Inspired by the logs of a female lightkeeper who kept the light shining through the fog following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, award-winning author Caroline Arnold and illustrator Rachell Sumputer’s adventurous story captures an important piece of American history. Juliet Fish Nichols is the keeper of the light on Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her foe? The fog. Day and night—summer, fall, winter, spring—she must keep the light shining and the fog bell ringing, no matter what. But what happens when there is a major earthquake? What happens when the bell breaks? Keeper of the Light: Juliet Fish Nichols Fights the San Francisco Fog was inspired by the real Juliet’s lightkeeper logs and adventures. “Well told and interesting . . . An attractive picture book celebrating a lighthouse keeper’s dedication to her work.” — Booklist PreS-Gr 2—In a story inspired by real journals, this picture book gives readers a fictional glimpse into the day-to-day activities of a dedicated lighthouse keeper. In 1902, Juliet Fish Nichols began working at Angel Island to guide ships safely to San Francisco. Set in a journal format, descriptive language and hazy illustrations put the readers in her place as she tends to the mundane, everyday chores, while "the fog, my foe," is a constant concern. Eventually, the story's pace picks up when the 1906 San Francisco earthquake hits, followed months later with the lighthouse's machinery breaking. Every 15 seconds, through a long night, Juliet must strike the bell to warn ships in the fog. Readers will admire her bravery and steadfastness, but might struggle to stay interested during the story's slower sections. The specialized focus may also narrow the audience to local readers. There are intriguing tidbits dropped along the way, like how both Nichols and her mother were lighthouse keepers at the same time in different locations, but those are not explained until the back matter. VERDICT For patient readers with a demonstrated interest in lighthouses or historical fiction.—Elissa Cooper "The story is well told and interesting. . .An attractive picture book celebrating a lighthouse keeper's dedication to her work." ― Booklist Caroline Arnold is the award-winning author of more than 100 books for children. She lives in Los Angeles, California. Rachell Sumpter is an artist and illustrator whose books include Down Under the Pier , published by Cameron Kids. She lives with her family in Seattle, Washington.