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Paperback Manning the Light Book

ISBN: 0985910909

ISBN13: 9780985910907

Manning the Light

(Book #1 in the Louie Lighthouse Series)

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Recommended

Format: Paperback

Condition: New

$14.37
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Book Overview

During the turn of the twentieth century, lighthouses dotted the New England coast to provide security for ship-going traffic. When 13-year-old Louie and his mother are hired to be keepers of the light at Two Tree Island in the summer of 1903, his year-long adventures with his newfound friends - human as well as feathered - help him move from grief over the loss of his father and teenage uncertainty to maturity and stability.
After his father dies, 13-year-old Louie Hollander and his mother must move away from their old home and find a way to make a living. They are hired as keepers of Two Tree Island Lighthouse on Windlass Bay - temporarily. In order to keep the job, Louie and his ma must prove that they can handle the hard work. Tending to the urgent task of protecting sea-going vessels from storm and fog keeps Louie scrambling, especially when equipment breaks down. And even with visits from mainland friends, island living is lonely. An injured sea gull becomes an unexpected pet and a visiting preacher becomes a new fishing buddy. But Louie grieves for his father and misses his best friend, Charlie. Then Louie receives wonderful news. Charlie plans to spend the month of August on Two Tree Island. August can't come quickly enough. But Louie finds that Charlie has changed a lot. Suddenly Louie must face difficult choices, especially when Charlie's behavior endangers the operation of the lighthouse.
"Manning the Light maintains family values and spiritual foundations that are important in my family's life today. As a homeschooling mom, I recommend this book as part of a literature based American history curriculum." Elizabeth Giles Griner

Customer Reviews

2 ratings

Manning the Light

Rain, Fog, Hardship, Grief and Friendship Greet Readers of Manning the Light By Terry Webb Reviewed by RM McCall for The Best Book Bin It is the turn of the 20th century. The place is Maine. Louie is a young boy who has recently lost his grandfather and then his father. A recurrent dream haunts him, night after night. Now Ma has to worry about getting a job. Without his Pa and Grandpa it doesn't seem like he has a real family. It is only the two of them, so they will have to take care of each other. His mother gets a job manning the lighthouse on Two Tree Island and that is when the adventures begin. Ms. Webb brings this story of grief, friendship and hard times to life with her New England dialect and depiction of life as a lighthouse keeper in the early 1900's. She introduces maritime words and defines them at the end of chapters, throughout the book. Although, Louie and his friend Charlie are both 13 year old boys, young girls should equally enjoy reading about Louie's life on the island and how he makes friends with a very smart seagull. This is the first book of Ms. Webb's four book series. For ages 8-12 years old.

A refreshing step back in time

As a parent, Manning the Light was a refreshing step back in time that maintains family values and spiritual foundations that are important in my family's life today. The story incorporates peer pressure, loss, addiction and lonliness with renewed hope, support, love, and forgiveness. Readers will be encouraged by the positive male role models that assist this single parent family in the early 1900's. My son especially enjoyed the relationship between Louie and his mother.Having grown up on an island across from a working lighthouse, the story brought back fond memories of the sounds and sights of the lighthouse. Island life and lighthouse manning will add a depth of interest and education for all readers.Although my ten year old son found a common bond with the 13 year old main character's growth rate and clothing issues, I would recommend this book for the twelve and up age group. As a homeschooling mom, I would recommend this book as part of a literature based American history curriculum.
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