodie Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical fiction book about based on the true story of Abbie Burgess. Abbie’s father is a lighthouse keeper, but in the winter of 1856, he needs to leave by sea to get medicine for Abbie’s sick mother. Abbie does not know when he will be returning. She is the oldest child, so it is her job to keep the lights in the lighthouse burning to keep the ships safe and to bring her father back safely.

I recommend the book for grades K-2. Students could make connections to social studies by comparing and contrasting the time period in this book to today. Students could create Venn diagrams as a class, then write a short narrative or draw pictures in their journal about how their lives would be different in 1856.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attractive watercolor illustrations and an engaging story that features children in the thick of the action. Based on historical sources.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie (On my own Story) by Peter Roop, Connie Roop, Illustrator Peter E Hanson- Children’s book- I have read this book in Hindi language. In early 19th century, light houses were erected on sea coast where large rocks were found. The reason was to guide the ships away from rocks. Light houses were constructed on the highest rock so that they could be visible for a distance to the ships. The story is a historical fiction book about based on the true story of 16- year old Abbie Burgess. Abbie’s father is a lighthouse keeper at Matternix Rock in Maine USA, but in the winter of 1856 (19th January, 1856), he needs to leave by sea to get medicine for Abbie’s sick mother Mahla, oil for lamps & grains for the three hens named Hope, Patience and Charity. Abbie does not know when he will be returning. She is the oldest child, so it is her job to keep the lights in the lighthouse burning to keep the ships safe and to bring her father back safely. A long large storm starts soon and it lasts for four weeks. Her father moves out in his boat named Muffin. Esther & Lida are her younger sister who helps in domestic work. Her brother Benzi had gone on a mission to catch fish. There are two light houses with four lamps each. Abbie has to keep these lamps burning during the night. For these four weeks she has to fill the oil lamps, trim the wicks, scrap ice off the glass windows. Main gate of the light house always remained open. When sea water entered the area, Abbie closed the large wooden gate. She brought the three chicken to her upper story for safety. Eggs laid by their chicken was the only food item available for the family. After four weeks, the storm ebbed and her father returned in the evening. He had brought medicine, oil, posts and food in wooden packed boxes. In remembrance of Abbie, a small model of light house has been erected on the grave of Abbie. Rainbow reading in schools has helped children to learn stores with the help of background music and coloured paintings.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was young. It made a big impression on me when I saw it featured on “Reading Rainbow” way back when. I always appreciated books with courageous, intelligent kids and Abbie certainly was a real-life heroine. Reading this book now with my kids, I still got choked up at the end. The story and illustrations are so well-done; even in so few words, you feel all the excitement, danger, suspense, anxiety, daring, exhaustion and, ultimately, relief and joy. And, there are chickens! I don’t know why, but those chickens made such an impression on me. It’s just you and your younger sisters and your ill mother and three chickens all alone on that rock, having to keep the lights burning – the lights for the ships, and the home fires for your family, while your father is away getting supplies and a storm keeps him from returning to you for weeks. I’ve always been fascinated with lighthouses and with the mindset of those lightkeepers who braved so much, with so little support. Maybe this book is what got that interest started. Love it!

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story - Abbie is left in charge of keeping the lighthouse lights burning when her father, the lighthouse keeper, is delayed by a storm.

Great book for children, especially children interested in lighthouses. In addition to being a great story, the book gets a little bit into the details of how the lighthouses actually functioned - filling the oil lamps, trimming the wicks, scraping ice off the glass windows, etc.

My only criticism is that can be a bit confusing to read. Sentences are broken up into lines and it's not always immediately clear which character is speaking.

Overall, great book.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember not understanding at the beginning why any kid would be reluctant or fearful of the task of attending to the lighthouse. Although I understood the importance of the functioning of the lighthouse, I had thought it was just one big lamp that you had to keep burning. I didn't know it was many lamps. I didn't think that ice or frost could so obscure the lights from those lamps that you could have them all burning merrily away, and still the light would not be seen by approaching ships. I remember thinking she was lazy and/or a chicken at the beginning, but by the end, I held her in much higher esteem. This is a great book for any kid interested in the history of lighthouses.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the winter of 1856, a storm delays the lighthouse keeper's return to an island off the coast of Maine, and his daughter Abbie must keep the lights burning by herself.

Based on a true story and the events that unfolded during a storm when the lighthouse keeper couldn't return for weeks because of a terrible storm, His young daughter kept the light going through it all - while tending to younger sisters, a sick mother and rescuing chickens from a flood. Their eggs are what saved them from starving. Brave and inspirational.

