The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz

1.     Bibliography

 Schlitz, Laura Amy. The Hired Girl. London: Walker, 2015.

 ISBN: 978-0763694500

 2.     Plot Summary

 In this novel, Joan (she later changes her name to Janet) runs away from her brothers and her verbally abusive father and flees to early 1900s Baltimore Maryland. While sitting on a bench in the overwhelming city, a kind young Jewish man finds her and invites her to his family’s home to stay. After some convincing of Mrs. Rosenback (the lady of the house), Joan proves herself a hard and capable worker, and she is able to stay and work as a hired girl in the wealthy Jewish family’s home.  

 3.     Critical Analysis

 Schlitz does a phenomenal job of recreating life, customs, and the line of thinking during the early 1900s. This historical novel, written as journal entries of the main heroine Joan, brings to life multiple examples of religious acceptance and diversity. The reader gets a single person point of view of exactly how religion and race were perceived during that time period. Also interesting to note, Joan was raised as a Catholic in her home. As she becomes part of the Rosenbach household, Joan has to learn all about Jewish customs, holidays, and about keeping Kosher. This is quite an adventure and challenge for her as she dramatically explains all through her journal. 

 Also, Schiltz does a marvelous job of recreating the thought process and putting the reader into the mind of a 14-year-old girl. Even though the story takes place a century from the current day, young readers will relate to Joan and her thoughts. Joan often daydreams of purchasing more ribbons, perfume, and dresses. She also dreams of falling in love and running away with the older Rosenbach son David. Even though Joan is a hard working hired girl, her love of reading and learning proves to possibly be the gateway to a better life. This novel certainly was gripping (although not adventure packed per say) and leaves the reader wanting more. Schlitz thoroughly researched Maryland during this time period, and it was quite interesting to see this young girl grow, mature, and learn to love and accept her Jewish employers as her own family.
4.     Review Excerpts

 From The New York Times: “The beauty of this novel is that it dares to go beyond the school-is-cruel and paranormal-dystopian-romance conventions and lets its adolescent heroine think on the page about what makes a human being whole: art, love, faith, education, family, friendship.”

 From GoodReads: “Inspired by her grandmother’s journal, Newbery Medalist Laura Amy Schlitz brings her sharp wit and keen eye to early twentieth-century America in a comedic tour de force destined to become a modern classic.”

 From The School Library Journal: “Coming-of-age drama and deeper questions of faith, belonging, and womanhood are balanced with just the right blend of humor. VERDICT A wonderful look into the life of strong girl who learns that she needs the love of others to truly grow up.”
5.     Connections
Also by Laura Amy Schlitz 

 A Drowned Maiden’s Hair
By Laura Amy Schlitz
ISBN: 978-0763694487

 Splendors and Glooms
By Laura Amy Schlitz
ISBN: 978-0763694494
Other Feminine Centered Historical Novels
The War That Saved My Life
By Kimberly Brubaker Bradly
ISBN: 978-0147510488

 Flygirl
By Sherri L. Smith
ISBN: 978-0142417256

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