The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry
| Modern Age |
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 The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry
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American History > Modern Age > Indigenous American History
Lucy, a spirited French-Ojibwe orphan, is sent to the stormy waters of Lake Superior to live with a mysterious family of lighthouse-keepers—and, she hopes, to find the legendary necklace her father spent his life seeking…
Selena Lucy Landry (named for a ship, as every sailor’s child should be) has been frightened of the water ever since she lost her father at sea. But with no one else to care for her, she’s sent to foster with the Martins—a large Anishinaabe family living on a lighthouse in the middle of stormy Lake Superior.
The Martin family is big, hard-working, and close, and Lucy—who has always been a dreamer—struggles to fit in. Can she go one day without ruining the laundry or forgetting the sweeping? Will she ever be less afraid of the lake?
Although life at the lighthouse isn’t what Lucy hoped for, it is beautiful—ships come and go, waves pound the rocks—and it has one major advantage: It’s near the site of a famous shipwreck, a shipwreck that went down with a treasure her father wanted more than anything. If Lucy can find that treasure—a priceless ruby necklace—won’t it be like having Papa back again, just a little bit?
But someone else is hunting for the treasure, too. And as the lighthouse company becomes increasingly skeptical that the Martins can juggle Lucy and their duties, Lucy and the Martin children will need to find the necklace quickly—or they may not have a home at all.
The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry is a timelessly sweet tale of found family from rising Ojibwe voice Anna Rose Johnson, author of NPR Best Book of the Year The Star That Always Stays. Perfect for fans of L.M. Montgomery and Karina Yan Glaser!
Emily's Review
Dare I say that Anna Rose Johnson is a new favorite author? This is only their second book, but goodness, it was delightfully heartwarming. Their writing feels similar in tone and style to Little Women and Anne of Green Gables. It's rare to see writing that feels so vintage and classic in today's modern middle-grade books.
I think I enjoyed this even more than The Star That Always Stays. Lucy Landry is such an enchanting character. I found her to be very relatable in her desire to feel like she belongs somewhere. Her adventurous spirit reminded me so much of Anne Shirley. And the Martin family! They were so lovely. Even when Lucy felt like she was ruining everything and becoming a burden, they were always willing to help her learn the rules and fit in. And they lived in a lighthouse on a tiny island! So much scope for the imagination!
The story itself was simple enough - Lucy's parents have died and she has to be sent to live with the Martin's in their Lighthouse. She is reluctant to go except for the fact that they live on Mermaid Island, where her father has told her about a hidden treasure.So she has to go and find it!
I cannot wait to see what Anna Rose Johnson writes next!
Other Similar Books
Other suggestions on the subject of the Ojibwe Nation.
- Makoons (by: Erdrich, Louise, MG, UMG)
- The Birchbark House (by: Erdrich, Louise, MG, UMG)
- The Game of Silence (by: Erdrich, Louise, MG, UMG)
- The Porcupine Year (by: Erdrich, Louise, MG, UMG)
- Chickadee (by: Erdrich, Louise, MG, UMG)
- The Star that Always Stays (by: Johnson, Anna Rose, UMG)
- The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry (by: Johnson, Anna Rose, UMG)
- Firekeeper's Daughter (by: Boulley, Angeline, YA, A)