Zac doesn't believe in ghosts, he's never seen any scientific proof of their existence. Clare is sceptical but open minded to the possibility. She likes the idea of ghosts, and fairies, even angels. Luke is convinced they have encountered a ghost at Caves Beach. He is the one who is determined to lead them on a ghost hunt to the old ruined lighthouse on the point at Cape St George. Join the Adamson siblings on their second adventure as they discover a ghost desperate to save her father and another just as determined to see her not succeed. Follow the clues along with Zac, Clare and Luke, as you learn about the shipwrecks that crashed off the NSW South Coast and find a long lost ship's manifest, a lighthouse keeper's journal and all the secrets within a lighthouse lost in time.
Sandra is the award winning author of the thrilling middle grade series, the Adamson Adventures. Secrets Hidden Below, book 1, was shortlisted in the Australian Speech Pathology Book of the Year Awards 2019. Fossil Frenzy, book 3, was a winner of the Queensland Writers Centre Adaptable Competition, Book to Screen, 2020, Finalist Children's Fiction International Book Awards 2021 and received an Excellence in Literature Middle Grade Fiction Royal Dragonfly Awards 2021.
Sandra has written two Australian picture books using animals as the characters. They have vivid and beautifully illustrated images with subtle moral lessons that entertain children from 3 to 93!
previously she wrote a series of short chapter books for early and reluctant readers that incorporate a mixture of humour and fun science to keep the pages turning. As a former teacher of over 20 odd years Sandra understands the importance of hooking readers from an early age, increasing literacy in our children has become her passion.
The second in the Adamson Series by Sandra Bennett, A Lighthouse in Time is a ghostly mystery set in an exotic-to-me Australian National Park.
Narrated in first person by the eldest Adamson, Zac is the impatient, no-nonsense brother, who clearly leads the siblings. Bennett enriches each child with distinct personalities and tosses in just enough good-natured bickering to make the trio’s relationship realistic and fun. I wish Claire were portrayed feistier rather than as the mothering sister, who is often fretful as her brothers forge ahead, but she holds her own as the mystery unfolds.
The author imbues Time with a intimate sense of place of its oceanside Australian setting:
Out the back beyond the break, the bay was almost like a pond. White fluffy clouds floated across the sky, with no sign of any storm brewing... A pod of dolphins played in the distance.
North American readers learn cool new words, like brekkie (breakfast) and swimmers (swim suits), as well as how to surf a boat to safety on shore in stormy waves. Bennett thoughtfully provides a glossary of special terms at the end of the book.
Bennett shines as she adds layers to a ghostly mystery the kids must solve to lift an ancient curse before their vacation ends. No spoiler, but action accelerates and frightening apparitions appear to heighten suspense, but they won't give young readers nightmares.
Stylistically, I prefer shorter paragraphs for young readers, especially for breaking up long narrative passages and separating them from dialogue. This is a minor distraction I overlook because of the story’s strong action and engaging plot.
A Lighthouse in Time is a crackling-good yarn that will keep kids turning pages to uncover the identity of a long-dead baddie and lift a century’s old curse. Highly recommend Bennett's adventure for both boys and girls ages 8-12.
This is the 2nd book in the Adamson adventure series for Middle-Grade readers by fellow Australian author Sandra Bennett. Lighthouse legends and historical backgrounds are always fascinating, especially for young history buffs. Ghosts don’t exist, right? Of course not. Hmmm. Zac is a sceptic. Luke is convinced they are real. Clare is not so sure and easily scared. But who is the young Kathleen who appeals for help? Are the 3 children able to solve a previously unsolved historical mystery? Will they be able to clear the reputation of the former lighthouse keeper through his daughter’s intervention? Adventure abounds as the Adamsons become convinced they can assist in helping to right a past wrong. Although the lighthouse now lies in ruins, the children are doggedly determined to get to the bottom of the truth-assisted by the old lighthouse keeper’s daughter. Of course, there are obstacles-and another eerie figure just as determined to stand in their way (not to mention a particular marine encounter!) This is a page-turning adventure for young readers to immerse themselves and learn some interesting facts along with a tale for the imagination. This has a particular resonance for me, as a reader. I grew up spending many holidays on the NSW South Coast, particularly visiting old lighthouses. In 1999 I moved to the area where this story is set, along with my late husband and daughter. We lived there for 18 months and spent quite a bit of time with folk from Wreck Bay in Booderee National Park. A wonderful story, fiction crossed with history. 5 out of 5 stars.