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The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry
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!
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!
192 pages, Hardcover
First published March 5, 2024
44 people are currently reading
4111 people want to read
About the author
Anna Rose Johnson
4 books310 followersStorytelling has always been a part of Anna Rose Johnson’s life—especially timeless tales tinged with vintage charm. She grew up fascinated by the early 20th century and now writes historical middle grade novels that reflect her love of classic children’s literature. A member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Anna Rose enjoys exploring her heritage through her stories, including her debut middle grade novel, The Star That Always Stays. Anna Rose lives on a farm in northern Wisconsin along with a delightful assortment of ponies, dogs, flowers, vegetables, and honey bees. You can visit her bookish blog at: http://annarosejohnson.com/blog/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 292 reviews
April 20, 2026
In a Nutshell: An OwnVoices middle-grade historical fiction about an orphan sent to live with a new family. Great use of the lighthouse setting. Annoying main character. Good secondary characters. Slightly repetitive and bland storyline. Minimal Ojibwe representation. I hope it will work better for the target age group.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Given that this is a middle-grade historical fiction by an OwnVoices author, I had had high expectations. But to my dismay, the execution barely worked for me.
Lucy is presented as a highly imaginative child, who uses various alter egos such as Countess, Princess, Waif, or Actress as a coping mechanism during difficult situations. This becomes quite interesting, but also ends up making Lucy appear condescending and manipulative at times. She is like a pale imitation of Anne of Green Gables, the OG imaginative child.
Lucy is supposed to be eleven and was earlier staying with a guardian who was very particular about things like language and social behaviour. So it is baffling to see Lucy being so rude in her questions to the Martins. She doesn’t even realise when she crosses the line. As such, she ends up a slightly annoying character who doesn’t follow instructions, makes mistakes, apologises and then goes through the whole cycle again, with no redemption or learning. Not only does it become tougher to root for Lucy, but the story also feels somewhat repetitive because of this. One more thing that bugged me in Lucy’s arc was her sorta-“crush” on a visiting boy – an absolutely unnecessary addition to the plot.
The Martins are far better characters at least in their general portrayal. The two parents and their six kids ranging in age from teen to toddler, offer a good mix of characters and personalities. I liked how easy it was to keep track of the Martin kids despite there being six of them – their individual traits came across well. There are some instances when the adult Martins could have done better by Lucy, especially when she was struggling with nightmares, but with so many kids and a difficult job, I can understand how challenging their situation already was. On the whole though, they are very loving and accepting as foster parents.
The writing highlights perfectly the difficulty of adjusting in a new family, especially a large one. Getting used to the routine, trying to feel a part of the established group, learning new things while trying not to get in the way – this all comes across realistically. Sadly, Lucy jumps to the erroneous conclusion that she must be useful to be loved and accepted, and the plot does nothing to dissuade her of this notion.
As the Martins stay in a lighthouse, we get a wonderful insight into life on a lighthouse island and the stringent requirements of being a lighthouse keeper those days. The lighthouse, the island, and the vast Lake Superior all create an excellent atmosphere especially during times of adventure.
There are two adventures in the book. One is Lucy’s quest for the necklace. Given that this is mentioned in the official blurb, I thought this would present an interesting challenge, especially as Lucy is wary of water. However, the search was almost an anti-climax, as she finds the object on her very first attempt and without much efforts. Where’s the challenge in that?!
Second,
The general vocabulary of the book is on the advanced side. (Here, I am talking of the English vocabulary and not the Anishinaabemowin or French words.) I enjoyed the precise phrasing, but it could go either way for middle-graders. There is a helpful glossary at the end containing all the Ojibwe and French words/phrases used in the book, along with their pronunciation guide.
A real missed opportunity in the book was having more info about Ojibwe culture. Lucy is supposed to be of French-Ojibwe heritage, and the Martins are also Anishinaabe. The Martins mention the importance of keeping heritage alive (a sentiment that won my heart!) and hence they teach Anishinaabemowin words to the kids. However, except for these random inclusions of Anishinaabemowin words, there is absolutely nothing about Ojibwe history or culture. Everything else about the Martin’s portrayal feels like that of standard white characters. In fact, the story contains some faith-based sentiments, but I am not even sure if the God referred to is the Christian God (many Ojibwe have converted to Christianity over the centuries and the lines sounded similar to what Christian believers might express) or some other indigenous God/divine entity. Such a disappointment from an OwnVoices work!
Overall, I think this book had its heart in the right place but needed much better plot and character development. Except for the Martin family and the description of life in the lighthouse, I didn’t find myself enjoying any aspect. Then again, mine is again an outlier opinion. (I am so tired of being an outlier!) So maybe you could read other reviews and take a better call on this OwnVoices work.
I cannot recommend this heartily, but it wasn’t so bad as well. Perhaps the right age group might enjoy this better. I would suggest co-reading this with your middle-graders and discussing the behavioural and cultural aspects for better understanding.
2 stars.
My thanks to Holiday House for providing the DRC of “The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
1912, Michigan. As eleven-year-old orphan Lucy Landry has no one to take care of her, she is sent to foster with a family selected by her late guardian. The Martins reside in a lighthouse in the middle of the gigantic Lake Superior. Lucy has been frightened of the water ever since her sailor father died at sea, but she doesn’t have any choice. Though the Martins are strangers to her, they seem kindhearted. However, there are too many of them and there is too much work to do, so Lucy struggles to fit in her new home. But one day, she learns that the lighthouse is near the site of a famous shipwreck that went down with the treasure her late father had been looking for. Lucy is determined to find that treasure in his memory. But how can she do that when she is still too frightened to travel on water?
The story comes to us in Lucy’s third-person perspective.
Given that this is a middle-grade historical fiction by an OwnVoices author, I had had high expectations. But to my dismay, the execution barely worked for me.
Lucy is presented as a highly imaginative child, who uses various alter egos such as Countess, Princess, Waif, or Actress as a coping mechanism during difficult situations. This becomes quite interesting, but also ends up making Lucy appear condescending and manipulative at times. She is like a pale imitation of Anne of Green Gables, the OG imaginative child.
