The Hired Girl

Fourteen-year-old Joan Skraggs flees her harsh life on a Pennsylvania farm in 1911, taking refuge in Baltimore where she finds work as a hired girl for a wealthy Jewish family. Through entries in her diary, Joan documents her experiences adjusting to city life, her new employers, and her determination to get an education. The narrative follows Joan's navigation of class differences, religious traditions, and social expectations as she moves between the worlds of servants and her employers. Her position in the household brings her into contact with art, literature, and customs far different from her rural Catholic upbringing. Joan's personal growth occurs against the backdrop of a rapidly changing America, where questions of women's rights, religious identity, and social mobility shape daily life. The exploration of faith, family obligations, and a young woman's quest for independence forms the heart of this historical coming-of-age story. The novel examines timeless themes of self-discovery and the price of following one's dreams, while depicting the complex relationships between different social classes and religious groups in early twentieth-century America.

Readers connect with Joan's determined spirit and personal growth throughout her journey, with many noting the authentic portrayal of a 14-year-old's voice through diary entries. The historical details of 1911 Baltimore and depiction of domestic service life draw particular praise. Likes: - Strong character development - Period-accurate details about religion, class, and gender roles - Engaging first-person narrative style - Educational value for young readers Dislikes: - Some find Joan naive to the point of frustration - Several readers note problematic passages regarding Jewish characters and antisemitic attitudes - A few reviewers feel the romantic elements are inappropriate given Joan's age Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (180+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 "Joan's voice feels completely authentic," writes one Goodreads reviewer. "Her mistakes and growth make her relatable." Another notes: "The historical research shines through without feeling forced."

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✦ Laura Amy Schlitz worked as a school librarian for over 40 years while writing her books, and like her protagonist Janet, she grew up loving books and storytelling ✦ The novel was inspired by the diary of Schlitz's grandmother, who worked as a hired girl in Baltimore during the early 1900s ✦ The book explores the cultural dynamics between Catholics and Jews in 1911 Baltimore, reflecting the religious tensions and growing diversity of urban America at that time ✦ "Hired girls" were typically young women from rural areas who worked as domestic servants for middle-class urban families, earning about $3 per week plus room and board ✦ The novel won the 2016 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction and was praised for its authentic portrayal of both Jewish traditions and early 20th-century American life