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58 pages 1 hour read

The Downstairs Girl

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019

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Book Brief

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Stacey Lee

The Downstairs Girl

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

390

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Atlanta, Georgia • 1890s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

810L

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Super Short Summary

In 1890s Atlanta, Jo Kuan, a 17-year-old Chinese American girl, secretly writes a radical advice column while working as a lady’s maid. Her writing challenges societal norms, creating substantial impact. Simultaneously, Jo strives to save her adoptive father from a dangerous criminal and uncover her true parentage, ultimately finding unexpected love and support. The book addresses incidents of racism and references to sexual harassment.

Emotional

Inspirational

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.2

43,417 ratings

75%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee is praised for its compelling narrative and rich historical context. Reviewers appreciate the strong, likable protagonist and the exploration of race and gender issues. Some critique the pacing and predictability of certain plot points. Overall, it's seen as an engaging and thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Downstairs Girl?

The ideal reader for Stacey Lee's The Downstairs Girl is a young adult who enjoys historical fiction with strong female protagonists and themes of social justice. Fans of titles like To Kill a Mockingbird and The Help will appreciate Lee's exploration of race and identity in the post-Reconstruction South.

4.2

43,417 ratings

75%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

390

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Atlanta, Georgia • 1890s

Publication Year

2019

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

810L

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