Lucy is supposed to be eleven and was earlier staying with a guardian who was very particular about things like language and social behaviour. So it is baffling to see Lucy being so rude in her questions to the Martins. She doesn’t even realise when she crosses the line. As such, she ends up a slightly annoying character who doesn’t follow instructions, makes mistakes, apologises and then goes through the whole cycle again, with no redemption or learning. Not only does it become tougher to root for Lucy, but the story also feels somewhat repetitive because of this. One more thing that bugged me in Lucy’s arc was her sorta-“crush” on a visiting boy – an absolutely unnecessary addition to the plot.
The Martins are far better characters at least in their general portrayal. The two parents and their six kids ranging in age from teen to toddler, offer a good mix of characters and personalities. I liked how easy it was to keep track of the Martin kids despite there being six of them – their individual traits came across well. There are some instances when the adult Martins could have done better by Lucy, especially when she was struggling with nightmares, but with so many kids and a difficult job, I can understand how challenging their situation already was. On the whole though, they are very loving and accepting as foster parents.
The writing highlights perfectly the difficulty of adjusting in a new family, especially a large one. Getting used to the routine, trying to feel a part of the established group, learning new things while trying not to get in the way – this all comes across realistically. Sadly, Lucy jumps to the erroneous conclusion that she must be useful to be loved and accepted, and the plot does nothing to dissuade her of this notion.
As the Martins stay in a lighthouse, we get a wonderful insight into life on a lighthouse island and the stringent requirements of being a lighthouse keeper those days. The lighthouse, the island, and the vast Lake Superior all create an excellent atmosphere especially during times of adventure.
There are two adventures in the book. One is Lucy’s quest for the necklace. Given that this is mentioned in the official blurb, I thought this would present an interesting challenge, especially as Lucy is wary of water. However, the search was almost an anti-climax, as she finds the object on her very first attempt and without much efforts. Where’s the challenge in that?!
Second,
The general vocabulary of the book is on the advanced side. (Here, I am talking of the English vocabulary and not the Anishinaabemowin or French words.) I enjoyed the precise phrasing, but it could go either way for middle-graders. There is a helpful glossary at the end containing all the Ojibwe and French words/phrases used in the book, along with their pronunciation guide.
A real missed opportunity in the book was having more info about Ojibwe culture. Lucy is supposed to be of French-Ojibwe heritage, and the Martins are also Anishinaabe. The Martins mention the importance of keeping heritage alive (a sentiment that won my heart!) and hence they teach Anishinaabemowin words to the kids. However, except for these random inclusions of Anishinaabemowin words, there is absolutely nothing about Ojibwe history or culture. Everything else about the Martin’s portrayal feels like that of standard white characters. In fact, the story contains some faith-based sentiments, but I am not even sure if the God referred to is the Christian God (many Ojibwe have converted to Christianity over the centuries and the lines sounded similar to what Christian believers might express) or some other indigenous God/divine entity. Such a disappointment from an OwnVoices work!
Overall, I think this book had its heart in the right place but needed much better plot and character development. Except for the Martin family and the description of life in the lighthouse, I didn’t find myself enjoying any aspect. Then again, mine is again an outlier opinion. (I am so tired of being an outlier!) So maybe you could read other reviews and take a better call on this OwnVoices work.
I cannot recommend this heartily, but it wasn’t so bad as well. Perhaps the right age group might enjoy this better. I would suggest co-reading this with your middle-graders and discussing the behavioural and cultural aspects for better understanding.
2 stars.
My thanks to Holiday House for providing the DRC of “The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
January 29, 2024
Publication Date: 05th March 2024
4 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming
1912 (fictional setting)
Lucy is an eleven-year-old spirited French-Ojibwe orphan sent to live on the tiny Harmony Island with the large Martins family. She misses her papa (a sailor) and hopes to find the legendary ruby necklace he wanted to find but couldn’t.
Living on an island is hard when Lucy is afraid of water). Moreover, adjusting to the new life with the Anishinaabe family, the lighthouse keepers, isn’t easy. But no one could say Lucy can’t handle hard.
If only things were a little easier. Maybe a bit of effort is exactly what’s needed.
The story comes in Lucy’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
A book with a lighthouse, a title with alliteration, and an intriguing premise- do I need more to grab this one? Of course not.
The book starts with Lucy eavesdropping on a conversation. We get a glimpse into her character and begin to understand her delicate position. The poor girl lost her parents and guardian and is now thrust into an unknown family, that too, a large one.
Lucy is an engaging MC. She is far from perfect and often switches to different personalities as a coping mechanism. These define her means of coping with the sudden changes in the situation and her inability to handle them without feeling overwhelmed. I love how this enriches her arc throughout the book.
While the ruby necklace is important, it is not the central plot. The main theme is about Lucy finding her place in the Martins family. It’s not easy for both parties, as we can clearly see. The Martins already have six children ranging from high school to pre-nursery. Inserting an eleven-year-old longing for a family is not a stress-free task.
The setting and the lighthouse descriptions are clear enough to visualize the place but so elaborate that kids will lose interest. It helps that the island is super tiny (a smart move). There’s a map, which broke into a dozen pieces on my Kindle. Maybe it’ll look better in PDF on a computer screen. I wish we could see the drawing of the ruby necklace, too.
The Martins family, despite the large number, is easy to track. Everyone has a distinct personality, some rude, some sweet, some bored, but even they change as they get to know Lucy and accept her presence.
We are introduced to a few more characters who play minor but crucial roles in the plot’s progress.
There’s some adventure and one risky scene in the climax. It is essential to the plot and handled without feeling OTT.
The inclusion of Anishinaabemowin's words and Mrs. Martin’s determination to teach their native language to the children is so wonderful. I love it. As a pagan, I cannot stress enough the importance of this statement. Frame it, I say!
There’s a glossary of Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language) and French terms at the end, followed by acknowledgments. This helped understand the meanings of the words better, though most were explained within the story.
To summarize, The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry is a heartwarming, beautiful, and steady-paced book about a young girl facing her fears and finding a family to call her own. It’s also about grief, mourning, and being optimistic about life.
Thank you, NetGalley and Holiday House, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheLuminousLifeOfLucyLandry
4 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming
1912 (fictional setting)
Lucy is an eleven-year-old spirited French-Ojibwe orphan sent to live on the tiny Harmony Island with the large Martins family. She misses her papa (a sailor) and hopes to find the legendary ruby necklace he wanted to find but couldn’t.
