The Bravest Woman in America

The story of lighthouse keeper Ida Lewis

Around the turn of the twentieth century, the most famous lighthouse keeper in the United States was Ida Lewis of Rhode Island’s Lime Rock light.  During her 39 years at the light station—beginning at age fifteen when she became unofficial assistant to her lightkeeper father, and later as keeper in her own right—Ida was credited with rescuing 18 people from the dangerous waters of Newport harbor.   This picture book, highlighted by Andrea U’ren’s energetic illustrations, tells the story of Ida’s first rescue, when she rowed out into a winter storm to rescue three boys from their sinking sailboat.

Author Marissa Moss has written several other good children’s books about courageous women from American history, including pioneer aviator Harriet Quimby (Brave Harriet),  baseball pitcher Jackie Mitchell, (Mighty Jackie), World War II pilot Maggie Gee (Sky High),  and Sarah Edmonds (Nurse, Soldier, Spy: the Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero).