The Light at Tern Rock

The Light at Tern Rock is a short children’s novel by American author and librarian, Julia Sauer. Published in 1951, The Light at Tern Rock received a Newbery Honor award in 1952. The story follows eleven-year-old Ronnie and his aunt, Martha Morse, who agree to give lighthouse keeper Byron Flagg a two-week vacation and care for the light on Tern Rock during his absence. Mr. Flagg promises to return Martha Morse and Ronnie to the mainland in time for Christmas. When Mr. Flagg breaks his promise, Ronnie and Martha Morse are stranded at the lighthouse for the holiday. In The Light at Tern Rock, Sauer sensitively explores themes of responsibility, empathy, and the true meaning of Christmas. School Library Journal writes that “Julia Sauer has again captured in words the delight of a perfect moment.”

Byron Flagg doesn’t have to work too hard to convince Martha Morse to substitute for him on Tern Rock. Together with her husband, Irvin, Martha lived at the Tern Rock lighthouse for fourteen years. She only returned to the mainland when Irvin died. Now, Martha lives on the edge of the village, slowly readjusting to life with friends and neighbors after the “beauty and isolation” of the Rock. Mr. Flagg understands that living at the lighthouse changes a person. He knows she longs to return, and Martha admits that she is homesick for the most “lonesome place in the world.” Mr. Flagg also knows it will be fun for her nephew, Ronnie, to stay at the light. Ronnie is excited at the prospect but concerned about missing Christmas. Mr. Flagg assures Ronnie and Martha that he will be back on December 15th. Even if a squall comes up, it will only delay him by a day or two at most. Martha gets Mr. Flagg’s promise that he will return on time.

Tern Rock is only 200 feet long and looks tiny in the middle of the big ocean. Ronnie and Martha Morse are thrilled to be at the lighthouse and are conscious of the big responsibility they now hold: They must keep the light lit to protect the safety of the ships at sea. Martha Morse tells Ronnie that “Lighthouses…are like a helping hand reaching out from Heaven itself,” and that tending them is good work. The lighthouse features one cozy, clean main room that is both kitchen and living room, and two rooms with bunk beds. Ronnie and Martha Morse quickly settle into a routine. Together they turn the big lamp off in the morning and fill the day with fishing, cleaning and caring for the light, and schoolwork for Ronnie. In the evening, they light the lamp and enjoy supper, then read or play games before bedtime. Martha Morse is surprised how well active Ronnie adapts to the monotony of the Rock. They both enjoy the “ever-present music” of the sea and the cries of the birds.



December 15th arrives, but Mr. Flagg does not. Ronnie is upset that the man broke his promise, but Martha Morse suggests that some mitigating circumstance may have arisen. As days go by and still Mr. Flagg does not appear, Ronnie grows angrier. He thinks that promise-breaking is the most wicked thing on earth, but Martha Morse suggests there are worse things, like cruelty. She tells Ronnie he will have to get used to broken promises in life, and that yes, promise-breakers are “mean,” but sometimes it is important to know the reasons behind the promise-breaking. She says they must accept the fact that Mr. Flagg is not coming before Christmas.

Martha Morse declares that they should clean the lighthouse for Christmas, to be ready for the Christ Child when he goes visiting on Christmas Eve. While cleaning, Ronnie finds a seaman’s chest with a note that reads “Christmas greetings” and Ronnie’s name. Ronnie flies into a rage, understanding that Mr. Flagg never intended to come back before Christmas. Martha Morse opens the chest and discovers exotic treats like West Indies red peppers and strange sweets, as well as a cashmere shawl for herself, exquisitely carved whalebone and ivory toys, and a letter from Mr. Flagg. Ronnie wants nothing to do with the chest, declaring that he can’t be bought by Mr. Flagg’s gifts. Martha Morse, on the other hand, realizes that Mr. Flagg has been saving up these treasures to give to them.

Ronnie wants to fire off the lighthouse cannon and summon help to get them off the Rock, but Martha Morse refuses. She makes it clear that the cannon is for emergencies like shipwrecks, and that she is done with Ronnie’s self-pity and his tantrums. She refuses to let a “sniveling small boy” ruin Christmas. Martha Morse tells Ronnie that she is also sad to miss singing carols with her friends, but that Christmas is “something in your heart.” She plans to have her heart be “clean and ready for Christmas” and will do it herself. Martha Morse ignores Ronnie while he sulks.



On Christmas Eve, Martha Morse decorates their table with cake, cookies, and other items from the chest. She and Ronnie go up to light the lamp. Outside, the air is still, and the ocean is quiet. They see the beautiful green and golden glow left by the setting sun. Ronnie recognizes the beauty of the moment. He asks to hear Mr. Flagg’s letter. Mr. Flagg admits that he played a mean trick on them, but he had never spent a Christmas with young children and wanted to spend time with his niece’s large family. Ronnie realizes that people around the world are putting candles in their windows for the Christ Child and that he and Martha Morse have lit the biggest candle ever. Now, Ronnie is happy to celebrate Christmas in “the loveliest place in all the world.”

The Light at Tern Rock features illustrations by American Scene painter, Georges Schreiber. His evocative black and white pictures capture the vibrancy of the characters and evoke a strong sense of place.