The Lighthouse Land, of The Lighthouse Trilogy, by Adrian McKinty.
The Lighthouse Land
The Lighthouse Land (Abrams, 2006) is the first installment of The
Lighthouse Trilogy. It tells the story of Jamie O'Neill, a cancer
survivor who has lost his left arm and since has refused to speak. The
book sets its stage in Harlem, New York, where Jamie and his mother,
Anna, live until they receive a letter informing them that Anna has
inherited the Lighthouse House and Muck Island, both in Ireland, from
her grandfather. Upon moving to Ireland, Jamie meets a new friend,
Ramsay, and the two of them discover a secret about the lighthouse: a
secret room. Inside this room is an object, referred to as the salmon,
which takes them to a new world and a new adventure. There they come
across strange new beings; aliens from a world completely unlike our
own. The first of these aliens they meet is Wishaway, princess of the
Aldans, whom Jamie later falls in love with. She is described as
having four fingers on each hand, yellow hair, and pointed ears. Jamie
learns her land is in danger from a coming foe, and the hopes of the
Aldan people rest on his shoulders.
The book was shortlisted for the
2008 Young Hoosier Award and also for the 2008 Beehive Award.