Becoming Grace

Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres and Becoming Grace by Hilary McKay does not disappoint. McKay fictionalises the story of Grace Darling and her family who were custodians of the Outer Farne/Longstone lighthouses at Longstone Rock on the Outer Staple Islands near Bamburgh in Northumberland. Overcoming a fear of the sea following a near drowning event as a child, Grace supports her father, the lighthouse keeper, as he maintains the warning light for shipping in the often dangerous North Sea.

This book follows the childhood of Grace and her siblings as they make the most of an isolated island life until gradually, Grace is left as her father's only assistant. The wreck of the steamship Forfarshire in 1838 on the perilous Harcar Rock is the pivotal moment for Grace, testing her courage as she sets out in big wooden rowing boats called 'cobles' to rescue the shipwrecked passengers from certain death.

The life of Grace and her family, as depicted by Hilary McKay, relates both the hardship of the isolation and the effects of the elements alongside the contrast of the children playing with their dog, Happy, on the island, raising animals and visiting the mainland for supplies. The narrative's description brings their childhood story to life in an almost idyllic way but always with regular reminders of the potential dangers of the sea.

Tension is created with descriptions of the storms and the ever present danger of the rocky outcrops guarded by the reliable beam from the lighthouse. The dramatic front cover, illustrated by Keith Robinson, is both eye catching and enticing and each of the internal page illustrations use light and dark to maintain the central themes of the book.

Becoming Grace is a fantastic addition to the Barrington Stoke catalogue of super readable dyslexia friendly books. It brings history to life in a powerful retelling of the story of the bravery of Grace Darling and beautifully illustrates a time when the sacrifices of lighthouse keepers and their families were often the only thing that stood in the way of the destruction of shipping along our treacherous coastline and the loss of lives at sea.

Highly recommended for older primary school aged students and younger secondary school aged students and a welcome addition to school library collections.

Suggested Reading Age 9+