Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie

This book is based on a true story about a little girl whose father operates a lighthouse. When her mother falls ill, her father must journey to the city to get her mother medicine. While he's gone, she must keep the lights burning and take care of her mother and young sister. Soon after he leaves, a terrible storm rolls in, preventing her father from coming home and she has to be brave and keep the lights burning all by herself for a month.
This story is so amazing. And it's true. This happened in 1856. The little girl's strength is so admirable. Even though kids today might not be able to relate to the particular situation because of the time period, but they would probably understand the courage and resolve it took for Abbie to step show more up to be the mother of the family. show less

From the back: "This is the exciting true story of Abbie Burgess, who single-handedly kept the lighthouse lamps lit during a tremendous storm off the coast of Maine in 1856." I enjoyed this easy reader that also happens to be a Reading Rainbow book. I'll be sure to check out more from the On My Own History series!

Based on a true story. In the winter of 1856, a storm delays the lighthouse keeper's return to an island off the coast of Maine, and his daughter Abbie must keep the lights burning by herself.

I'd swear that I've read about her before. This is good for younger readers, though I hesitate to call this full-fledged biography since most of it focused on one month of her life. The foreword was good though.

This book was about a young girl named Abbie. In the past, lighthouses have warned sailors of coastal dangers. Lighthouses kept lamps lit to warn sailors of the coast. Abbie's father, Captain Burgess, had to go after needed supplies. Abbie was left in charge of her sisters and sick mother. Abbie was unsure she could handle such responsibilities, but her father assured her she could. Shortly after her father leaving, there was a horrible storm. Abbie kept the lamps burning, took care of her mom and her sisters. By the end of the story, her Dad had returned and she found a new restored fate in this responsibility she endured.

I did not like the book all that much. I guess may be its because I can't relate very well to this time in history. show more I did enjoy the fact that the girl Abbie was able to take on a challenge and conquer it. He Dad had faith in her and she was able to uphold the trust he had in her. She was able to ensure the safety and health of her family as well the sailors.

One of the main ideas to help students to learn this book would be to talk about inner struggles and discuss Abbie's struggles with the children. You could also have them draw lighthouses and name two reason why they were so important in the this time. show less

My daughter and I really loved this, and when I heard it mentioned again, I knew I had to read it again. I don't know if my teenager will want to cuddle up with me to reread it however.

This is a story about the bravery of a young girl whose mother is sick and her father has to leave to get food and medicine. And she is left in charge of the light house. A huge storm comes and prevents her father from coming straight back home. So each night Abbie has to keep this lights on in the tower and watch over the family.