The concept and theme of this book are interesting as well as the historical setting. I love stories with lighthouses and a big cast of characters because they may promise more volumes. It's a lot of open opportunities to explore each one and their predicaments. They are all so energetic, frontal (honest), and trying to work together. I do hope there will be more.
Only almost at the end, I understood the main reason for her obsession with finding the necklace and it gave more depth.
Our main character is a young girl who just lost her family and is not trying to find her place in a new with many sisters and brothers. She has a terrible fear and is a bit clumsy when she daydreams too much, but throughout the book she learns, thrives, and grows a lot. Took me a bit to understand the direction and intentions of the author with some actions and by being plot-driven it makes the events too sudden and convenient. But if this is an introduction to a series, then it introduces well the mood and the family vibe for future adventures (I hope so).
I love languages and learning new words, it was great to have some Obijwe and French too with a glossary at the end. Perfect for readers of historical fiction and Anne Shirley.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I thought this book was interesting. I liked the illustrations. I can imagine someone in 3rd or 4th grade would like this book. Lucy was a great main character. This wouldn't be the best book for younger readers (too long), but I can see slightly more mature readers enjoying it.



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The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry is a sweet book good for upper elementary age students. It’s just what you’d expect from a book about an orphan sent to live with a family of eight in a lighthouse on Lake Superior in 1912 - heartwarming and cozy. Lucy, herself, is loveable and quirky and the lighthouse on Harmony Island was a fantastic setting.

I really enjoyed the first 75% of this book, and then struggled with the last quarter. I get that you sometimes need to suspend disbelief when reading a story like this one, but the way this book wraps up didn’t make sense to me. I was also disappointed that Ojibwe culture didn’t play more into the book than it did. It seemed like a missed opportunity.

It might be a fun read aloud to younger children (1st through 3rd grade) but probably not one that I’d read to a whole class. There’s not enough depth in the story. I would warn any parents reading it aloud that there’s a mention of Santa right at the end of the book that I would skip over.

Thanks NetGalley and Holiday House/Peachtree/Pixel+Ink for the ARC of this book.

This was so lovely. I appreciated this middle grade historical fictional story about Lucy, who is sent to a lighthouse island with the Martins after her last caretaker passes away. Her father passed away a few years ago searching for a necklace and her mother years before then.

It’s 1912, and Lucy is now 11 years old and navigating being an orphan, but trying her best to fit in with the Martins, as she has no one left. She has five new siblings, her bed is in the girls’ room’s closet, and she is focused on finding treasure (the one her dad was searching for!) but she has a real phobia of being on a boat/on the water. In the boat ride over, she has a panic attack (what I interpreted it as, but I could be wrong!) and obviously this is a big problem if she wants to go on this quest.

Overall, I found Lucy’s story to be bittersweet, tender and so easy to zoom through. The writing flowed well, and I was so appreciative of reading the perspective of a French-Ojibwe and other indigenous characters. This book has themes of belonging, chosen family, and brings up such fascinating lighthouse history on the Great Lakes that I wasn’t aware of!

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 😆

The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry
Anna Rose Johnson
After her father was lost at sea eleven-year-old Lucy was sent to live with a foster family, the Martins. They are a large family that live on a lighthouse in the middle of Lake Superior on Harmony Island. Lucy is French Ojibwe and the Martins are Anishinaabe; Lucy struggles to fit in but she is a dreamer. It seems like everything she touches goes wrong.
The lighthouse is beautiful, but Lake Superior is a stormy lake with waves pounding the rocks. Lucy is terrified of water since her father was lost at sea. The lighthouse is close to a shipwreck; the ship went down with a priceless ruby necklace. Lucy’s father wanted the necklace, Lucy thought if she could find the treasure it would be like having her father back. Lucy isn’t the only one determined to find the necklace.
The owners of the lighthouse threaten to remove the Martin’s, if they do they will have no where to live. Lucy must find that necklace now.
This is a delightful tale. Lucy is the main character; she is a dreamer struggling to deal with the loss of her parents, guardian and life with a new family. The main focus of this book is the relationship between Lucy and the Martins. The secondary plot is the necklace. Author Anna Rose Johnson successful develops each character, allowing each one to have their own personality. I highly recommend this book for six grade up.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book. This was a unique historical fiction, and I know a few readers already who will absolutely love this.

The best historical fiction books focus on something rarely discussed in history classes. Lighthouse keeping in 1912 on the Great Lakes? Definitely something I have never encountered.

Readers get to learn about this unknown pocket of history through Lucy, an orphan who comes to live with the Martin family in their lighthouse on Harmony Island in Michigan. She has a fear of water due to her sailor father's death by drowning, but she learns to brave the lake in her quests to find a treasure, learn more about her new home, and save her newfound family. Like Lucy, the Martin family are French-Ojibwe, and the parents take care to teach their children about their culture (a dictionary at the back is very helpful for readers - this is a prime example of OwnVoices representation and Indigenous joy).

There are so many things that shine (pun intended) in this book. While there are a LOT of players in the story, each feels distinct and has their own distinctive journey in learning how to live with Lucy. The switch in narration when Lucy "becomes" one of the characters in her head (such as the Small Waif Girl and the Princess) is fresh and showcases a realistic response to stressful situations. All of the kids are written as kids (even the parentified ones). The overarching lessons of bravery and belonging will be ones that any child can relate to, even if they know nothing about this era of history.

The main reason why I gave this four stars (if I could, this would be a 4.5) is because the chapters are VERY long (at least on Kindle). The side exploration for the necklace, which I think would really entice middle grade readers, is resolved fairly quickly. I totally get that Johnson wanted to focus more on the journey of belonging, but kids often want more trials and peril in searching for treasure. I'll note as well that the map on Kindle was very broken up, but I'm sure the print copy is much better.

