Birdie's Lighthouse

by Deborah Hopkinson, Kimberly Bulcken Root (Illustrator)

December 1, 1855
The sea is never still. Sometimes it roars so load that it drowns our voices. Mama says there hasn't been a storm this fierce since the night I was born. She thinks it too dangerous for me to go to the tower again. Yet what else can I do? I'm the lightkeeper now.

On the tiny lighthouse island that is her family's new home, Birdie faithfully keeps a journal. She writes down the change of seasons, the rhythms of the sea, and all that her father, the lightkeeper, is teaching her. But then one stormy night, her father is taken ill. And only Birdie knows how to keep the lighthouse's strong beam running. Will she be brave enough to guide the boats safely into harbor?

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Geography, Nature, Family, 1st Grade

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1996

About the author

I write nonfiction and historical fiction, picture books, and Golden Books. I speak at school, libraries, and conferences. I also love to garden and offer manuscript critiques. (Deborahhopkinson@yahoo.com)

NEW books in 2024 include DETERMINED DREAMER: THE STORY OF MARIE CURIE, illus by Jen Hill, ON A SUMMER NIGHT, illus by Kenard Pak, TRIM HELPS OUT and TRIM SAILS the STORM, illus by Kristy Caldwell, EVIDENCE! illustrated by Nik Henderson, and a nonfiction work called THEY SAVED THE STALLIONS. I'm delighted to say that Trim Helps Out, Trim Sails the Storm, On a Summer Night and Evidence! are all Junior Library Guild selections.

I live and work in Oregon and travel all over to speak to young readers and writers.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Birdie is thrilled that her father is the new lighthouse keeper, it means that she and her family must go live on a desolate island all by themselves. It's a rocky terrain, and no flowers grow there. But Birdie soon learns that there are new joys to be had in living near the lighthouse. The view from the top of the tower is amazing, and she gets to see gulls, terns, and the occasional seal. Soon she is helping her father with the light; no matter what, the lamps must stay lit. One night when her father is abed with a fever, it's all up to Birdie to make sure the lights burn brightly.

This is a nice story abut bravery and hard work. Birdie is a compilation of several girls who worked in lighthouses in the 1800's. Kimberly Bulcken Root's illustrations deserve a mention. They have a lovely, old fashioned quality, and reminded me quite a bit of Garth Williams's work in the Little House series.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in diary format, a young girl assists her father with keeping the lighthouse. Assists him, that is, until one day he's unable to do it and she must step in.

A heartwarming story!

Ages: 6 - 11

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, told in diary form, describes the hardships that working in a lighthouse presented, and this one was told from the perspective of a girl, a far less likely candidate to be selected as a lighthouse keeper though it did happen. I liked the book and I liked the end matter even more as it revealed several historical figures that served as inspiration for the character that the book presented. Nicely presented and would pair well with the more recent award-winning Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall or other stories of famous female lighthouse keepers such as Ida Lewis in The Bravest Woman in America by Marissa Moss.

[Melinda Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is based on stories of people who live in and tend lighthouses. It is a very dangerous and important task to be a light keeper. This story is about Birdie and her family who have to take care of a lighthouse. The family had to move miles from shore to live in the lighthouse and they were very isolated. It's well-written in the form of a diary. I learned some things I didn't know before.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fictional character tells her story in journal form illustrating the types of situations a lighthouse keeper might face. The story is okay but not well written with adjectives used where there should be adverbs in several places. We found “Abbie Against the Storm” more engaging and better written.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love anything to do with lighthouses and stories of the keepers of them. This one was fictional but based on facts of brave female lightkeepers responsible for many saved lives by guiding near shipwrecked ships to safety and keeping the light burning while putting their own lives in grave danger. The artwork and illustrations in this story are gripping and incredible!

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short picture book about a young girl whose family goes to live in a lighthouse, and how she helps out when her father becomes ill. Written in the form of a diary. The author's note includes information on several real women who served as lighthouse keepers. Enjoyable. Recommended.

[T Crockett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book to use in so many lessons: journal writing, lighthouses, life along the coast, how historians use primary sources to learn about the past. Also it’s a great adventure story.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part of the whole book was actually the authors note where she mentions all these remarkable women of history who worked as keepers of lighthouses!

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real reality of a light housekeeper's family life.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1855 Birdie (Bertha Holland) has to move from her small town to "Turtle Island" where her father becomes the lighthouse keeper. After a few months her brother Nate, wants to return to the city where he can be a fisherman which leaves Birdie to help tend her sister and help her father mind the lighthouse. One stormy day birdie's father becomes ill, and Birdie has to light the 14 lamps in the lighthouse. Written in a diary format. Lighthouse facts: sunrise - blow out the lamps. filled with whale oil. polish the reflectors. at dusk light each lamp. trim the wicks at midnight so they will burn steadily all night. "Mares' tails and mackerel sky, never twenty-four hours dry".

Catalogued F Hopkinson Loosely based on Abigaile Burgess Grant, a Maine Lightouse Keeper @1856.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is written journal-style about a little girl's life when she goes with her family to be the lighthouse keepers. Though it's lonely and bare on the little island, she learns all there is to know about keeping the light lit for sailors in the night. When her father falls ill, it's up to her to make sure the lighthouse gleams bright for all during a bad storm.

Illustrations are lovely.

[Inhabiting Books]

Birdie's journaling of how her family becomes the lighthouse keepers on a small, bare, rocky and lonely island. Then when her father gets sick, she has to take over as lightkeeper. Although fictitious, Birdie is based on real women who were lightkeepers. There is a wonderful Afterward by the author that gives the history of real women/girl lightkeepers.

[Shelly♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this sweet book - the diary of a 10 year old girl who goes with her family to help tend a lighthouse in the 1800s. Although the diary is not a daily account, it gives just enough detail to highlight what life is like - and see how the littlest action makes a big difference. It is a fiction story, but mentions famous women lighthouse keepers in the afterward.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr k-2 illustrated fiction


1855, Turtle Island. Birdie tells about her daily experiences on the island including her work helping her father with the light. When her father is too sick to man the lighthouse, it is up to 10 year old Birdie to keep it working to prevent any shipwrecks.

Told in a diary format.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story that gives children a better idea of what a lighthouse's job was in the days before GPS and radar. Such a wonderful tale Deborah Hopkinson has spun. I would like to read more of her books. She had me feeling as if I was with the family as they moved to the lighthouse, and could help with each job.

[Molly (pevensiepuff)]

I hate not rating books when I mark them as 'read' but sometimes I randomly remember a book I read ages ago, that I liked (like this one!) but it's been so long I couldn't even begin to rate or review it. I was probably 8 or so when I read this.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Stars This is a very nice story about a girl and a lighthouse...and even though...it is a fictional story it is based on several true accounts.

I liked the journal entry style and the I like the art work.

A little long but worth reading!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Malcolm says, "I liked the name Nate. Second, I like lighthouses. Third, I like boats called Sunbeam."

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Longer picture book - Oversized Section @ Lib.
Similar to Keep the Lights Burning Abby

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story with fabulous illustrations.

[Andrea Labonte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book.

[Cynthia Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations as well as a great story with opportunity for discussion afterward.

[Claudine Carmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this while visiting a lighthouse this month and was drawn to the illustrations which are gorgeous. Although it is fiction it was like reading a historical account.

[Eireanne]

On the suggested summer reading list for students.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very beautiful illustrations and a cute story