Kate's Light: Kate Walker at Robbins Reef Lighthouse

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

Author: Elizabeth Spires
Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books
Published: 01/12/2021
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 10.60h x 8.40w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9780823443482
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.2
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 511967 / Kate's Light: Kate Walker at Robbins Reef Lighthouse


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 11/01/2020
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 12/01/2020
Publishers Weekly 11/23/2020
Booklist 12/01/2020 pg. 37
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2021 pg. 125
School Library Journal 01/28/2022 pg. 1

About the Author
Elizabeth Spires is a poet and has written several books for children, including The Mouse of Amherst. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland, where she teaches at Goucher College.

Emily Arnold McCully has illustrated many books for children including Mirette on the High Wire which received a Caldecott Medal. She lives in Old Chatham, New York.