---
product_id: 17826003
title: "The Hired Girl Hardcover – September 8, 2015"
brand: "laura amy schlitz"
price: "A$52"
currency: AUD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 11
url: https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/17826003-the-hired-girl-hardcover-september-8-2015
store_origin: AU
region: Australia
---

# The Hired Girl Hardcover – September 8, 2015

**Brand:** laura amy schlitz
**Price:** A$52
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Hired Girl Hardcover – September 8, 2015 by laura amy schlitz
- **How much does it cost?** A$52 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.au](https://www.desertcart.com.au/products/17826003-the-hired-girl-hardcover-september-8-2015)

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- laura amy schlitz enthusiasts

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- Trusted laura amy schlitz brand quality
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## Description

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## Images

![The Hired Girl Hardcover – September 8, 2015 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517+ry4wG-L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    A new direction and masterpiece from Laura Amy Schlitz
  

*by T***N on Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2015*

Laura Amy Schlitz’ new book, The Hired Girl, once again is a different story and voice than her previous work.  She seems able to reinvent herself, with each new book adopting categorically different elements.  Readers expecting the magic or fantastical elements present in some earlier works will not find them here.  What they will find instead is a gratifying mix of romantic fantasies, earnest questions about faith and religious truth, and the development of a young, determined personality to create her future, assisted by help and love from unexpected sources.Schlitz creates a wholly human character in Joan Skrags, a 14 year old girl in 1911 thirsting for the learning, culture and knowledge to which she had only brief exposure through her mother and an insightful teacher, but which is cut short by her harsh and intimidating father after her mother’s untimely death.  As a “big, ugly ox of a girl”, she is condemned to a life of drudgery on a hard scrabble farm, unappreciated by her father and 3 brothers.  It is a telling sign about Joan that it is the burning of her 3 romantic novels, Jane Eyre, Ivanhoe and Dombey and Son that give Joan the resolve to flee her family and seek a new life.Joan ends up in Baltimore at night, lost with no place to stay after fleeing a man who tried to take liberties with her.  By lucky chance she is taken in by the Rosenbachs, a prosperous Jewish family, and the real story of Joan’s education and personal growth begins.This is a delightful story, narrated by Joan through her diary in which she can put down her most intimate thoughts, confusions, and fantasies.  To gain work as a hired girl in the Rosenbach household, Joan pretends to be 18, forcing her to behave as she imagines an 18 year old would.  Her physical development makes this somewhat believable but she still possesses a more childish mind and personality, albeit a very quick one capable of learning and insight.  Joan considers herself an earnest Catholic, the faith of her mother to whose memory Joan is very loyal.  While she comes to respect, and even love, the Rosenbachs she is also trying fervently to deepen her Catholic faith with the help of a local priest.  The conflict and resolution this engenders is an important lesson for Joan, as for us all.Joan also creates a number of conflicts of her own within the Rosenbach family through her well-intentioned naïve efforts to help them.  Despite the near term humiliations and embarrassments she experiences as a result, the ultimate results are happy ones and Joan learns from each event.It is not easy to show the growth of a character like Joan, but Schlitz’ own experience as a librarian/teacher has shown her the truth of such things and she develops Joan in a very believable manner.  Furthermore, all the other characters are also well developed and believable.  I felt I knew and understood them all by the end of the book.  The lessons Joan learns are those that all young persons should learn, and even many adults.This book is another masterpiece from Schlitz.  I can’t wait to see in what new direction she’ll head next!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    It's important in its own way
  

*by M***D on Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2015*

I completely understand. Who would want to read a diary written by a 14-year-old girl living on a farm in 1911? Take my word when I say, you do.I understand the slow nature of life in 1911 is an obvious no thank you for most readers, but Laura Amy Schlitz wasn't looking for ecstatic adventures. She was looking for the real, normal moments of life back in 1911.Our main character is Joan Skraggs, a naive but empowered young girl looking to give a name for herself as a teacher. After she is given a journal by her favorite teacher, she vows to fill it to the brim with words and knowledge. Of course there are hiccups along the way, some that land her in a Jewish household as an almost Catholic hired girl.Throughout the summer of 1911, she covers her pages in eloquent writing and comical but stressful events that will leave you laughing and tearing your hair out. It's the main reason why this is an important read. The diary pages are smothered in the life of a girl dealing with sexism and religious tension, which are all problems that we still deal with today. This novel is a magic mirror, and our world is staring right into it. But Joan's growth throughout pushes these boundaries down. This is especially true as her relationship with the Rosenbachs takes two steps forward and a step and a half back.Take a moment or two to really dive into this novel. You'll be laughing and wondering why the past seems to repeat itself.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Wonderful book
  

*by M***E on Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2022*

Loved this book

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*Product available on Desertcart Australia*
*Store origin: AU*
*Last updated: 2026-02-16*