Who is Willa Jo from Getting near to Baby and what is their importance?

Willa Jo is the thirteen-year-old protagonist of Getting Near to Baby. Willa Jo and Jo Ann, her seven-year-old sister who the family calls Little Sister, are staying with Aunt Patty while her mother is healing from the loss of her two-year-old who the family called Baby. Willa Jo is forced to be all things to all people. She has to be strong and brave for her fragile and grieving mother who is obsessed with painting pictures of her lost Baby. Willa Jo becomes Little Sister's "mother." Her number one priority is to shield Little Sister from any further hurt.