The Downstairs Girl

 

Bibliography

Lee, S. (2019). The Downstairs Girl. G.P. Putnam's Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.

ISBN: 9781524740955

Plot Summary

During the day, seven-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady’s maid for the cruel daughter of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. By night, she becomes known as Miss Sweetie. She comes up with the pseudonymous name so she can write an advice column for the genteel Southern Lady. The more she becomes popular, she uses her new power to address some of society’s ills, but when she tries to write about the fixed ideas about race and gender, she gets backlash. People start to try to identify who this Miss Sweetie is, Jo gets a letter about her missing parents. This letter brings new challenges and new people, and it will all depend on the choices she makes.

Critical Analysis

Review Excerpts

“The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee is clever, poignant and funny. It’s a bold portrait about a young Chinese-American woman named Jo who is faced with adversity and finds a creative way to use her voice for greater good.” —Reese Witherspoon

“Vividly rendered, intriguingly plotted . . . Jo’s example of resistance and hope is sure to resonate with today’s readers.” —The Washington Post

Awards and Recognitions

A Reese's Book Club YA Pick

A New York Times Bestseller

An Indie Bestseller

A People Magazine Best Book of the Year

A Washington Post Best Children’s Book of the Year

One of NPR's Favorite Books of the Year

A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

A Booklist Editors’ Choice

A BookPage Best Book of the Year

A New York Public Library Best Book for Teens

A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year

A Crystal Kite Award Winner

Connections

• Have students look up women's rights of this time period. Then have them compare to Asian American rights during this time. This can be done through writing or having discussions in class. 

• Have students write their own newspaper column that challenges something that is going on currently in the U.S. or in their lives.