To Keep The South Manitou Light (Great Lakes Books)

Rating:
Summary: Truly exciting and not just for the young reader
Review: Some of my holiday time was spent reading books younger members of my family received.
This 1871 era youth novel was interesting and easy to read. It offers an unusual main character, other believable characters, lots of details, and an intriguing plot.
The main character,Jessie,is a spunky young girl, far from perfect, whoes family keeps a lighthouse in Michigan. During a difficult winter following the death of her grandfather, Jessie grows into a better understanding of personal responsibility and love.
I enjoyed learning about a place new to me and the important work of a lighthouse, especially the maintainance of the light during icy weather. The novel illustrates the daily life and conflicts in a family as well as the crucial role lighthouses played in the early days of shipping. The author's notes and photographs are a plus and round out the exciting episodes in the novel.