Lighthouse Girl

by Dianne Wolfer, Brian Simmonds (Illustrations)

At the outbreak of World War I, Fay’s isolated life on bleak, windswept Breaksea Island takes a dramatic turn. As a lighthouse keeper’s daughter, Fay knows semaphore and Morse code and responds when the soldiers on the ships signal to her. Soon, the soldiers are semaphoring messages for their loved ones, which Fay then telegraphs on their behalf. Although they never meet, Fay eventually becomes friends with one young soldier who has no family. After the soldiers depart for the battlefields of Egypt and Gallipoli, Fay follows their fortunes and continues her long-distance conversations with them through letters and postcards. Drawing on archival material and interweaving fact with fiction, Fay’s tale is based on a true story and brings to life the hardships of those left at home during the war.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, World War I, Australia, Childrens

120 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Dianne lives on the south coast of Western Australia. She is author of 27 books with more titles on the way. Dianne's latest books are 'Soaring with the Sugarbird Lady - the Robin Miller story', 'Cattle Muster' (ill. Frane' Lessac), and 'The Colt from Old Regret' (ill. Erica Wagner).
Her earlier award-winning novel 'Scout and the Rescue Dogs' celebrates truckies and rescue dogs, and links to the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires. It won WA Premier's Award and was shortlisted for the Children's Book Council Awards and the WA Young Readers' Awards.
Other recent titles include: 'The Last Light Horse', a CBCA Notable Book now adapted for CineStage by Theatre 180; 'Mia' (Allen and Unwin's award-winning Through my Eyes series); and an Aussie STEM Stars title about Skye Blackburn-Lang, Australia's first farmer of edible insects.
Dianne's doctoral research into anthropomorphism and animal characters in children's literature was selected as a Board of the Graduate Research School Dean's List Winner in 2017, and led to two books, 'The Dog with Seven Names' (winner of the 2019 Speech Pathology Awards, CBCA Notable, shortlisted for the NSW Premiers Literary Awards and published in China) and 'The Shark Caller' (CBCA Notable and optioned for film). In addition to her general website, Dianne posts about animal characters at www.animalswhotalk.

'The Dog with Seven Names' is written anthropomorphically and explores Australian WW2 history from the perspective of a small dog in north-west WA. Another title with unusual animal perspectives, 'The Shark Caller' is set in Papua New Guinea. This underwater fantasy novel links to both the ancient practise of calling sharks as well as modern-day environmental concerns.
Dianne's picture book, 'Nanna's Button Tin' is published in the US by Candlewick. Other stories in the multi-adapted WW1 'Light' series are the award-winning 'Lighthouse Girl' and 'Light Horse Boy'.
Dianne's book, 'Light Horse Boy' won the WA Premier's Award as well as CBCA Honour book. Partner title, 'Lighthouse Girl' was inspiration for Royal de Luxe Theatre's spectacular Perth street performance, The Giants, won the children’s choice, West Australian Young Readers Book Awards and is a recommended reading text for the National History Curriculum. Lighthouse Girl has also being adapted for Black Swan Theatre by playwright Hellie Turner. The story was based is based on the true tale of Fay Howe, daughter of the Breaksea Island lighthouse keeper, who relayed messages for the departing ANZAC troops in 1914. Light Horse Boy follows the journey of a young soldier who waves to Fay before sailing with the 1st AIF. The book follows Jim’s journey to Egypt, Gallipoli and through iconic battles of WW1’s Desert Campaign. Dianne enjoys combining her love of history with writing fiction. Her picture book, 'Photographs in the Mud' (also a recommended History Curriculum text) was inspired by a research trip along the Kokoda Track. It was published in Japanese and is used as a reference for international workshops promoting peaceful ‘discourse analysis’. Dianne is an active member of writing groups, including the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and served for six years as their WA Advisor. Dianne loves travelling and has spent much of her life overseas.

Awards
2023 CBCA Notable Book, The Last Light Horse
Short listed, CBCA Book Awards for Light Horse Boy and also for Granny Grommet and Me, 2014
Winner, West Australian Young Readers’ Award, 2010
Short listed, NSW Premier’s History Awards, 2009
Short listed, West Australian Premier’s Awards, 2009
Short listed, West Australian Young Readers’ Award, 2007
Short listed, West Australian Young Readers’ Award, 2006
Short listed, West Australian Young Readers’ Award, 2002
Short listed, Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature, 2001
Short listed, Wilderness Society’s Environment Award, 1999
Short listed, West Australian Young Readers’ Book Awar

Reviews

[Hazel Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: Lighthouse Girl


Written by Dianne Wolfer
Illustrated by Brian Simmonds

Published by Freemantle Press
ISBN 978 1 921361531
$24.95
Picture Book Older readers
Hardback

Reviewed by Hazel Edwards www.hazeledwards.com


Who hasn’t wanted to live on a lighthouse?

In 1914, at the start of WW1, 15 year old Faye Howe did live and work off the WA coast with her lightkeeper father.

