The Stormy Adventure of Abbie Burgess, Lighthouse Keeper

March 1, 2011

Gr 2-4-These books provide exciting glimpses into the past, with just the right amount of tension and intensity to capture readers' attention. Each volume shows how even young children can have their lives change from ordinary to extraordinary in just a matter of moments. Readers will dash into the ocean with young Sam Deal as he rescues victims of a shipwreck. Then they will bite their fingernails while the tension builds as Abbie Burgess tries to keep the lighthouse lit and save her family as well. In yet another entry, kids can witness the strange snowy world of Milton Daub as he traverses his neighborhood, helping all in need after a blizzard. The texts are a tad stilted at times and the illustrations slightly flat, so they might not be appealing to older kids, but they will serve as good introductions to graphic novels and historical fiction for early readers. Added bonuses are the brief yet informative introductions and afterwords providing more facts about the settings.-Carol Hirsche, Provo City Library, UT

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