Living on an island is hard when Lucy is afraid of water). Moreover, adjusting to the new life with the Anishinaabe family, the lighthouse keepers, isn’t easy. But no one could say Lucy can’t handle hard.
If only things were a little easier. Maybe a bit of effort is exactly what’s needed.
The story comes in Lucy’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
A book with a lighthouse, a title with alliteration, and an intriguing premise- do I need more to grab this one? Of course not.
The book starts with Lucy eavesdropping on a conversation. We get a glimpse into her character and begin to understand her delicate position. The poor girl lost her parents and guardian and is now thrust into an unknown family, that too, a large one.
Lucy is an engaging MC. She is far from perfect and often switches to different personalities as a coping mechanism. These define her means of coping with the sudden changes in the situation and her inability to handle them without feeling overwhelmed. I love how this enriches her arc throughout the book.
While the ruby necklace is important, it is not the central plot. The main theme is about Lucy finding her place in the Martins family. It’s not easy for both parties, as we can clearly see. The Martins already have six children ranging from high school to pre-nursery. Inserting an eleven-year-old longing for a family is not a stress-free task.
The setting and the lighthouse descriptions are clear enough to visualize the place but so elaborate that kids will lose interest. It helps that the island is super tiny (a smart move). There’s a map, which broke into a dozen pieces on my Kindle. Maybe it’ll look better in PDF on a computer screen. I wish we could see the drawing of the ruby necklace, too.
The Martins family, despite the large number, is easy to track. Everyone has a distinct personality, some rude, some sweet, some bored, but even they change as they get to know Lucy and accept her presence.
We are introduced to a few more characters who play minor but crucial roles in the plot’s progress.
There’s some adventure and one risky scene in the climax. It is essential to the plot and handled without feeling OTT.
The inclusion of Anishinaabemowin's words and Mrs. Martin’s determination to teach their native language to the children is so wonderful. I love it. As a pagan, I cannot stress enough the importance of this statement. Frame it, I say!
It may be fashionable these days to leave one’s heritage behind, but one day, you’ll regret not knowing the things your ancestors did.
There’s a glossary of Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language) and French terms at the end, followed by acknowledgments. This helped understand the meanings of the words better, though most were explained within the story.
To summarize, The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry is a heartwarming, beautiful, and steady-paced book about a young girl facing her fears and finding a family to call her own. It’s also about grief, mourning, and being optimistic about life.
Thank you, NetGalley and Holiday House, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheLuminousLifeOfLucyLandry
December 17, 2024
5+ stars (8/10 hearts). Okay, so I have wanted to read Anna Rose Johnson ever since her first book was released. I’ve heard so much praise of her, and this book justified all my hopes. It even exceed my hopes. It was absolutely delightful.
A 1912 Michigan lighthouse on a tiny island—what can be more enchanting? I adore Lake Superior, and I was thrilled to visit it again in this book. The descriptions of Gichigami are splendid, and fully brought the location to life with all its many moods. And although the island is tiny, its tenants make it a most wonderful stopping place.
The Martins are such a lovely little family. Mr. Martin and Mrs. Martin are some of the very best fictional parents I’ve ever had the honour to meet. They were so sweet and understanding, firm when necessary but so very loving! They almost never disappointed me—which is so rare, because when kids get in trouble in books I have so much difficult with the parents because they’re usually so NOT understanding! Maureen started off by rubbing me wrong (yikes, are ALL of us oldest sisters that poky??) but she mellowed out into an amazing big sister. Hazel stayed irritating for so long but ended up darling, and Ansel is the most typical boy, and you can’t help but love him despite everything. As for little Forest, he was an absolute doll and a gentleman, and my favourite in the whole book. The whole family was just so precious and perfectly imperfect! So realistic!
And then there’s their new member, a sensitive, imaginative orphan named Selena Lucy Landry (but she goes by Lucy). Little Lucy had her flaws, but she worked so hard to overcome them in the end, and she had so much heart and meant so well! She was exquisitely written. She was very realistic, she was perfectly written as a child, she reminded me of Anne Shirley more than any other fictional character I’ve ever come across… often “imaginative” characters are just frustrating and shallow but Lucy was real. And seriously, she was SO well done. Her mental narration was EXCELLENT.
The plot was fairly simple—Lucy had to get her new family to love her, the new family had to prove they were worthy light keepers, and Lucy had to find the lost treasure to prove to her Papa that she remembered him. (I forgot to mention how much I love Lucy’s parents, but especially her Papa!) The three things were woven so well together and flowed so naturally! I love the final dénouement—it fits JUST RIGHT and wraps everything up SO perfectly. And right up to there, the story is exciting and gentle and funny and sweet, the perfect combination of everything that makes an enjoyable, unforgettable book.
I don’t like modern books—but I LOVE this one. It’s so old-timey and adorable! It reminds me of all the lovely old books I love, like the Five Little Peppers and The Railway Children and the Bastables and others. It made me think of Edith Nesbit and Louisa May Alcott and Lucy Maud Montgomery and the wonderful authors of the past. As someone reared on classics and madly in love with them, who reads them endlessly, I was thrilled to find such a similar book. I can’t say enough praise for this darling new novel. Anna Rose Johnson is a new #1 favourite author of mine.
A Favourite Quote: “I was afraid to get in that boat, but—but sometimes when things are as bad as I think they’ll be, I get more courage than I would otherwise.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: Ansel deposited the egg ever so carefully in Lucy’s hand. A sense of awe overtook her, and she wondered how God could ever have dreamt up so many things—luscious brown eyes; spotted eggs both beautiful and nutritious; smiles like Forrest’s and his mother’s.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “I believe,” she said, slowly, “that we were fighting the British.”
“When?”
This was a stumper. […] “The War of Independence,” said Lucy, sounding far more confident than she truly felt inside. “On . . . the Lakes.”
[…] “The Great Lakes? You’re thinking of the War of 1812.” […]
Lucy’s face burned hotter than the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. (One of few historical incidents she could ever remember, since it had a charming ditty that went along with it, about a cow kicking over a lantern. The War of 1812 had no snappy lyrics.) “I think,” said Lucy, quickly turning into the Elderly Queen, complete with pince-nez and haughty manner, “that you ought to keep your nose in your own affairs and stop interfering.”
