The Light on the Hudson

by Dana Ferry

published by Ithaca Press

Family life at the lighthouse in the 1930s comes to life in Dana Ferry's The Light on the Hudson.

The reader is instantly immersed in the lively text that will captivate audiences, young and old. The story is told through the eyes of Ella, a young girl in the 1930s whose father has just been named the lighthouse keeper of Esopus Meadows Lighthouse on the Hudson River.

Ella's thoughts and dreams are timeless and universal. All readers can relate to Ella's sweet charm and some aspects of her day-to-day life. However, Ella's adventures are distinctive. She has experiences, concerns and a lifestyle that most readers will be unfamiliar with. The Light on the Hudson, while a fictional tale, is historically accurate. It portrays the life of a family living in a lighthouse, the political climate and society in the 1930s, all as viewed by a young girl.

With the Esopus Meadows Lighthouse planned re-opening in 2009, this vignette of the past has never been more relevant. Working along side the newly-preserved lighthouse, The Light on the Hudson captures history and ensures that this aspect of American life will be remembered and treasured by future generations.

The author's illustrations decorate the pages of The Light on the Hudson while keeping the primary focus on Ella's story as a child living in a lighthouse. The book keeps a child who is transitioning from a picture book to a chapter book at ease by incorporating artwork into a more complex and detailed text.

The light and energetic tone of the tale makes The Light on the Hudson a fun read for young readers, while the detail and historical accuracy will ensure that even older readers will enjoy this sweet tale from about a childhood of yesteryear.