LIGHT A SINGLE CANDLE

by Beverly Butler ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 4, 1962

A routine visit to Dr. Kruger's office leads to an eye operation for Cathy Wheeler and the seemingly hopeless task of adjusting to blindness. At first Cathy makes an effort to lead a normal life, spurred on by the knowledge that her condition is not permanent. When her difficulties become unsurmountable, Cathy reluctantly agrees to enter Burton, a school for the blind. Here, Cathy finds life really intolerable. An interview with Miss Creel, the brusque director of Burton and Cathy decides to accept the challenge implied in Miss Creel's warning that she could never attend a public school. Her first active step is obtaining as seeing eye dog and Trudy joins the family. The second is engaging a reader who would also be a fellow student. Unfortunately Cathy's choice is a poor one. Joan encourage Cathy's dependence on her largely by instilling fear about other classmates and cruel teachers. For once Cathy's pride works for, not against her. Risking the possibility of ridicule, she disengages herself from Joan's clutches and allows Trudy to lead her to school. Before long, other students volunteer not only their help but their friendship -- and the mean English teacher turns out to provide an excellent gauge of Cathy's real abilities. This is an absorbing story for teenage girls who like Cathy will accept the tragic news that blindness is permanent- only at the end -- after the heroine proves herself capable of living.

Pub Date: Sept. 4, 1962

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dodd, Mead

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1962

Categories: FICTION