Book Review:

 

 

Bibliography:

Lee, S. (2021). The downstairs girl. G.P Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers.

ISBN 1524740977

 

 

Plot Summary:

By day, seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady's maid for the cruel daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. But by night, Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column for the genteel Southern lady, "Dear Miss Sweetie." When her column becomes wildly popular, she uses the power of the pen to address some of society's ills, but she's not prepared for the backlash that follows when her column challenges fixed ideas about race and gender. While her opponents clamor to uncover the secret identity of Miss Sweetie, a mysterious letter sets Jo off on a search for her own past and the parents who abandoned her as a baby. But when her efforts put her in the crosshairs of Atlanta's most notorious criminal, Jo must decide whether she, a girl used to living in the shadows, is ready to step into the light. 

 

 

Critical Analysis:

This historical fiction book makes readers aware of the myriad of things that were going on in Atlanta during the 1890s. This story gives insight into the challenges of being Chinese in the south. Lee is an imaginative author that uses incredibly descriptive language to write an intricately spun story which includes mystery, humor, and surprises. She created characters who are interesting, lovable, flawed and some vile while weaving a unique tale about human survival. This story is full of important values, life lessons, and a profound look at America's past. Many issues are discussed in this book, empathy, understanding the horrible nature of segregation, feminism, intersectionality, and the racism that Jo faces as a Chinese American woman living in the South.

 

 

Review Excerpts:

A Reese's Book Club YA Pick

New York Times Bestseller

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Booklist Editors’ Choice

 

“This spectacular, voice-driven novel raises powerful questions about how we understand the past, as well as the ways our current moment is still shaped by that understanding.” - Booklist, starred review
 
“Unflinching in its portrayals of racism yet ultimately hopeful and heartfelt, this narrative places voices frequently left out of historical fiction center stage.” - School Library Journal, starred review
 

 

Connections:

-Read these articles with the class to give students historical context for the racist attitudes depicted in this book:

The Root: How Racism Tainted Women's Suffrage : NPR

Celebrate Women’s Suffrage, but Don't Whitewash the Movement's Racism | News & Commentary | American Civil Liberties Union (aclu.org)

-If students want to read other books with Asian American protagonists and authors, here are a few recommendations:

Inside Out and Back Again By: Thanhha Lai ISBN: 0061962791

The Prince and the Dressmaker By: Jen Wang ISBN: 9781626723634

Emergency Contact By: Mary H. Choi ISBN: 1534408967

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