[.ca] Keeper of the Isis Light (ISBN 0887765084)

Amazon.ca:
First published in 1980, The Keeper of the Isis Light is now recognized as one of the most important works of Canadian speculative fiction for young readers. The first volume in Monica Hughes's Isis trilogy, it tells the story of 16-year-old Olwen Pendennis, the "keeper" of a communication satellite on Isis, an uninhabited planet with a harsh and unfriendly environment. On the eve of her 16th birthday, in the midst of a celebratory dinner prepared by her robot mentor and only companion, Guardian, Olwen receives a signal from Earth informing her that 80 settlers will shortly be arriving to colonize the planet. Nervous at the thought of her home being overrun by the settlers, and fearful of the changes their arrival will mean to her life, Olwen is, however, unprepared to be shunned and ostracized by the colonists, who see her as little less than a monster. In one of the book's most singularly dramatic moments, Hughes reveals that in order to protect Olwen from Isis's environment, Guardian took it upon himself to "modify" her: he toughened her skin to withstand UV rays and added an extra eyelid to protect her eyes from the sun, deepened her rib cage and widened her nostrils to help her breathe, strengthened her ankles and thickened her fingernails to help her better negotiate Isis's rugged and rocky terrain, and, perhaps most distressing of all to the settlers, altered her metabolism and changed her skin colour for protection from poisonous plants and insects. Olwen tries to make friends with the colonists, but they are unable to accept her as she is and, ultimately, she decides to withdraw from any further contact with them. Keeper is an exciting and thought-provoking novel that is as relevant today as when it was written more than two decades ago. For the many readers who will want to know what happens next, Olwen's story continues in The Guardian of Isis and The Isis Pedlar. (Ages 10 and older) --Jeffrey Canton

The Keeper Of The Isis Light:
Carmen The Keeper of the Isis Light 11/26/02 By: Monica Hughes I love the book The Keeper Of The Isis Light for many different reasons. In this book there is a teenager named Olwen who lives with her friend Guardian on an abandoned planet named Isis. Olwen doesn't have any parents but she has a loving dragon-dog named Hobbit. Her friend Guardian protects her and keeps her on her feet, but Guardian is different than most caretakers. Guardian will never tell Olwen about anything that is going on which is totally unfair, but since she's one of the only people he knows he spoils her rotten. He has a secret to his past that no one knows. I love this book so much because it is in the future and there are a lot of really cool things on the planet. I would recommend this book to someone who likes Science Fiction and Fantasy. Another book in the series is The Guardian of Isis. This is a great book!

Not all that glitters is gold ..:
I read childrens and young adult literature occaisonally - some of my most cherished posessions are "kids books" - Dahl, Berrie, Pyle, and Carroll to name a few - I am happy to say that I can finally add to that list - Monica Hughes words remind me WHY I enjoy reading so much - Not many books do - too serious ...

It's not that easy bein' green:
There are plenty of books out there about powerful young women. In these stories the female protagonists usually either have super powers or were born as magical semi-human beings. "The Keeper of the Isis Light" is a little different than partly because the main character spends much of the book in a complete fog about her life, her capabilities, and who she truly is. The book is as much about overcoming the prejudices of others as it is about the meaning of happiness and its importance. If you're looking for a book that explores deep emotional and spiritual issues in a sci-fi context, I think you've found your match. Olwen Pendennis was born on the planet Isis ten years ago (sixteen by Earth's sun). Living alone with only her faithful companion Guardian to keep her company, Olwen leads a rich and exciting life on her planet's surface. As the official Keeper of the Isis Light, Olwen's job is to maintain the signal that radios information about Isis's surface to Earth for future colonists. When these settlers appear one day, Olwen finds her world strangely shaken. Guardian has done his best to keep Olwen safe and happy while living on Isis, but now she must deal with other people and all the good and bad things humans can do. Through it all, Olwen discovers truths about herself and her own inner strength and abilities that she might never have found while living contentedly on her own. In the end, the reader is left wondering whether or not it's a good thing Olwen met with these colonists and, if good, how. I was incredibly disappointed that the book flap accompanying this little novella gave away too many of the book's delightful secrets. My advice to you if you want to read this story is to go into it blind. Don't read any more of the synopsis than the one I've given you above. It'll only ruin the surprises that dot this intricate book. There are many things to love here as well. The plot is tight and well formed. Olwen never questions her happy existence until the moment that things begin to change. In many ways she's like Miranda in "The Tempest". In another, she's Caliban. Author Monica Hughes is particularly good as conjuring up a visual sense of the Isis landscape. In this story you see the planet as the heroine does and you regret (as she does) that settlers have arrived to muck it up. I also loved the Guardian in this tale. A character that professes to not feel emotions, he often belies this idea by growing agitated, touched, or worried at key moments. Now for my favorite part of any review. The flaws! Actually, there aren't many to complain about in this book. Originally published in 1980, "The Keeper of the Isis Light" suffers from a few pre-P.C. terms. A black child, for example, is referred to as "negroid" at one point. Later, that same child (though supposedly nine years of age) acts far more like a six year old. Thus ends my summary of all flaws this book contains. As you can see, they're few in number. Great science fiction books use metaphors and grandiose plots to discuss universal ideas. In many ways, "The Keeper of the Isis Light" is very similar to the great Sylvia Engdahl book, "Enchantress From the Stars". Both books talk about prejudice and feature incredibly strong female characters. In this book, however, there are some uniquely emotional moments. The story is written in a crisp approachable style that will never go out of date. If you've a kid interested in sci-fi or just wants a low key introduction to it, this book is the perfect offering. A book that will be well remembered for years to come (I hope).

It has been so LONG!:
I read this book in juniour high. I thought it was great then, but I am terrible with titles! If it helps at all, I read it in the 7th grade, when I was 12. That was 18 years ago! I have been trying to remember the name of the book, or the author for years! I finally went into my favorite search engine and ended up typing in "a pet named hobbit" and managed to find this book! Now that I know the name of the book and the author, I intend to re-read this book, and let my 6th grade son read it as well. It definitely made a lasting impression on me!

Dealing with appearances:
A must-read for any teen or pre-teen, especially those struggling with the age-old problem of appearances in society and what their peers think of them! Olwen, having grown up on Isis under the protection of Guardian for 16 Earth years, has no reason to see herself as "different" until the Earth settlers arrive. Still under Guardian's protection, she does see herself as beautiful; her beauty is functional and has helped her survive. What ensues in the story is mind-opening and riveting for anyone who has dealt with discrimination, being ostracized for being "different," or being rejected by a loved one for something you can't change. I wish I'd read this as a teen! Hughes has touched on an issue that is a common and enduring problem.