The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz

 

1. Bibliography

Schlitz, Laura Amy. The Hired Girl. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2017.

2. Plot Summary 

Laura Amy Schlitz wrote a heart-warming and engaging historical fiction story about a young, poor farm girl named Joan in the early 20th century as she tries to make her way in the world with little options. When she is forced by her father to quit school and work only at the farm, Joan decides to take matters into her own hands and go after the life she has always dreamed of. 

3. Critical Analysis

The narrator of this book is a young farm girl named Jane who is both wise for her age and incredibly innocent because of her love of books and learning and her poor, humble upbringing. Written in the form of her diary entries, readers will laugh along as Jane comes to conclusions about life such as, “...because I think it’s bad when girls think too highly of men. It’s more suitable when the men worship the ladies.” Jane also explores questions of faith as she learns more about her own budding Catholic faith as well as about the Jewish faith from the family she works for. Her innocence fades and she begins to experience more of the world through exposure to anti-semitism, love, and social class in this historical fiction text set in early 20th century America. Readers will get a sense of what 20th century America had to offer for women and the poor. The story is both heartwarming and inspiring as Jane slowly learns, feels loved, and creates for herself a life with opportunity beyond the limits of her difficult circumstances. Young adult and adult readers alike will enjoy this novel. 

4. Award(s) and Review Excerpt(s)

• 2016 Scott O’Dell Award
  
• From School Library Journal: “A wonderful look into the life of a strong girl who learns that she needs the love of others to truly grow up.”
  
• From The Kirkus Review: “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.”

5. Connections

Gather these other books by Laura Amy Schlitz:

• Splendors and Glooms. ISBN 978-0763653804
  
• The Night Fairy. ISBN 978-0763652951
  
• Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village. ISBN 9780763650940
  

Gather these other Scott O’Dell Award Winners: 

• Lai, Thanhhà. Butterfly Yellow. ISBN 978-0062229212
  
• Cline, Ransome. Finding Langston. ISBN 978-0823439607
  
• Wolk, Lauren. Beyond the Bright Sea. ISBN 978-1101994856
  
• Holm, Jenifer L. Full of Beans. ISBN 978-0553510362
  
• Larson, Kirby. Dash (Dogs of World War II). ISBN 978-0545416351
  

Have students use one of the scenes from The Hired Girl to create a drama to be performed.

Use as an introduction to discussing social class in history and now in the U.S.