Dickens & Rumi
Cover of THE HIRED GIRL

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THE HIRED GIRL

Laura Amy Schlitz

To escape her hardscrabble life, a farmgirl pursues work as a domestic for a Jewish family in 1910s Baltimore. (Ages 12 and up)

Ages 12+Source checked

Why this age? The diary format and coming-of-age themes suit mature middle-grade readers, but class hardship, antisemitism, religious conflict, coercive behavior, and emotionally intense family situations merit discussion. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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At a glance

Recommended age12+

Strongest cautions

  • Religious themes4/5
  • Frightening scenes2/5
  • Romance2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Good role models4/5
  • Kindness & empathy4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character1/5
Why this rating?

Mention of the death of the protagonist's mother.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild period-appropriate language and name-calling.

Religious themes4/5
Why this rating?

Catholic faith, prayer, religious practice, and differences between Catholic and Jewish traditions are prominent throughout the diary.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Contains innocent crushes and explorations of young love.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist's feelings of fear while running away and navigating a new city.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Minimal or incidental references to alcohol.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Contains depictions of domestic and verbal abuse by the protagonist's father.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Joan shows courage by leaving an abusive situation, pursuing learning, confronting prejudice, and trying to build an independent life.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages a love of books and intellectual curiosity.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Jewish and Catholic characters, immigrants, servants, and wealthy families are portrayed through differing perspectives, though within a historical setting.

Educational value3/5
Why this rating?

The novel offers substantial insight into domestic service, class, immigration, religion, gender expectations, and early-20th-century American life.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Care, hospitality, friendship, and cross-cultural understanding are important, while cruelty and prejudice are challenged rather than endorsed.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

It emphasizes education, dignity, empathy across religious and class differences, perseverance, self-respect, and questioning inherited prejudice.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist is resilient and seeks self-betterment, though she makes realistic mistakes.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. What beliefs or religious ideas appear in the story? How do they influence the characters?
  3. Which choice in THE HIRED GIRL would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in THE HIRED GIRL, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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