It’s the crafted scrapbook format of ‘Lighthouse Girl’ which makes this book exceptional and is indicative of the trend towards graphics in varied formats for upper primary and teen readers.

The story is told in Faye’s diary extracts, interspersed with wartime photos, maps and anecdotes, by a girl who has to take over her mother’s role at the lighthouse, pre-dishwashers, DVD and microwaves.

The story is well paced. Just as interest may be waning, resourceful, 15 year old Faye semaphores the troops leaving, the semaphoric alphabet is included, and Faye passes messages onto loved ones. This girl has initiative.

Brian Simmons’ artwork reminds me of the Robert Ingpen edition of Storm Boy by Colin Thiele. Same sense of place and quality.

Using the viewpoint of Faye, author Dianne Wolfer has sensitively balanced the factual content in a way which will appeal to a contemporary teen reader. There’s enough variety in the faction format to retain interest without being didactic. Wolfer has chosen examples such as the donkey and the lighthouse visit of the cinematic crew to film the departing troops to characterise the family workstyle and the daughter’s responsibilities. And the ending which deals realistically but sensitively with loss of young local soldiers during wartime, is well written.

Much thought has gone into the design of this book Designer Tracey Gibbs name is so small that this is a mistake in a book where the design is so significant. Maybe it was modesty?

There’s a traditional feel to the heavy, red cover and the tactile sense that this is a book to keep. Then a mix of sepia photos, maps, historic settings and the minutia of daily life. Good to see the maps included to orientate today’s young readers, who may be unaware of even Albany (and how to pronounce it properly) let alone the war zones.

Jacko the donkey was real. So were Breaksea Island light keepers, the island and the monthly food supply boat. Inbetween Faye did have to shoot rabbits for food.

What will make Lighthouse Girl so attractive for educators, is not just the inspiring story of a real Australian girl, WW1 facts nor that the graphic collage is suitable for older readers, but it fits:

patterns of text structure and organisation of various kinds of texts, including narrative, exposition, verse, narrative voice and point of view which the curriculum requires.

I would highly recommend this book as a good read and a possible film, mainly for the historic and lighthouse setting, but also for the feisty girl and the view of homelife during wartime.

Lighthouse Girl is an excellent example of the growing trend to use historic faction to attract young readers.

www.dianewolfer.com has additional notes and good to see an author aware of how educators appreciate ideas for historic activities and extra background. She also includes a double page of facts ‘About Faye’ and explains the inspiration for the factional story. Her Acknowledgements list indicates the detailed research.

Highly recommended.

[Helen O'Toole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a superb book,both the story and the beautiful illustrations. I love it that the story is based upon the true lighthouse girl who waved good bye to the Australian troops sailing across to Egypt then Gallipoli. I also appreciated the sad truths about life in those years as in my family we too had young mothers and teenagers die from what would now be cured with antibiotics. Also the sheer hard work required to be done to keep food on the table. This would be an excellent book to read to Year 5,6 & 7 around Anzac Day or Remembrance Day as it is quite short yet contains so many actual press clippings & photos of the troops.

[★Ashli★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Marj Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fay, a teenage girl, lives a lonely existence on an isolated island where her father is the lighthouse keeper. She has many chores to do looking after her father and the house, with a donkey as her only company. The outbreak of the First World War is greeted with excitement, as ships full of troops pass by the island. Kay is swept up in the nationalistic fervour, conveying messages to soldiers' loved ones at home via signals sent from the ships. She even receives a personal message for herself from one of the departing soldiers, and we follow her friendship with Charlie through the story.
Beautifully illustrated by Brian Simmonds and enhanced by documents in many different genres, notes, diary entries and photographs, there's an authentic historical feel to this novel. This realism is enhanced by the acknowledgment at the end of the book of the true life story on which its story is based.
Most striking for adolescents, I think, is the vast difference between Fay's life and their own. Technology is very obviously missing. Fay must help hunt for food, amuse herself and must be grown up beyond her years to survive in such an isolated place. This would be very worthwhile as extended reading for a WWI unit of work, suitable for upper primary to mid secondary, rich in its view of the times through the eyes of one teenager.

[Miffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The compelling story of a young girl's lonely existence on a small island, 'Lighthouse Girl' is based on a true story.
Fay lives with her father and one other lightkeeper on Breaksea Island. Her mother is dead, as are a number of her siblings. Life is harsh, but Fay is an optimistic young lady, and makes the best of her life. There is great excitement when war breaks out, but the reality of the situation becomes clear as news from the front filters back to Australia. Brian Simmonds beautiful illustrations are interspersed with photographs and newspaper clippings of the times, creating an authentic feeling of time and place.