“As long as I’m the proud son of a lighthouse keeper, I’ll keep interfering,” said Ansel cheerfully. “This is our tower.”
The Queen felt her crown begin to slip off.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
A 1912 Michigan lighthouse on a tiny island—what can be more enchanting? I adore Lake Superior, and I was thrilled to visit it again in this book. The descriptions of Gichigami are splendid, and fully brought the location to life with all its many moods. And although the island is tiny, its tenants make it a most wonderful stopping place.
The Martins are such a lovely little family. Mr. Martin and Mrs. Martin are some of the very best fictional parents I’ve ever had the honour to meet. They were so sweet and understanding, firm when necessary but so very loving! They almost never disappointed me—which is so rare, because when kids get in trouble in books I have so much difficult with the parents because they’re usually so NOT understanding! Maureen started off by rubbing me wrong (yikes, are ALL of us oldest sisters that poky??) but she mellowed out into an amazing big sister. Hazel stayed irritating for so long but ended up darling, and Ansel is the most typical boy, and you can’t help but love him despite everything. As for little Forest, he was an absolute doll and a gentleman, and my favourite in the whole book. The whole family was just so precious and perfectly imperfect! So realistic!
And then there’s their new member, a sensitive, imaginative orphan named Selena Lucy Landry (but she goes by Lucy). Little Lucy had her flaws, but she worked so hard to overcome them in the end, and she had so much heart and meant so well! She was exquisitely written. She was very realistic, she was perfectly written as a child, she reminded me of Anne Shirley more than any other fictional character I’ve ever come across… often “imaginative” characters are just frustrating and shallow but Lucy was real. And seriously, she was SO well done. Her mental narration was EXCELLENT.
The plot was fairly simple—Lucy had to get her new family to love her, the new family had to prove they were worthy light keepers, and Lucy had to find the lost treasure to prove to her Papa that she remembered him. (I forgot to mention how much I love Lucy’s parents, but especially her Papa!) The three things were woven so well together and flowed so naturally! I love the final dénouement—it fits JUST RIGHT and wraps everything up SO perfectly. And right up to there, the story is exciting and gentle and funny and sweet, the perfect combination of everything that makes an enjoyable, unforgettable book.
I don’t like modern books—but I LOVE this one. It’s so old-timey and adorable! It reminds me of all the lovely old books I love, like the Five Little Peppers and The Railway Children and the Bastables and others. It made me think of Edith Nesbit and Louisa May Alcott and Lucy Maud Montgomery and the wonderful authors of the past. As someone reared on classics and madly in love with them, who reads them endlessly, I was thrilled to find such a similar book. I can’t say enough praise for this darling new novel. Anna Rose Johnson is a new #1 favourite author of mine.
A Favourite Quote: “I was afraid to get in that boat, but—but sometimes when things are as bad as I think they’ll be, I get more courage than I would otherwise.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: Ansel deposited the egg ever so carefully in Lucy’s hand. A sense of awe overtook her, and she wondered how God could ever have dreamt up so many things—luscious brown eyes; spotted eggs both beautiful and nutritious; smiles like Forrest’s and his mother’s.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “I believe,” she said, slowly, “that we were fighting the British.”
“When?”
This was a stumper. […] “The War of Independence,” said Lucy, sounding far more confident than she truly felt inside. “On . . . the Lakes.”
[…] “The Great Lakes? You’re thinking of the War of 1812.” […]
Lucy’s face burned hotter than the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. (One of few historical incidents she could ever remember, since it had a charming ditty that went along with it, about a cow kicking over a lantern. The War of 1812 had no snappy lyrics.) “I think,” said Lucy, quickly turning into the Elderly Queen, complete with pince-nez and haughty manner, “that you ought to keep your nose in your own affairs and stop interfering.”
“As long as I’m the proud son of a lighthouse keeper, I’ll keep interfering,” said Ansel cheerfully. “This is our tower.”
The Queen felt her crown begin to slip off.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
March 4, 2024
I am so utterly in love with the way Anna Rose Johnson manages to weave a story that feels like a breath from the past 🕰️ She captures all the vintage charm of my favourite classics in a tale that is absolutely infused with history!
The lighthouse setting was the main thing that drew me ⚓🌊🕯️ I loved seeing into the daily life of a lightkeeper and his family. It's evident how much research the author put into this, and I walk away definitely knowing a thing or two I hadn't before!
The Martin family was amazing, and I felt so at home with them 💙 They reminded me a lot of several of the large families I know, and that enabled me to imagine them super well!
As for a favourite character, I know it should probably be Lucy, but Forrest captured my heart from the beginning. He was such a sweetheart and a perfect gentleman 🥰 That being said, I feel like I know Lucy, and I can't help but love her to pieces too. Her growth was so evident over the course of the story, and her craving for love from her new family just about broke my heart. Hence, the ending made me tear up... 😭
This book is going on my favourites list, and I cannot wait for more from this author 😆
Note: I received an advanced reader copy from the author, and I was not required to leave a positive review. All views expressed are my own.
The lighthouse setting was the main thing that drew me ⚓🌊🕯️ I loved seeing into the daily life of a lightkeeper and his family. It's evident how much research the author put into this, and I walk away definitely knowing a thing or two I hadn't before!
The Martin family was amazing, and I felt so at home with them 💙 They reminded me a lot of several of the large families I know, and that enabled me to imagine them super well!
As for a favourite character, I know it should probably be Lucy, but Forrest captured my heart from the beginning. He was such a sweetheart and a perfect gentleman 🥰 That being said, I feel like I know Lucy, and I can't help but love her to pieces too. Her growth was so evident over the course of the story, and her craving for love from her new family just about broke my heart. Hence, the ending made me tear up... 😭
This book is going on my favourites list, and I cannot wait for more from this author 😆
Note: I received an advanced reader copy from the author, and I was not required to leave a positive review. All views expressed are my own.
April 10, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in a day! I love how poignantly Johnson depicts the quiet moments of growth that are so real to what the human experience is actually like.
October 15, 2024
3.5 Stars
Great selection for those who love Anne of Green Gables.
Great selection for those who love Anne of Green Gables.
