The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry

A sweet middle-grade historical fiction recounting some of the Luminous Life of Lucy Landry, an Ojibwe orphan.

The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry, Anna Rose Johnson, Holiday House, 2024. 192 pages.

• Reading Level: Middle Grades
• Recommended For: Ages 8+

When her guardian dies, Lucy Landry isn’t sure what to expect. Her active imagination is quick to fill in a number of scenarios, but even she is surprised upon learning she is being sent to live with the Martins, a family of Lighthouse keepers. Lucy is also excited since they live near the place a shipwreck occurred . . . A wreck which, according to her father, lost a mysterious bracelet. Lucy struggles adjusting to life in the lighthouse, but she is determined to enlist help from some of the Martin family. She is going to find the bracelet.

The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry is a sweet story. Johnson has captured a little known area of early 20th century Midwest history and life. Lucy and the Martin family have a shared French Canadian and Ojibwe heritage. Lucy envies the siblings for being taught words in the Ojibwe language. She delights in learning stories from their heritage. The life of a lighthouse keeper is fascinating, and the large family themselves are sweetly captured.

Historical Fiction with an Old-Fashioned Feel

Lucy as a main character reminded me very much of Anne Shirley, but more inclined to mercurial dramatics and mishaps. Her attempts to help are painful though Johnson weaves grace and forgiveness into the family, so we do see Lucy grow. At times the pacing of the story feels breathless, and the villain feels a bit two-dimensional. I wish some more time was given to developing characters and the story, including life at the lighthouse, before Lucy’s bracelet adventures. Still, Anna Rose Johnson shines in her dedication to writing historical fiction with moral characters and strong, hope-filled themes.

Considerations: None

Bottom Line. A sweet story, and fun historical adventure for a young middle grade reader.

Remember, unless a book is starred, a review is not necessarily a recommendation. Read more about our ratings here.

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Review: *The Star that Always Stays by Anna Rose Johnson (We loved Anna Rose Johnson’s debut novel, another middle-grade historical fiction.)
• Resource: Native American Traditional Tales: #ownvoices (a booklist)
• Book Review: Eagle Drums by Nasugraq Raney Hopson (A recent Newbery Honor about the mythical origin of the Iñupiat people)

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