In 1882, Kate Walker, a 34-year-old white widow, emigrated from Germany to the United States with her young son. She married John Walker, a lighthouse keeper, and in 1885 the new family was posted to Robbins Reef Lighthouse in New York Bay. Kate remained there until she was 71, first working in the job of assistant keeper and, after John’s death, as temporary keeper for four years, and then as permanent keeper. The routine of daily chores, such as refilling the lamp with kerosene and keeping detailed records, is occasionally broken with the drama of storms and rescues. Although at first uncertain about a lighthouse keeper’s life of isolation, Kate grew to relish the setting and performed the job with competence, gaining a reputation for her rescues. Watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations show her doing it all, from climbing the outdoor ladder from a small boat to the lighthouse entry, to rowing out in a storm in a floor-length dress and apron (also shown in a photo in a final note). (Ages 4-8)

The heroic true story of one of the Eastern seaboard's first woman lighthouse keepers, illustrated by a Caldecott Medalist.

Living in the isolated Robbins Reef Lighthouse, overlooking turn-of-the-century New York Harbor, Kate Walker spent her life minding the light, keeping passing ships from running aground on the dangerous shoals. Originally the assistant to her lighthouse keeper husband John Walker, after his death Kate convinced the Lighthouse Board that she was able to manage the hard work on her own.

For more than three decades, Kate lived a solitary life, often totally isolated from the mainland by rough seas and dangerous storms. Tending to the lamps and ringing the heavy warning bell, she helped ships avert disaster-- and saved many sailors from the cold, choppy waters when disaster struck.

Elizabeth Spires describes the joys and hardships of a life at sea, detailing pivotal moments in Walker's life to show her indomitable spirit, and celebrates the determination that drove Kate to keep her home and her livelihood. Paired with Emily Arnold McCully's atmospheric, vivid watercolor-and-ink illustrations of lonely lighthouses, sun-dappled afternoons, and wrathful storms, this gripping picture book brings turn of the century New York to life.

Additional material in the back of the book includes a biographical note about Kate Walker, historical photographs of Kate and her home at Robbins Reef Lighthouse, reproductions of an historical map of New York Harbor, and a list of sources for more information.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A Mighty Girl Best Book of the Year
A CCBC Choice