by Laura Amy Schlitz
Summary from Goodreads:
Fourteen-year-old Joan Skraggs, just like the heroines in her beloved novels, yearns for real life and true love. But what hope is there for adventure, beauty, or art on a hardscrabble farm in Pennsylvania where the work never ends? Over the summer of 1911, Joan pours her heart out into her diary as she seeks a new, better life for herself—because maybe, just maybe, a hired girl cleaning and cooking for six dollars a week can become what a farm girl could only dream of—a woman with a future.
I came across this book as I was researching different young adult books to read to recommend to my middle school students when the new school year begins. As I was doing my research, I ran across this book as part of a Twitter chat. Two librarian's (both named Jennifer) had a list of books they were reading through the school year and this was one of them. My first thought, "Oh my gosh! This is perfect for me. I'm a school librarian and this gives me even more of a reason to read more young adult books." So, I took a look at the book that they were reading next and headed to the local library to check it out.
I started reading The Hired Girl immediately. It did take me a little time to get into the book. For me, it started off slow and I had trouble getting into it. The book is written in diary format from Joan's perspective in the early 20th century. Joan uses her diary to share her thoughts and emotions connected to her life as a daughter, a learner, a dreamer, eventually a runaway, and as a hired girl.
After I got passed the first few chapters of the book, I could not put it down. Schlitz portrays Joan in a young, but strong way. She is learning how to take hold of her life and get the most out of it. All she wants is an education, she wants to learn. In order to do that she needs to get away from her family. Schlitz created a strong, independent character with Joan. Reading about her struggles, her feelings and emotions, pulls you into the book more and more. You're on Joan's side through the whole story, you eventually connect with her and her feelings on some level.
This was a great read. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to read about a strong female character that goes through ups and downs to succeed and make something of her life. This book is also a great read for the historical aspects presented from the 20th Century.
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