Recently an email pops into my work emails and it says that I have been chosen to read a book in an online reader format. Fantastic! When did I enter/ask for this book? I could not remember even seeing The Light Keeper by Sheila Baslaw, Karen Levine, and Alice Priestley before. But that would work in my favor as I had no preconceived notions about things.
While I have read the theme of the story before (the idea of being brave), it was new and refreshing. And the personal touch (in the author afterwards) was nice. Having a personal touch is always nice, but it can backfire, too, as you are too emotionally attached, but I think the authors did a good job keeping it just personal emotion enough). The story of a poor Jewish boy at the turn of the century is still relevant today. Not just because his village is getting electric lights for the first time, but because it talks about home, family and community as well. 
And the illustrations are really lovely. They set the softer tone of the bigger picture and though it is cozy, they are still strong and show the determination of the characters. Maybe they are a smidgen romantic, but overall, everything is wrapped up in a good package. My favorite one is near the end when the mayor of the town asks our young protagonist to help them with an issue they are having. To be a bit flowery myself, it really pops and blooms off the page.
This book is due in October of 2024. I hadn’t realized how many books I have read by the publisher Orca Book Publishers’ subsidiary Second Story Press (at least seven, maybe 10l) and have at least another three or four on my radar. If you are looking for books that are indigenous based, bilingual (Spanish and native languages), LGBTQ+, and other not mainstream reading, this is a company to look into. And on a personal note, I shared my online reader with a friend who mostly agrees with my surface feelings. However, I know she would have a deeper understanding of things due to having a personal connection with the subject. Therefore, this book works for many different audiences and each one will take something different away after reading.
If you would like a similar, but also different read, A Turkish Rosh Hashanah, is a good start!
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