Fearless

April 1, 2008
Gr 5-8-Life for Digory, 11, and Cubby, 9, is hard on the Cornwall coast in the late 1600s. After hearing that their father's ship has been lost, they are sent by their aunt to Plymouth 100 miles away to discover if their father survived. Without his income, she cannot afford to keep them. They receive discouraging news but are rescued by a fascinating man named Henry Winstanley of Littlebury, who is known as a jester due to his marvelous, somewhat whimsical inventions. Winstanley believes, however, that his greatest accomplishment is the lighthouse he designed and built on the Eddystone Reef, which was responsible for a tremendous loss of life and ships before the light was erected. Word comes to Winstanley that the light is in need of repairs and supplies so he and the brothers journey back to Plymouth only to discover that the worst storm of the century is approaching. This fascinating, well-written story is closely based on the life of the real Henry Winstanley. It introduces one of the leading inventors of the day and provides a glimpse, through the young brothers, of harshness of life for the common people during this period. The characters are finely drawn and the action is nonstop. Many of the short chapters are cliff-hangers, making the book a great read-aloud."Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2008
In early-eighteenth-century Cornwall, Digory Beale sets off to Plymouth to see if he can find his sailor father, who has gone missing after a storm. His little brother joins him, but once in Plymouth, the boys are falsely accused of theft. The eccentric inventor Henry Winstanley, who was one of the most famous persons in England during his lifetime, rescues the brothers from the gallows, and Digory is hired as Winstanleys apprentice. All seems well until a huge storm threatens Winstanleys greatest creation, a lighthouse on a dangerous reef, and Digoryjoins his employer in a dangerous fight to save the amazing landmark that has rescued so many sailors. Woodruff is best at capturing the perilous existence of the impoverished people on the Cornish coast, adding authenticity with many colorful local expressions. Readers who look for action and suspense will find it here, and theyll connect with Digory, who struggles to find the courage to save his illustrious boss and his famous creation.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)