August 8, 2025
See my interview with Anna Rose Johnson here!
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Growing up in the Great Lakes region, trips to lighthouses were standbys of family vacations. The idea of living in remote island lighthouses has never quite left me. A favorite was the lighthouse on Rock Island, which is off Washington Island, which is off the peninsula of Door County in Wisconsin, which got its name from sailors calling it Death's Door due to its nautical treachery. It is all very Romantic and Splendid in my mind but the practical part of me knows I would not enjoy it, especially in the winter. Having just visited one this summer, I happily nestled the story in familiar (summer) surroundings. Johnson included my favorite detail (the traveling library cabinets carried from lighthouse to lighthouse) and much more!
A few chapters in, I had to set the book down, and I chose a bookmark with The Story Girl on it because Lucy reminded me of Sara Stanley. Later in the book, Lucy encounters Sara for herself! Such a delight. Johnson is such a kindred spirit for me as a middle grade reader. Her cozy family stories have a solid realism, even with their imaginative fancies. Johnson has that spark of remembering what it's like to be a child that makes her books winners for me; even as an adult reader I am confident in this because I have introduced a middle schooler to Johnson's books and she loves them as much as I do.
I can't wait to see what Johnson writes next! I simply love her books. It's just the cherry on top that they are set in locations close to my heart, in addition to being in the same vein as my favorite middle-grade novels from childhood. And the cover of this one is endlessly delightful.
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Growing up in the Great Lakes region, trips to lighthouses were standbys of family vacations. The idea of living in remote island lighthouses has never quite left me. A favorite was the lighthouse on Rock Island, which is off Washington Island, which is off the peninsula of Door County in Wisconsin, which got its name from sailors calling it Death's Door due to its nautical treachery. It is all very Romantic and Splendid in my mind but the practical part of me knows I would not enjoy it, especially in the winter. Having just visited one this summer, I happily nestled the story in familiar (summer) surroundings. Johnson included my favorite detail (the traveling library cabinets carried from lighthouse to lighthouse) and much more!
A few chapters in, I had to set the book down, and I chose a bookmark with The Story Girl on it because Lucy reminded me of Sara Stanley. Later in the book, Lucy encounters Sara for herself! Such a delight. Johnson is such a kindred spirit for me as a middle grade reader. Her cozy family stories have a solid realism, even with their imaginative fancies. Johnson has that spark of remembering what it's like to be a child that makes her books winners for me; even as an adult reader I am confident in this because I have introduced a middle schooler to Johnson's books and she loves them as much as I do.
I can't wait to see what Johnson writes next! I simply love her books. It's just the cherry on top that they are set in locations close to my heart, in addition to being in the same vein as my favorite middle-grade novels from childhood. And the cover of this one is endlessly delightful.
January 29, 2024
Such a sweet story! I ended up staying up way too late reading this because I just had to know if Lucy finds that necklace.
I adored Lucy's perspective and the way she would take on different roles depending on her mood. It reminds me a lot of when I was younger and would play by myself.
My favorite character is probably Forrest (sorry Lucy!) because he reminds me of one of my older brothers. He's just so sweet to Lucy and hard not to love. But Lucy comes as a very close second with her spunk and courage. Not to mention, Lucy's tale reminds me so much of my own, though I never got to adventure in a lighthouse or on a boat.
My favorite scenes are spoilers, so I won't share them, but suffice it to say that they're the parts where you can see Lucy grow. These moments are such great reminders that courage is so important and a great embodiment of the quote "Courage is not the absence of fear . . ."
Simply put, Lucy embodies so much of my childhood and is a welcome reminder to enjoy your imagination even if others don't see the point.
As with Anna Rose's other book, even though it's middle grade the truths in the story are such great reminders for anyone. Her books are perfect family reads.
Note: I did receive and ARC, but all opinions are my own.
I adored Lucy's perspective and the way she would take on different roles depending on her mood. It reminds me a lot of when I was younger and would play by myself.
My favorite character is probably Forrest (sorry Lucy!) because he reminds me of one of my older brothers. He's just so sweet to Lucy and hard not to love. But Lucy comes as a very close second with her spunk and courage. Not to mention, Lucy's tale reminds me so much of my own, though I never got to adventure in a lighthouse or on a boat.
My favorite scenes are spoilers, so I won't share them, but suffice it to say that they're the parts where you can see Lucy grow. These moments are such great reminders that courage is so important and a great embodiment of the quote "Courage is not the absence of fear . . ."
Simply put, Lucy embodies so much of my childhood and is a welcome reminder to enjoy your imagination even if others don't see the point.
As with Anna Rose's other book, even though it's middle grade the truths in the story are such great reminders for anyone. Her books are perfect family reads.
Note: I did receive and ARC, but all opinions are my own.
February 14, 2024
A charming historical fiction novel for children with the vibes of Anne of Green Gables and an indigenous heroine! Lucy is a young French-Ojibwe girl who has been orphaned and is taken in by a large and loving family that runs a lighthouse. She's full of imagination, but that tends to get her into trouble as she struggles to adjust to her new life and find her place. All the while searching for a fabled ruby necklace that was lost in a shipwreck...
This is the second book I've read from this author and I think the way she writes young characters feels very reminiscent of LM Montgomery. This was funny and heartwarming, with plenty of mistakes and adventure. Definitely worth a read! The audio narration is excellent too. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
This is the second book I've read from this author and I think the way she writes young characters feels very reminiscent of LM Montgomery. This was funny and heartwarming, with plenty of mistakes and adventure. Definitely worth a read! The audio narration is excellent too. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
April 12, 2024
From the very first page I was captivated by this story. 🤩
I absolutely loved Anne of Green Gables when I was younger and Lucy Landry reminded me so much of her! If I'd had this book then I would've cherished it. I'm sure it would have been an instant favorite.
Even though I'm older now I still adored this book! The characters... Oh my heart. 🥰 I loved the family dynamics and Lucy trying to fit into that. Ack!
It was perfect. 💖
I'm recommending it to everyone in sight so if you haven't read it... Do yourself a favor and get a copy. 🥰
*I received a complimentary copy from Net Galley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved Anne of Green Gables when I was younger and Lucy Landry reminded me so much of her! If I'd had this book then I would've cherished it. I'm sure it would have been an instant favorite.
