Anna Rose Johnson wrote one of my favorite middle-grade books, The Star That Always Stays. I fell in love with the characters and the themes Anna Rose writes about.
For that reason, I was so excited when I heard that Anna Rose’s second book was coming out this spring! I pre-ordered the book last year and forgot about it until the package arrived earlier this week. That was an exciting day! The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry did not disappoint. It’s another outstanding MG novel, set in a lighthouse on an island!
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.
Lucy Landry is a wonderful heroine. She’s smart, determined, and curious. However, those traits can also get her in trouble. As the summary says, she’s a dreamer. Lucy likes to dream of different scenarios where she’s a queen, a princess, or a fairy. In a home – and lighthouse – where order, spotlessness, and cooperation is essential, daydreaming doesn’t exactly fit in. I do like how Lucy doesn’t easily change who she is. Even though the Martin children thinks she’s a little weird for thinking she’s the “Princess of Acadia,” Lucy persists.
Being with the Martin children is good for Lucy. Ansel and Maureen aren’t always thrilled that’s she’s living with the family, but for the most part, they get along. Forrest, the middle brother, is especially kind to Lucy, and tries to understand. Eventually, Lucy helps the family in a way that only she could.
Part of Lucy’s story is learning to trust and overcoming fears. At first, Lucy feels like she’s a burden on the Martin family. Not only is she unlike any of the siblings, but she is also unaccustomed to lighthouse life and the rules and regulations accompanying that lifestyle. I think Anna Rose portrayed Lucy’s feelings and attempts to help very well. Feeling like you’re on the outside of things is hard, especially if you’re grieving the loss of a grandmother figure and your father. I felt so much for the girl; she tried so hard. But Lucy doesn’t give up, and the book ends with an especially sweet event. I won’t give it away, but reading that chapter made me so happy!
The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry is a book that I’ll read again and again. It’s a story with a classic, vintage feel. The lighthouse setting is a fascinating one; I enjoyed learning a little bit about lighthouse keepers and their families while reading. It’s easy to see that Anna Rose puts a lot of research into her books.
In conclusion, The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry is a new book that has that timeless feel similar to Anne of Green Gables.
