The Downstairs Girl

Published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Aug 13, 2019 | Young Adult Historical Fiction
ISBN 9781524740955

A Reese’s Book Club YA Pick and New York Times Bestseller

From the critically acclaimed author of Luck of the Titanic, Under a Painted Sky, and Outrun the Moon comes a powerful novel about identity, betrayal, and the meaning of family.

By day, seventeen-year-old Jo Kuan works as a lady’s maid for the cruel daughter of one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta. But by night, Jo moonlights as the pseudonymous author of a newspaper advice column for the genteel Southern lady, “Dear Miss Sweetie.” When her column becomes wildly popular, she uses the power of the pen to address some of society’s ills, but she’s not prepared for the backlash that follows when her column challenges fixed ideas about race and gender. While her opponents clamor to uncover the secret identity of Miss Sweetie, a mysterious letter sets Jo off on a search for her own past and the parents who abandoned her as a baby. But when her efforts put her in the crosshairs of Atlanta’s most notorious criminal, Jo must decide whether she, a girl used to living in the shadows, is ready to step into the light. With prose that is witty, insightful, and at times heartbreaking, Stacey Lee masterfully crafts an extraordinary social drama set in the New South.

“The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee is clever, poignant and funny. It’s a bold portrait about a young Chinese-American woman named Jo who is faced with adversity and finds a creative way to use her voice for greater good.”

“Clever, funny, and poignant, The Downstairs Girl is Stacey Lee at her best. I adored the cast of sassy, brave characters, as well as Lee’s subtle and graceful look at racism in the Reconstruction-era South. Every school and library should have this book on their shelves.”

“A triumph of storytelling. The Downstairs Girl is a bold portrait of this country’s past, brilliantly painted with wit, heartbreak, and unflinching honesty. Everyone needs to read this book.”

“In this jewel of a story, Stacey Lee brings to life a distant time populated by people who are at once familiar and delightfully new. By shining a light on the lives of those whom history usually ignores, Lee gives us a marvelous gift: An entirely new and riveting look at our past.”

“The Downstairs Girl is a thoughtful, imaginative and surprising look at a period of American history that feels both distant and all too close. Jo is a sharp and compelling narrator, and I could’ve stayed forever in her downstairs hideout, watching the world through her eyes. Immersive, important, and thoroughly entertaining, The Downstairs Girl sparkles with all of Stacey Lee’s signature humor, charm, warmth, and wisdom.”

“This deftly plotted novel shimmers with honesty, wisdom, compassion, and gorgeous writing, but it is Jo herself who shines the brightest in this sparkling tale—her keen wit, quiet courage, and growing determination. Prepare to fall headlong in love with The Downstairs Girl. I certainly did!”

Kirkus Reviews

“In her latest work, Lee continues to demonstrate that Chinese people were present—and had a voice—in American history. She deftly weaves historical details with Jo’s personal story of finding a voice and a place for herself in order to create a single, luminous work. An optimistic, sophisticated portrayal of one facet of Chinese-American—and simply American—history.”

Publisher's Weekly

“Featuring historical signposts (streetcar segregation, suffragists on safety bicycles) and memorable, well-developed characters, this captivating novel explores intersectionality, conveys the effects of restrictions placed on women and people of color, and celebrates the strengths and talents of marginalized people struggling to break society’s barriers in any age.”

School Library Journal

“Unflinching in its portrayals of racism yet ultimately hopeful and heartfelt, this narrative places voices frequently left out of historical fiction center stage. Recommended for any collection.”

Booklist

“Lee… has concocted another thrilling historical novel, blending stellar plotting and a dynamic cast of characters with well-researched details and sharp commentary on America’s history of racism and prejudice… But best of all is Jo’s first-person narrative, which crackles with as much witty wordplay and keen observations as her column.”

The Bulletin Of The Center For Children's Books

“A compelling domestic drama with a winning heroine.”

Awards, Honors & Praise

A Reese’s Book Club YA Pick
A New York Times Bestseller
An Indie Bestseller
A Washington Post Best Children’s Book of the Year
One of NPR’s Favorite Books of the Year
A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Editors’ Choice
A BookPage Best Book of the Year
A New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year
A Crystal Kite Award Winner
Parade’s Best YA Books of the Year

A Discussion Guide to the Works of Stacey Lee

Discussion questions for all of Stacey Lee’s historical fiction from Penguin Random House.

The Downstairs Girl