58 pages • 1 hour read
Stacey LeeThe Downstairs Girl
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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 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.
RecommendedReading Age
12-18yearsLexile Level
810LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Realistic Fiction
Romance
Identity: Race
Relationships: Family
Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Race / Racism
History: World
Asian Literature