Drill the four corners of the 1-by-8-inch pine boards together to form the box's structure. Use two screws in each corner. Attach a plywood backing on whichever side will be the bottom of the light box. Screw it to the structure. Drill a hole in the back around an inch wide. This will serve as the opening for the electrical cord.
Find a fluorescent light small enough to fit inside the 8-inch length of the light box. Mount the light to the bottom inside the light box. Run screws through the plastic mounting holes in the base of the light.
Cut out a piece of translucent acrylic that is equal to the size of the light box. Punch holes for registration pegs in this. Attach to the top of the light box.