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Sisters of Scituate Light


Sisters of Scituate Light by Stephen Krensky chronicles the true story of brave sisters during the War of 1812. Left alone to guard the lighthouse and adjoining home, Rebecca and Abbie Bates used a simple song to advert a raid by British
soilders. Late one night Abbie discovered a warship approaching Scitutate Harbor. The British had recently visited the harbor, where they burned boats and plundered the docks. Her heart was in her throat, but Abbie knew she must act quickly. The sisters crept outside and hid from the view of the enemy. They began playing a drum and fife version of the popular Colonial song "Yankee Doodle Dandy." This song meant soilders were in the area. Hearing the music, the British reversed their boats so fast one of their soilders was actually thrown overboard. The dialoge comes from the girls' magazine interviews which they gave many years later. Soft watercolor illustrations by Stacey Schuett compliment this little slice of War of 1812 history.

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