An impressive work of historical fiction about the life of Joseph de Veuster, better known around the world as Father Damien, has been published locally and just in time for the newest saint's canonization Oct. 11 in Rome.

The book begins with Father Damien (called Jef as a boy) ice-skating with his sister in Belgium. It is a harrowing scene that, in a sense, foreshadows much of how the man will approach life as it unfolds. Father Damien falls into freezing water when the ice collapses beneath him:

"Struggling to stay above the water, he ripped off one of his skates and used the blade to hack at the thin ice. His hands were numb by the time he reached ice that did not break when he hit it. It was strong enough to hold his weight."

Father Damien was strong and healthy because of his boyhood work on the family farm. His physical strength would later come to play a key role in his work here in the Islands.

Seven chapters cover his journey to become a priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, his 1864 voyage to Honolulu, and the hardships he endured throughout his missionary work with Hansen's disease patients on Moloka'i.

"Father Damien" is written for readers who are ready to move up from picture books to books with chapters. The author, Laura E. Williams, who grew up in Hawai'i, has more than 30 published books to her credit. Her picture book "The Long Silk Strand" was featured on the PBS show "Reading Rainbow." Kristen Kofsky's illustrations are well suited to the material.

The book closes with an explanation of what's real and what's not, and factual details that help fill in the blanks. All in all, a terrific little book.