For hundreds of years lighthouses have warned ships and sailors of danger. Today lighthouses have electricity, radios, and radar to help them. Many years ago, however, dedicated lighthouse keepers used whale oil and petroleum for their lamps, and would often be cut off from other people for up to several months. It was their job to keep the lamps lit, to warn the ships at sea of dangerous rocks. Matinicus Rock is off the coast of Maine.

This is a true story about Abbie Burgess and her family. In the winter of 1856, her father, a lighthouse keeper, leaves to get badly-needed supplies and oil for the lamps. A violent winter storm rises almost as soon as he has left, making it impossible for Mr. Burgess to return for four weeks. Abbie, having promised her father that she would keep the lamps lit, spends the days and nights running up and down the lighthouse steps taking care of the lights. When her father finally returns he is very proud of Abbie.