[Mama Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abbie's papa travels by boat to get food, oil, and medicine for Abbie's sick mother, but a storm keeps him away for weeks. Abbie bravely keeps the lamps burning in the lighthouses. My daughters ages 4 and 5.5 liked this fictionalized biography and immediately asked me to reread it. While the smudgy illustrations show the despair of the family and the chaos of the storm, they were not a favorite for us. It was often difficult to tell the main character apart from her three younger sisters in the illustrations.

[Kelly Wickham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book that tells a historical story about a young lady trying to help her family and all the ships by keeping the lighthouse light burning. Abbie's mother is sick and her father must go get the doctor. She is responsible to keep the lighthouse going while he is gone. Not only does she keep the lighthouse burning through a storm, but also takes care of her brothers and sisters, her mother and fetches the eggs. Her father returns and says that she knows they were alright each night when he saw the light burning. He is very proud of Abbie!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story of Abbie Burgess who lived off the coast of Maine in 1853. Her father was the lighthouse keeper of Matinicus Rock. Captain Burgess had to leave for desperately needed supplies for the family and left Abbie in charge of lighting the lighthouse. There was a bad storm and he was gone for four weeks. Abbie and her sisters took care of their sick mother and Abbie kept the lights burning. Very short story, simply written and the art work is lovely.

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute biography of Abbie Burgess written for young readers. It includes a more detailed introduction explaining who Abbie was, before showing the events that made her big start as a lighthouse keeper.

The art is beautiful, and it's interesting how some of the illustrations are in full colour, contrasted with ones in only black-and-white.

Recommended for aspiring historians and lighthouse keepers!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember checking this out from the library when I was a child.

My son enjoyed reading this true story of Abbie Burgess and her family, who kept a lighthouse off the coast of Maine. He liked learning about what it takes to keep a lighthouse lit, and what happened when they were stranded and separated due to an intense storm. I think we should follow up with a trip to our local lighthouse.

[Cathy Sheetz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story of 1856 when Abbie is left at the lighthouse while her father is away. A storm is fast approaching and Abbie has to overcome her fear to keep the lighthouse lit in order to protect people on the water.

Good book for students progressing in their reading. Classroom library for 2nd through 4th grade.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story, Abbie keeps the lighthouse, on Matinicus Rock on the coast of Maine, burning through the nights of a storm. When her father and brother are away and her mother is sick, Abbie finds the courage to be responsible for the lighthouse and to care for her sisters and mother. A good read with a strong girl who has fortitude and resilience.

[Jecel Cortes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was surprisingly good in my opinion. The story started off with a girl named Abbie and her father Captain Burgess were talking about Abbie's mother being sick. Captain Burgess goes to town to find medicine for his sick wife. Abbie is in charge of taking care of the light house and does a great job. Captain Burgess comes how 1 week later and has medicine for Abbie's mother.

[Arely Cortes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book. Abbie is afraid that her father won't come home. Her father tells her that she has to keep the lights burning. Abbie is scared because she has never done it before. At first the matches won't light because the wind keeps blowing it out. After awhile her father finally came home. He was really proud of her.

[SusanwithaGoodBook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story for children about a young girl who must keep the lighthouse lit during a storm while her father is away. Despite the simplicity of the story you can feel the tension in the action. It was a Reading Rainbow book. I think my granddaughter will enjoy it in a few years.

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really a stand alone book that has been put as part of an anthology series - it was a short book but very beautifully written and rendered - a great story for all to read- and a book where you don't have to worry about the next entry in a series - Great Scott what a beautiful thing!

[Jenny Hartfelder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep the Lights Burning is a great reading book for mid-elementary students. I love Abbie's example of courage and faithfulness. My son and I enjoyed using the Satellite view on Google Maps to locate lighthouse on Matinicus Rock.

[Shanae Teuscher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in two sittings to five kids, ages 6-14. They all enjoyed it. It's great to find stories like this one that encourage family love, support, and hard work. I think this book is worth buying and adding to your family library.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this one, but my 6 year old said lighthouses weren't her thing. 🤷‍♀️

There is a short explanation at the beginning of the book explaining who the story is based on.

I found the story interesting, the illustrations pretty, and really enjoyed the book.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saved, for me, by being a true story. Otherwise it would be too much to believe. I do have to wonder how mother survived four weeks without her medicine. And the leveled reader text didn't flow well for me. Recommended for interested readers.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love Reading Rainbow!