So glad the title of this book sucked me in!

Thank you, of course, to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. My students who love historical fiction will eat this one UP!

What a delightful story. Like Anna Rose Johnson's debut, this book has that classic, vintage feel. What's more, Lucy Landry is Anne Shirley reincarnated. She's dreamy and inattentive, but it's obvious that her behavior is a coping mechanism, and so, even though she makes us cringe, we FEEL for her. Without the stead,

This is one of those stories where the young protagonist is plopped into a completely new life. Think Sara Crewe, Mary Lennox, and, of course, Anne. Lucy Landry has lived primarily alone with an elderly caretaker. When she's adopted by a couple with six children who live on a tiny lighthouse island, she's utterly unprepared. I'm glad that the author didn't shy away from conflict. It was HARD for Lucy to fit in, and this constant tension made the story interesting.

I love the mystery of the necklace that's woven through the story. While this is a subplot and not the point of the book, it adds a layer of interest to liven up the main plot, which is Lucy's transformation. Plus, finding the lost necklace gives Lucy a goal and deepens her connection to her past.

This book is short and easy to read. It'll appeal to kids who want a quick win.

Also, Lucy deals with some debilitating fear. Since so many kids struggle with fears, this is another touchpoint that will appeal to anxious kids without triggering them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for a digital ARC of this novel.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This started off well but I felt Lucy was too whiny. Even though she was afraid of water, she still overcame her fear to help. I like the glossary with the Anishinaabemowin/ Ojibwe words.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Holiday House for providing me with a copy, all thoughts are my own!

4/5 stars

"I have found that there are several doors to the imagination, and it's important to choose the right one"

The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry is a story about a lighthouse, a girl and a treasure. But, besides, it's actually a story of growth, a story about overcoming fear and grief. I loved reading this book, it's so comfortable and heartwarming that I want to read it again and again to continue enjoying it.
What I liked most was that every kid was really written as they were kids, they were angry, sad, they day-dreamed, made mistakes. And they learned and grew up in each chapter without losing their truly nature (being children).

What a fun read The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry was! Our book opens with the protagonist, Lucy, learning she is being sent or live with the Martin family after the death of her guardian. Lucy has already lost her mother to illness and then her father to a shipwreck. Now she's off to live with a family she's never met, who have six children and live on a small island where they tend the lighthouse. Add in Lucy's imagination, the story of a lost necklace, and the need to keep the lighthouse station tidy under the eyes of a strict inspector and our story starts to unfold.

Lucy is a a rather charming character who also can be a bit frustrating. She very much lives in her imagination and isn't often responsible for her own actions, which can be annoying to the Martin children. The family dynamics are very real and the inclusion of their (and Lucy's) Ojibwe ancestry adds a lovely dynamic to the story. Though the lost necklace adds a bit of a fanciful element to the story, in the end everyone gets what they need and Lucy finds her space on the island. Overall, I enjoyed this charming read!

Cute story, fun plot, nice characters, interesting story, short/ quick read, nice writing, calming. Overall good book

4 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming

1912, Michigan
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. She’s a Princess one moment, an Actress the next, and a Small Waif immediately afterward. 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.

I was absolutely fascinated by the synopsis and the offered representation of a ojibwe heroine, (my best friend is ojibwe). As I started reading, what stood out to me immediately was the flatness of the dialogue and racially problematic descriptions of the servant (mamie) as the introduction to our heroine’s dilemma.

As a huge fan of Anne of Green Gables, I really wanted to like this story of a plucky orphan, but found the introduction to the story off putting. I think focusing on the orphan discussion without the introduction of mamie or her role until later (if needed at all?) will do more to pull a reader in faster and drive the story forward.

Such a sweet story. Lucy’s an adorable main character, I loved her narration. She’s got this fun and imaginative outlook to life while also processing grief and navigating her new family. It made for an emotional yet endearing story and I really enjoyed it.

This was a cute little read and I loved it.
Lucy is a fascinating character whom I fell in love with instantly. She pretends she's many characters that I found waiting to see which one she'd become at any given moment. She certainly kept me on my toes along the other Martin children.
I really didn't like Ansel that much bc I don't care much for know it alls.
I loved the idea of living in a lighthouse. I think that'd be the coolest thing!
Lake Superior is my favorite lake so I was excited about getting this book. It did not disappoint.
This was a great adventure! Books like this makes me feel happy.
I still love these kinds of books because they give me a break from reading historical books and suspense. I love a fun read every now and then and this book was wonderful!
There is some mystery involved which I liked too.
5 stars for some excellent writing and making me feel like I was a part of this story.
Lighthouses save lives. I admire the people who still man them.
The cover of this book and the Lighthouse itself made me want to read this book.
I highly recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a lovely story about the orphan daughter of a ship's captain who finds herself unexpectedly living in a working lighthouse with a large family of Acadian ancestry which agrees to takes her in. And Lucy Landry is not an easy child to integrate into anyone's family!

I will confess, I did at times find Lucy's behaviour a little obnoxious, albeit stemming from insecurity. But of course, in the end, everything falls into place. Including Lucy's behavioral issues - some of which can be explained by her unusual upbringing.

The family that takes her in are delightful characters, and the story has (perhaps deliberate) echoes of Lucy Montgomery's Anne.

I found a few elements of the story a bit implausible, including the search for the necklace and the unexpected rescue, but overall, this was an enjoyable and very wholesome read.

Happy to see an Indigenous author writing middle grade historical fiction! As an adult, I loved reading this! The emotional journey was amazing over the span of the book! I live near Lake Superior and will definitely be recommending this for the bookstore I work at!

This was lovely. The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were charming and delightful. I highly recommend this fun and quick read! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.