The Light at Tern Rock (Puffin Newbery Library) by Julia L. Sauer, George Schreiber

A Newbery Honor Book

Will Ronnie have to spend Christmas stranded in a lighthouse?
 
Ronnie and his aunt are tending the Tern Rock lighthouse for two December weeks while its keeper takes a much-needed vacation. Ronnie learns to love the slap of the waves against the Rock, sleeping in a bunk, climbing the winding staircase, and lighting the great lamp each night, and he looks forward to telling his family about it Christmas. But the days go by, and the lighthouse keeper doesn’t return to take them home.
 
“Julia Sauer has again captured in words the delight of a perfect moment.” —Library Journal 

"A beautiful story." —The Christian Science Monitor