The Downstairs Girl

 by Stacey Lee

I loved this book.  The language and writing were beautiful and the story was interesting and insightful.  It is filled with surprising similes.  Written in first person, the story takes place in 1890 in Atlanta where 17-year-old Chinese girl Jo Kuan lives with Old Gin, an older man who took her in when she was a baby.  They secretly live in the basement of the home and print shop of one of the local newspapers. 

At the beginning of the story Jo works in a hat shop decorating women’s hats but is fired because she makes the customers “uncomfortable.”  She returns to work for the wealthy Paynes as a lady’s maid to their haughty daughter, Caroline, who is about the same age as Jo.  The story leads us through mysteries (to learn who Jo’s parents are), romance, surprising challenges, and adventure, all with the thread of discrimination running through it—against blacks, Chinese, and women—and their attempts to overcome it. 

It was just so well and engagingly written.  One thing I will say is that Jo seems older and more mature than any 17-year-old I’ve ever known.  And though published as a teen/young adult book, I think some of the content would be more appropriate for a slightly older audience.

Quotes

Robby speaking. ‘”Sometimes things fall apart so better things can come together,’ he says gently....  “My point is, a blessing loves a good disguise.’”    p. 281,  ¶2, 4

“What is the job of a parent but to teach a child that she has worth so that one day she can transform herself into whatever she wants.”    p. 365 top

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