BIBLIOGRAPHY
Schlitz, Laura Amy. 2015. THE
HIRED GIRL. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick. ISBN 0763678180
PLOT SUMMARY
Joan Skrag is a young girl
living on her family’s hardscrabble farm in 1911. She hates the drudgery of her
life on the farm and yearns for something more. Joan is interested in culture,
literature and knowledge. Her only inspiration was her mother who tragically
died when Joan was young. Joan’s father and brother often ignore and underappreciate
her. Her only solace is found in her books. Tired of her disinterest in the
family farm, Joan’s father burns her beloved books causing Joan to run away
from home to Baltimore. After being
attacked by a man, Joan is taken in by the Rosenbachs, a well to do Jewish
family in Baltimore. To gain the employment as the family’s hired girl, Joan
must pretend to be 18. Her time with the Rosenbachs is characterized by
religion life lessons. Joan tries to keep her Catholic faith alive while living
with a Jewish family even encountering anti-Semitism. Joan comes to love the
Rosenbachs and appreciates their kindness in including her in the family. Joan
hilariously makes mistakes but ultimately learns a lot about life and herself.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Hired Girl is a
well-crafted story about a young girl who desires more from life than working
on a hardscrabble farm. Joan’s story is told through diary entries that are
expressive and character defining. Joan’s world is one in which young girls
have a very exact description of what their life contains. During the course of
the story you see Joan gain life experiences that help her understand her
greater place in the world. Young readers will enjoy seeing Joan make mistakes
and will be able to connect with her earnest and independent personality. Young
readers will also get a glimpse into prejudice and anti-Semitic sentiment.
Sexism and prejudice are common themes throughout the story that students will
latch onto as they still exist today.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST: “A
memorable novel from a captivating storyteller. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The
award-winning, best-selling Schlitz seems to have the Midas touch. Expect her
latest to have a golden shine as well.”
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “Joan is reminiscent of heroines like
Anne Shirley, Jo March, Cassandra Mortmain, and her own favorite character,
Jane Eyre (Joan even gives herself a fittingly literary alias, Janet Lovelace).
Her overactive imagination, passions, and impulsive disregard for propriety
often get Joan into trouble, but these same qualities will endear her to
readers everywhere.”
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.”
CONNECTIONS
* Winner of the 2016 Scott
O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
*A 2016 Association of
Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Award Winner
*Winner of the 2016
National Jewish Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature
*Students may be interested
in researching other examples of anti-Semitism in United States and World
History.
*Look for these other works
by Laura Amy Schlitz
Schlitz, Laura Amy. THE
NIGHT FAIRY. ISBN 0763652951
Schlitz, Laura Amy. SPLENDORS
AND GLOOMS. ISBN 0763669263
Schlitz, Laura Amy. FIRE
SPELLS. ISBN 1408826216
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