When Jim chooses the Morris
Island Lighthouse for the subject of his history project, he becomes
intrigued with all of the lighthouses of the state. As he searches the
lights with his grandpa, he learns all about his favorite lighthouse and
rediscovers his father whom he lost to the Gulf War. Included are brief
histories and photographs of eight lighthouses still standing along the
South Carolina coastline.From School Library Journal
Gr 2-4--Jim, who lives with his mother and grandfather on Oak
Island near Charleston, SC, has a problem. He has an outline for
a history project due on Monday and doesn't have a clue as to
what to write about. Because his father was killed in the Gulf
War, Jim doesn't want to research anything to do with war.
Looking out his kitchen window at the Morris Island lighthouse,
he realizes that it might make a good subject. Lo and behold, he
learns that his father, who died when he was a toddler, was "one
of the biggest lighthouse buffs of his generation" and had a
scrapbook filled with pictures and commentary. Jim can do his
project and learn about his father at the same time. The
full-color artwork, done in a realistic style, shows stoic
figures on flat, uncluttered backgrounds. A brief history with
full-color photographs of South Carolina lighthouses is
appended. This well-researched but contrived story reflects the
author's interest in her subject. It will be useful regionally
and to others who find these structures fascinating. Martha
Gordon, formerly at South Salem Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.