THE HIRED GIRL

Laura Amy Schlitz, author of THE HIRED GIRL, on her writing self being a hysterical, imaginative little goblin... Read more...

What a heroine, not just for the early 20th century, which Ms. Schlitz skillfully evokes through Janet’s impressions, but also for our own time. An unsophisticated girl who thirsts for education, an impulsive idealist who, when she errs, passionately seeks to put things right: Janet Lovelace is an utterly endearing young woman on whom not a second of youth, it seems, will be wasted. Brava to Laura Amy Schlitz, whose enchanting writing has brought such a spectacular character to young people’s literature. Read more...

rouble ensues, but a happy ending awaits, with friendship and the awesome glint of an independent life. The diary format allows Joan's romantic tendencies full rein, as well as narrative latitude for a few highly improbable scenarios and wildly silly passion. Tons of period details, especially about clothing, round out a highly satisfying and smart breast-clutcher from this Newbery-winning author.

THE HIRED GIRL (Candlewick, 2015) hit the ABA Bestseller list and made EIGHT ‘Best Of’ lists in total, including the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Shelf Awareness, and Hudson Booksellers, and San Francisco Chronicle included it in its holiday gift guide.

Written as a diary, the first-person narrative brings immediacy to Joan’s story and intimacy to her confessions and revelations. The distinctive household setting and the many secondary characters are well developed, while Joan comes alive on the page as a vulnerable, good-hearted, and sometimes painfully self-aware character struggling to find her place in the world. A memorable novel from a captivating storyteller.

‘The Hired Girl’ is a homage to classics that could have been young adult novels before the category existed... 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. Read more...

The Hired Girl is a well-researched and convincing journey into the mind of a young girl in the early 20th century…Smart, quick, and again well-researched, this novel gives a solid picture of life pre-World War I.

The book is framed as Joan’s diary, and her weaknesses, foibles, and naiveté come through as clearly—and as frequently—as her hopes, dreams, and aspirations...by the end readers feel as if they’ve witnessed the real, authentic growth of a memorable young woman.

The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz Book Trailer Read more...

Laura Amy Schlitz has been interviewed by School Library Journal in a huge preview of THE HIRED GIRL: http://www.slj.com/2015/06/interviews/newbery-winner-laura-amy-schlitz-on-women-writing-history-and-hired-girls/#_ Read more...

What a delightful change of pace from the usual YA books! There's no future dystopian society in this...instead it's a gentle look back at a courageous young girl in the Edwardian Era. I can't wait to pass this on to my 11 year old granddaughter! It's unfortunately unusual to come across YA books such as this. I plan to look into Laura Amy Schlitz's other books.

Finally - a YA book that doesn't include a dystopian society! I was drawn in by Joan's voice and devoured this book in two days...As a librarian, I will recommend it to historical fiction fans of all ages.

The Hired Girl brings forth a voice that is clear and true and unintentionally funny--Joan charmed me to no end, and Schlitz's lush, impassioned prose brings Joan's expanding world to vivid life. If you know (or are) a reader who loves historical fiction and brave, flawed, yet inspiring heroines (hellooo, Anne Shirley!), you MUST get this book!

UK: Walker

At ALA, THE HIRED GIRL by Laura Amy Schlitz (Candlewick, 2015) won three awards: The Scott O’Dell Award for Best Historical Fiction The Sydney Taylor Award (YA) The National Jewish Book Award (YA)

Joan is reminiscent of heroines like Anne Shirley, Jo March, Cassandra Mortmain, and her own favorite character, Jane Eyre...Her overactive imagination, passions, and impulsive disregard for propriety often get Joan into trouble, but these same qualities will endear her to readers everywhere.

Fans of Little Women, rejoice. Janet's impassioned diary, inspired by Schlitz's own grandmother's journals, explores themes of faith and feminism, love and literature, culture and class in early 20th-century America, all the while charming readers with a vivid cast of characters.

Laura Amy Schlitz, an award winning author of books for children and young adults talks about her latest book. Read more...

cover reveal and review: Fans of Laura Amy Schlitz are a patient bunch. We know that it takes time for her beautiful, unique and complex stories to come into being. Happily, the wait is always worth it. Such is the case for The Hired Girl... the language is lush, full of vivid sensory details and sensory resonance.... Read more...

Coming-of-age drama and deeper questions of faith, belonging, and womanhood are balanced with just the right blend of humor. A wonderful look into the life of strong girl who learns that she needs the love of others to truly grow up.

This book, and main character Joan, draws you in from the very start. You soon learn to love both her innocence and her sass and smile - or wince- at every situation that she encounters. Best of all, like any good children's book heroine, she ultimately overcomes all her adversities and finds her happy ending!