Lucy

Lucy Emery is the narrator and protagonist of the novel. At 12 years old, Lucy is the daughter of Mom and Dad, with Dad being a world-famous photographer. Lucy aspires to be a photographer like Dad, but feels as if she is always in his shadow. Nevertheless, Lucy is a gentle, sweet girl who makes friends quickly with Nate, Grandma Lilah, and their family.

Lucy initially decides to enter the photo contest to prove her worth to Dad, but she ends up committed to the contest to use the prize money to help find a way to get Grandma Lilah to see the loons by renting a boat. Lucy’s great moral challenge in the novel comes in a photo she takes of Grandma Lilah in the middle of a period of dementia. Nate dislikes the photo but Lucy knows is a wining picture.

With Dad’s advice and...