Even though I'm older now I still adored this book! The characters... Oh my heart. 🥰 I loved the family dynamics and Lucy trying to fit into that. Ack!
It was perfect. 💖
I'm recommending it to everyone in sight so if you haven't read it... Do yourself a favor and get a copy. 🥰
*I received a complimentary copy from Net Galley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read
December 1, 2025A sweet and heartfelt coming-of-age story of family and true treasure and the sea.
September 28, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! It's a cozy historical fiction that reminded me of L.M. Montgomery's Anne books. While it is meant for younger readers, it's a sweet, thought-provoking read that can appeal to the entire family. 5 stars, hands down
July 14, 2025
Sweet summery story with an imaginative and winsome protagonist who reminds me of Anne of Green Gables.
January 28, 2024
What an amazing book! Not only was the history well-researched, but I loved the representation and the characters. I am a bit old but I could resonate with Selena's toughness. Also, as a Canadian living near one of the Great Lakes, I always appreciate books set in a place that feels like home. So... yeah... the imagery was really well done!!!
<3
<3
March 18, 2024
I enjoyed this story of a highly imaginative orphan whose daydreaming often leads to trouble. She had shades of Anne Shirley, although Anne has more charm and is more sympathetic than Lucy. I think this story missed a great opportunity in educating its readers about the Ojibwe people and culture. It's mentioned many times that the Martin family lighthouse keepers and Lucy are descendants of the Ojibwe and Mr. Martin is teaching some of the old language to the children so they can hold on to their heritage. I loved this representation, but as someone who knows nothing of the Ojibwe myself, I did not learn anything about them from this book. It was very surface and the story suffers from it.
I also felt so sad for poor Lucy. Her mistakes are so huge and no one helps her learn from them. It guilts her into thinking she must make herself useful to be accepted by this new family and I felt that was a very melancholy takeaway for such a young girl.
The lighthouse, the island, the sea, the searching for shipwrecked treasures, all of this was compelling and evocatively written, I just wish some things had been more developed in this story.
I also felt so sad for poor Lucy. Her mistakes are so huge and no one helps her learn from them. It guilts her into thinking she must make herself useful to be accepted by this new family and I felt that was a very melancholy takeaway for such a young girl.
The lighthouse, the island, the sea, the searching for shipwrecked treasures, all of this was compelling and evocatively written, I just wish some things had been more developed in this story.
April 15, 2024
A short, heartfelt little story with an interesting cast of characters and a writing style that's vaguely reminiscent of coming-of-age classics. I simultaneously found Lucy endearing and annoying (particularly her character changes), and while the plot progressed relatively slowly and the ending was a trifle too idealistic for me, I enjoyed the author's honest portrayal of the emotions associated with adjusting to a new family situation.
She felt as if her happiness were bubbling up and running over the top of her heart, like a pot forgotten on a stovetop. Nothing would ever be the same again, and she didn't want it to be. She had never before known what the world could be like.
She felt as if her happiness were bubbling up and running over the top of her heart, like a pot forgotten on a stovetop. Nothing would ever be the same again, and she didn't want it to be. She had never before known what the world could be like.
April 16, 2024
One of my most anticipated reads of 2024, Lucy Landry did not disappoint! I loved the Anne of Green Gables feel to Lucy's character, and I'm wondering if anyone else read her as neurodivergent...
Great MG historical fiction. I can't wait for your next book, Anna Rose!!
Content:
Mild peril, Lucy is an orphan
Ages 7+
Great MG historical fiction. I can't wait for your next book, Anna Rose!!
Content:
Mild peril, Lucy is an orphan
Ages 7+
April 15, 2025
Oh my goodness! This was such a cute story, and the ending…ahhhh!!!!! This was my first of Anna’s books and I am so excited to read more 🤭
The one thing that I was a little disappointed about is that the character of the mother seemed a little flat. Other than that, I really loved it 😍
The one thing that I was a little disappointed about is that the character of the mother seemed a little flat. Other than that, I really loved it 😍
June 7, 2025
This was a delightful story! I didn’t know what to expect going into it—new-to-me author and all—but I ended up falling in love with Lucy and her new family.
To be honest, I went into this book a little worried that it would be hyper-politically correct. After all, stories containing “diverse” characters, Native American voices, etc., are the “in” thing right now, and while I love learning about different cultures, I don’t always appreciate it when the spotlight seems to be shone a bit overly much on specific topics. In this case, I was delighted by how the book turned out. There are hints of the Ojibwe culture throughout the story, but it always appears in normal, realistic ways—not as a loudly-tooted political statement. I was able to appreciate the story and the culture without feeling like it was preachy or rubbed in my face, and I loved that.
As far as Lucy goes…if you ever enjoyed Anne of Green Gables, Clementine, or Pippi Longstocking, you’ll likely adore Lucy. She’s thrust into several uncomfortable situations at the beginning of the story, and her coping mechanism is to come up with characters in a fantasy world in her head. These characters respond to the situation regally (or otherwise), and I got more than one chuckle out of her vivid imagination!
The large family element was a lot of fun. Coming from a large family myself, I enjoyed watching the children’s interactions together and the way Lucy tried to fit in.
The setting is also fun—as a Michigander, it was delightful to read about a lighthouse on Lake Superior, and envision the kind of climate and landscape Lucy found herself in.
Then, too, there’s the mystery. It might be a bit picture perfect, a bit too easily won, but it’s still fun—and definitely an adventure!
If you’re looking for a lighthearted, enjoyable book for your early- or middle-grade reader, I’d highly recommend you check out this book. I enjoyed this read!
To be honest, I went into this book a little worried that it would be hyper-politically correct. After all, stories containing “diverse” characters, Native American voices, etc., are the “in” thing right now, and while I love learning about different cultures, I don’t always appreciate it when the spotlight seems to be shone a bit overly much on specific topics. In this case, I was delighted by how the book turned out. There are hints of the Ojibwe culture throughout the story, but it always appears in normal, realistic ways—not as a loudly-tooted political statement. I was able to appreciate the story and the culture without feeling like it was preachy or rubbed in my face, and I loved that.
