The Bravest Woman in America

Ida loves the sea, and everything with it, so when her father ends up in charge of the local lighthouse, she jumps at the chance to help him with it. Day after day, she strengthens her muscles by rowing him back and forth to the lighthouse, until a few years in, when the family moves to live in a house beside it. There, Ida learns how to take care of the lighthouse, and loves to sit in it and watch the sea. When Ida's father becomes sick, it falls to her to take care of the lighthouse, and she does informally until a night when she has to rescue four boys that are trapped in a storm. Then, her father gives her his hat, telling her that she's the bravest girl in America, and she becomes the new official keeper of the lighthouse.

The story show more is in bright watercolors, and Ida's jubilation at being near the sea is captured well with her inked expressions. The book is a detailed story of a girl that was strong and chose to work towards what she wanted, and achieve it while helping her family and others, but it will probably be a bit hard for children not on the coast to relate to this. This book would probably be a good addition to any towns near water, especially if there's a lighthouse, but may not be as valuable to libraries in landlocked states. show less

From the time she was young, Ida loved the sea, and she was thrilled when her father got a job as a lighthouse keeper off Newport, Rhode Island. She often went with him to the island, learning to row, and learning the ins and outs of the job. The family became permanent residents of the island when she was 15. When her father grew ill, she took over more and more of his duties including daring rescues of sailors. A rollicking read with a dramatic scene when Ida comes to the aid of the young boys in a sailboat, this is an adventure story, a biography, and a feminist story all rolled into one. Back in the mid 1800s she proved that women could be just as daring as men and even earned the moniker of "the Bravest woman in America."

The Bravest Woman in America tells the story of Ida Lewis. The books recalls Ida's desire to be around bodies of water and her heroic rowing skills once she because the lighthouse keeper at Lime Rock. I enjoyed this book because it tell the story of someone who I feel is often overlooked when doing biography projects. Ida has a great story and this book captured this well. It showcased her bravery saving shipwrecked people when women at the time were just expected to stay in the home.

As a young girl, Ida's family enjoys the perfect life for this young girl who loves the sea; her father is a light house keeper. Young Ida cannot stay away from the sea, so her father teaches her to row a boat. Ida grows stronger and stronger, rowing her boat in all types of seas--rough, windy, and smooth. As her strength grows, so does her determination and courage, and soon Ida is rescuing fallen boaters. When Ida's father fall ill, Ida's mother is named the keeper of the lighthouse, but Ida does all of the work. Ida is the keeper of the lighthouse. What a remarkable tale of personal strength and determination you will want to read aloud to your students.

Ida Lewis' love of the sea and wanting to go with her father on his twice daily trips to the lighthouse led her to learn how to row. She learned how to check the light, fill it with oil, trim the wick, and clean the lens. After her family moved into the lighthouse, Ida began watching the sea for trouble. After her father got sick, Ida took over the responsibility of the lighthouse. One night, while watching the sea, Ida saw a small boat in trouble. Ida bravely went to the rescue of the four boys on board and saved their lives. I enjoyed this book and its message of celebrating bravery. I could use this book in a social studies lesson related to women in American History.

This story is about Ida Lewis. Ida loved the sea her whole life. Her father got a job as a lighthouse keeper and eventually Ida and her family moved very close to the lighthouse. Ida's father often let her go row with him. Ida's father eventually got sick and she unofficially took over his job. Ida saved four boy's lives when their boat overturned in the sea. After she saved the boys' lived her father let Ida have his job as lighthouse keeper. Ida was declared the bravest woman in America.
This book was very insperational to read. I had never heard of Ida Lewis before. The illustrations were very enticing and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This picture book biography tells a story about a girl Ida who loved everything about the sea. The illustrations are drawn from watercolor, ink, and acrylic paint. The way the illustrator outlined the details and little things in the picture captures a determined young girl out on the sea. Ida quickly became a hero who saved many lives including the boys who were having trouble in the frantic harsh sea. Ida rowed harder and harder and saved those boys lives. This book helps readers understand helping others, heroes, and having pride in yourself.