A beautiful books for all ages.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really good. :) I liked the way it was written - the story interspersed with diary entries. The illustrations were amazing, and the way the 'diary pages' were put together was really good. I also liked the fact that it is a true Australian story.
I only wish it was kind of deeper. The diary entries were really good, but I found the sections written from the third person point of view were too simple. They could've been so much more. But of course, I realize it is for younger readers, so I guess I'm just expecting too much.
Anyway, this is a very sweet book. It's short and easy - I read it in one sitting, but it's so good that I think I'll have to get my own copy...

[Robyn Mundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture Book/Juvenile Fiction. Based on the true story of Fay Howe, a lighthouse keeper's daughter on Breaksea Island. When war is declared in 1914, troop ships anchor within sight of Fay's island, on their way to Gallipoli. Fay is asked to telegraph messages from the soldiers on the ships who wish to send their loved ones a last farewell. Soon, she receives postcards from those soldiers fighting at the war zone, and from one in particular, addressed to 'The Little Girl on Breaksea Island'. This is a beautiful story that delicately portrays how the ravages of war play out for those at home.

[Deborah Sutherland · Rating 3 out of 5]

The perfect book to read before Anzac Day.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The solitary eye of the lighthouse blinked across the dusk shadows. Its beam shone west, over the sea towards a bleak peninsula where hundreds of Turks and Australians still fought for a hillside drenched in blood” - Dianne Wolfer, The Lighthouse Girl

Wolfer has cleverly expanded upon the touching true story of young Fay, who in 1914, conversed with the Australian and New Zealander soldiers (ANZACs) aboard troopships on their way into battle, from her isolated island home of Breaksea Island, south of Albany in Western Australia.

She conversed with the soldiers using semaphore and took messages from the them, which she then passed onto friends and family of the men using morse code. Fay’s conversations with these soldiers are believed to have been their last human contact with Australia. Her simple kindness resulted in friendship with the soldiers and a continued correspondence, with many postcards from the Middle East addressed to ‘The little girl on Breaksea Island’.

I loved Brain Simmonds’ beautiful charcoal illustrations, along with the addition of historical documents such as newspaper clippings and photographs, which added a sense of authenticity and age to the story.

The Lighthouse Girl is a great way of introducing children to the story of the brave ANZACs and their important contribution to the war effort during the First World War.

Despite enjoying The Lighthouse Girl, I don’t think it deserves more than 3 /5; as I found some of Wolfer’s fictitious additions to the story contrived and unnecessary. However, I do look forward to reading the other two books in the series.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story, inspired by fact, about a young girl living on Breaksea Island, off the coast of Albany, at the start of World War 1. I love the way these books (there are three in total; one newly released) present information in a variety of ways - diary, newspapers, letters, photographs and stunning illustrations. With short sections of text and plenty of images, these are great books for reluctant readers and this who prefer non-fiction.

[Sandra Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

On November 1 1914, the first convoy of Australian and New Zealand soldiers steamed out of King George Sound in Albany. 'Lighthouse Girl' brings this scene to life, using beautiful illustrations and the simple story of Faye, the lighthouse keepers daughter. Using the viewpoint of Faye, author Dianne Wolfer has sensitively balanced the factual content in a way which will appeal to young readers.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-warming account of a lighthouse keeper's daughter, her journal and experience writing to Australian soldiers during WW1.
The story is beautifully illustrated and decorated with photographs and news clippings. Touching.

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written & so heartbreaking. The fact that it is based on fact & the realisation of how hard times would have been for loved ones at this time is told in such a poignant way.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this war story. It was good because unlike alot of war stories like this, it didn't make me cry which I didn't expect

[Siegrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book for upper primary readers.

[Jasper Cottle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture book

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting format and engaging writing. Read the notes about the real Fay, at the end.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with a group of year 7 girls. They appreciated the budding romance between Fay and Charlie, and were keen to follow this strand of the story. The book itself has beautiful illustrations along with historical photographs, newspaper clippings and postcards. This is a great, engaging book for young adults as an introduction to the time period of World War II. There are many activities that can flow from this text - for example, we had a morning tea with traditional foods like sponge cake and bread and butter pudding, vintage embroidered tablecloths, braided hair like Fay wears, etc. We can also tie in themes of environmentalism (whaling was a prominent industry in Albany at the time) and think about how views change over time.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it starts a little slowly, this is a gorgeous World War I story written for primary school aged children but still enjoyable for adults. It's beautifully presented and works in interesting information about Australia's role in the Great War.

[The Bookshop Umina]

A wonderful way to bring some Australian history to life. A mix of text, illustration and snippets from newspapers and postcards of the time. The main character has been taken from a real family of the time and this further adds to the gravitas of the story.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. I'm biased because I live in Albany but it gave me some fresh insight into life in this beautiful town at the beginning of last century and at war. I highly recommend this to all who are interested in Australian History and Albany specifically.

[HG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book. Nice mix of picture, diary, 3rd person and history. Use with WW1.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely, moving read for junior fiction. I liked the way it was part in journal format as well as telling the story. Will read Light Horse boy next.

[Josh Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad

[Rlouiseg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very nice book. I really liked it!

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant read, suitable for younger readers.