As far as Lucy goes…if you ever enjoyed Anne of Green Gables, Clementine, or Pippi Longstocking, you’ll likely adore Lucy. She’s thrust into several uncomfortable situations at the beginning of the story, and her coping mechanism is to come up with characters in a fantasy world in her head. These characters respond to the situation regally (or otherwise), and I got more than one chuckle out of her vivid imagination!
The large family element was a lot of fun. Coming from a large family myself, I enjoyed watching the children’s interactions together and the way Lucy tried to fit in.
The setting is also fun—as a Michigander, it was delightful to read about a lighthouse on Lake Superior, and envision the kind of climate and landscape Lucy found herself in.
Then, too, there’s the mystery. It might be a bit picture perfect, a bit too easily won, but it’s still fun—and definitely an adventure!
If you’re looking for a lighthearted, enjoyable book for your early- or middle-grade reader, I’d highly recommend you check out this book. I enjoyed this read!
September 11, 2025
The main character was a bit maddening for most of the book but I stuck it out.
November 14, 2023
I am so, SO excited to share with you all a book I'd been dying to read since I first heard of its existence. The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry won't be released until March 5 of next year, but I hope you all start pre-ordering and requesting your libraries to buy it as soon as you can, because it's beautiful and poignant and old-fashioned and wonderful.
Here's the publisher's description:
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 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!
I'd like to say that if any of you aren't at least a little bit tempted by a description that encompasses 1) a heroine reminiscent of and L. M. Montgomery character, 2) a big family story, 3) a treasure hunt, and 4) A LIGHTHOUSE… well, you might be human but are you actually a happy person? ;) Those elements make me very, very happy as a reader. They really made this story so beautiful and so much fun.
I won't write at length today about each of the lovely elements of Lucy Landry. But I do want to focus on the big family aspect, as that's solidly in my wheelhouse. A lot of big family stories capture the chaos and fun of a family of many siblings. Many get the sibling rivalry spot on, and most portray the firm bond of love between brothers and sisters. Few, in my experience, capture the way that it's not just the good things about us, but also our flaws and failures and annoying little habits that allow us to help each other grow. Family is a school of love and a school of life. Without rubbing up against each other's rough edges, we wouldn't have the chance to smooth out our own. The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry portrays this aspect of big family life more accurately than any story I've ever read. Lucy is a very flawed character. The Martins are, too. They don't get along very well at the onset, and it's not just a misunderstanding they grow out of—it's their flaws, front and center, there for everyone to see. But Lucy and the Martins are also, well, wonderful. They are more virtuous than they are flawed, and those virtues do a lot to ease that work of softening edges. And of course, you can't go wrong when you throw in a good adventure and a treasure hunt!
Here's the publisher's description:
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 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!
I'd like to say that if any of you aren't at least a little bit tempted by a description that encompasses 1) a heroine reminiscent of and L. M. Montgomery character, 2) a big family story, 3) a treasure hunt, and 4) A LIGHTHOUSE… well, you might be human but are you actually a happy person? ;) Those elements make me very, very happy as a reader. They really made this story so beautiful and so much fun.
I won't write at length today about each of the lovely elements of Lucy Landry. But I do want to focus on the big family aspect, as that's solidly in my wheelhouse. A lot of big family stories capture the chaos and fun of a family of many siblings. Many get the sibling rivalry spot on, and most portray the firm bond of love between brothers and sisters. Few, in my experience, capture the way that it's not just the good things about us, but also our flaws and failures and annoying little habits that allow us to help each other grow. Family is a school of love and a school of life. Without rubbing up against each other's rough edges, we wouldn't have the chance to smooth out our own. The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry portrays this aspect of big family life more accurately than any story I've ever read. Lucy is a very flawed character. The Martins are, too. They don't get along very well at the onset, and it's not just a misunderstanding they grow out of—it's their flaws, front and center, there for everyone to see. But Lucy and the Martins are also, well, wonderful. They are more virtuous than they are flawed, and those virtues do a lot to ease that work of softening edges. And of course, you can't go wrong when you throw in a good adventure and a treasure hunt!
January 30, 2024
Lucy's story is comparable to Anne of Green Gables, both of them imaginative orphans who come to live with new families and long to belong. I like how Lucy’s imagination influences her character voice and how she often uses it as a method for coping, but (to continue the comparison) whereas Anne is almost always warm and spilling over with emotions, sometimes Lucy’s coping techniques alienated me from her - especially the cool and aloof Princess.
But overall, Lucy is a sweet character, and she feels grounded and relatable in her not-always-successful attempts to help the Martins and in her yearning to find family after she’d lost her own. Even in that small scene where the Martins have an inside joke that Lucy doesn’t understand, sharpening her sense of aloneness. Anna Rose Johnson weaves her grief and desire to belong through the story in a less dramatic but no less profound way, showing the impact of every detail. From the big to the small things. That’s a valuable skill to have when you’re writing from a child’s perspective.
I always enjoy reading about big families, and the Martins are a fun group, especially in the context of living in a lighthouse. (Speaking of, I love the setting. So refreshing.) Forrest is a dear. Clessie is adorable. Maureen is a totally relatable older sister, and while Ansel got on my nerves at times, I appreciated how they each grew and developed in their own ways by the end of the story.
Miss Beaman is wonderful. I loved the scenes with her and I wish we could’ve seen more of her character on the page! She has a fun dynamic with Lucy, much older but brimming with just as much imagination, and that's sweet to read about.
Of course, the little details of Ojibwe culture woven in are vibrant and interesting and set this story apart. It's a lovely touch. I wonder a little about the believability of the climax, but the very last scene was a beautiful way to tie everything up. <3
She traced her finger along her name, wistfully, wishing he had said more.
Wishing that, on the day she arrived, a flag had been waved in the lantern room.
(I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.)
But overall, Lucy is a sweet character, and she feels grounded and relatable in her not-always-successful attempts to help the Martins and in her yearning to find family after she’d lost her own. Even in that small scene where the Martins have an inside joke that Lucy doesn’t understand, sharpening her sense of aloneness. Anna Rose Johnson weaves her grief and desire to belong through the story in a less dramatic but no less profound way, showing the impact of every detail. From the big to the small things. That’s a valuable skill to have when you’re writing from a child’s perspective.
