Grace Darling has always been a heroine in our house. At the age of three, my daughter was completely enthralled by a boat trip out to the Farne Islands while on holiday in Northumbria. She loved the lighthouse, the puffins and the story of Grace Darling’s bravery as she helped her father rescue nine people from the wreck of the Forfarshire on Harcar Rock in 1838. She imagined what it would be like to live on the islands, cut off from the mainland with homeschooling and rough seas.
Becoming Grace is the truly engaging story of Grace Darling’s early life. Often studied as a ‘significant individual’ in the primary History curriculum, this book will be an invaluable resource to support learning and Reading for Pleasure.
Of course, before she gained noteriety for her courage and determination, Grace was a little girl. In Becoming Grace, readers discover her relationship with her siblings, her love of island life, her brilliant puppy “Happy” and the challenges that come with being a lighthouse keeper’s daughter. Grace learned to row the coble (the family’s wooden boat), polish the lantern room, care for shipwreck survivors and watch for boats as they made their way in and out of harbours. Grace’s fear of drowning from an early accident makes her courage in the storm even more powerful.
Readers will have opportunity to consider gender expectations of the time period, the responsibilities held by lighthouse keepers, the dangers of the rocks along the coast of Northumberland and the reality of loneliness when living remotely.
Keith Robinson’s illustrations bring energy and movement to this stormy life near the sea. Emotion pours out of the characters’ faces as they experience longing, fear, desperation and joy.
Barrington Stoke can always be relied on to create entertaining, meaningful, empathy-filled stories that are accessible and empowering for readers. With dyslexia-friendly font, spacing and page tint, everyone can enjoy these books. The manageable length and carefully chosen vocabulary encourages success and brings children back for more.
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