I always enjoy reading about big families, and the Martins are a fun group, especially in the context of living in a lighthouse. (Speaking of, I love the setting. So refreshing.) Forrest is a dear. Clessie is adorable. Maureen is a totally relatable older sister, and while Ansel got on my nerves at times, I appreciated how they each grew and developed in their own ways by the end of the story.
Miss Beaman is wonderful. I loved the scenes with her and I wish we could’ve seen more of her character on the page! She has a fun dynamic with Lucy, much older but brimming with just as much imagination, and that's sweet to read about.
Of course, the little details of Ojibwe culture woven in are vibrant and interesting and set this story apart. It's a lovely touch. I wonder a little about the believability of the climax, but the very last scene was a beautiful way to tie everything up. <3
She traced her finger along her name, wistfully, wishing he had said more.
Wishing that, on the day she arrived, a flag had been waved in the lantern room.
(I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.)
April 12, 2024
3.5 stars
August 20, 2024
his was such a quick read - I can add it to my recommendations for edifying middle grade books.
Taking place in the early 1900s at a lighthouse on Lake Superior, we not only learning about the life of a lighthouse keeper, but we also meet the orphan Lucy - who comes to live with the lighthouse keeper and his family.
It was a sweet story about conquering fears, reliance on God, and acceptance and love.
I have now enjoyed both books by @annarosewriter! Ahhh - and she gives some nice shoutouts to home education, too 😉❤️.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Taking place in the early 1900s at a lighthouse on Lake Superior, we not only learning about the life of a lighthouse keeper, but we also meet the orphan Lucy - who comes to live with the lighthouse keeper and his family.
It was a sweet story about conquering fears, reliance on God, and acceptance and love.
I have now enjoyed both books by @annarosewriter! Ahhh - and she gives some nice shoutouts to home education, too 😉❤️.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 27, 2025
THISSS WASSS SO GOOD! But not as good as the Star that Always Stays
April 16, 2026
1.5 stars. It was kinda boring ngl
March 24, 2026
This was such a sweet, fun story! Lucy is a very dynamic character with all her various imaginings, and I could see a little bit of my childhood self in her. I loved the treasure hunt vibes in the book--again, it made my inner child very happy--even if it took a little bit for that plot to get going. I definitely wish this story had been around when I was a kid.
Sensitive topics/content:
-loss of parents
Representation:
-Ojibwe
-biracial
Sensitive topics/content:
-loss of parents
Representation:
-Ojibwe
-biracial
March 3, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet, uplifting story. It would be a wonderful read aloud for the whole family.
The characters and setting are absolutely delightful! If you’re a fan of Anne of Green Gables, you will love this book.
(I received an eARC of this book, but all opinions expressed are my own.)
The characters and setting are absolutely delightful! If you’re a fan of Anne of Green Gables, you will love this book.
(I received an eARC of this book, but all opinions expressed are my own.)
March 3, 2024
4.5 Stars
This book was everything I would want in a book that is likened to the vibes of an L.M. Montgomery book! The setting, the precocious orphan, the scrapes she gets into and the heroine adventures she embarks upon are wonderful.
Lucy is sent to live on a lighthouse island in the middle of Lake Superior with a large and loveable family of French Anishinaabe family. She herself is part of the Objiwe people and has never explored that side of herself. She lost her dad to a storm on the lake and has a healthy fear of the water, but wants to find this lost treasure that her father was seeking to remain close to his memory.
Along the way, Lucy finds herself trying to fit in, leading to disastrous results, but eventually she finds her place in this family, and maybe a key to solving the mystery of the missing ruby necklace.
I loved every moment of this story and the audio book was phenomenal; I would highly recommend, especially for anyone who loves Anne of Green Gables or any of LMM’s other delightful heroines.
*thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ALC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review*
This book was everything I would want in a book that is likened to the vibes of an L.M. Montgomery book! The setting, the precocious orphan, the scrapes she gets into and the heroine adventures she embarks upon are wonderful.
Lucy is sent to live on a lighthouse island in the middle of Lake Superior with a large and loveable family of French Anishinaabe family. She herself is part of the Objiwe people and has never explored that side of herself. She lost her dad to a storm on the lake and has a healthy fear of the water, but wants to find this lost treasure that her father was seeking to remain close to his memory.
Along the way, Lucy finds herself trying to fit in, leading to disastrous results, but eventually she finds her place in this family, and maybe a key to solving the mystery of the missing ruby necklace.
I loved every moment of this story and the audio book was phenomenal; I would highly recommend, especially for anyone who loves Anne of Green Gables or any of LMM’s other delightful heroines.
*thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ALC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review*
March 13, 2024
Orphaned Lucy is sent to a new home at the lighthouse on Harmony Island, where the large Martin family welcomes her in. Lucy is both joyful and terrified to be at the lighthouse. Terrified because she's afraid of water. Joyful because she's close to where the Elva Jane wrecked many years ago, and her papa told her many, many stories about the Elva Jane and the treasures that sank with it. Wouldn't it be delightful if she could find some of those treasures washed ashore? If only she were brave enough to go exploring!
Lucy has a huge imagination and copes with different life circumstances by pretending to be different characters. This reminded me very much of another famous orphan by the name of Anne Shirley. I believe fans of Anne and Lucy Maud Montgomery will fully enjoy Lucy's adventures.
I won't spoil the story, but let's just say Lucy gets into plenty of trouble but also experiences plenty of triumphs. Toward the end I actually teared up several times, and the ending itself made me full-on cry. I hope if you're at all inclined to read middle grade fiction that you'll give Lucy a try. You're in for a fully vintage treat!
I received my copy of the book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own.
This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.dreamwidth.org
Lucy has a huge imagination and copes with different life circumstances by pretending to be different characters. This reminded me very much of another famous orphan by the name of Anne Shirley. I believe fans of Anne and Lucy Maud Montgomery will fully enjoy Lucy's adventures.
I won't spoil the story, but let's just say Lucy gets into plenty of trouble but also experiences plenty of triumphs. Toward the end I actually teared up several times, and the ending itself made me full-on cry. I hope if you're at all inclined to read middle grade fiction that you'll give Lucy a try. You're in for a fully vintage treat!
I received my copy of the book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts in this review are my own.
This review originated at http://reviewsbyerin.dreamwidth.org
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