Jo Kuan is a Chinese girl in a city divided by race. Not being either black or white, she and her adopted father must find ways to walk the line between the two. Living illegally in a disused underground railroad beneath a newspaper office, Jo begins to submit letters from Ms. Sweetie- the paper's new agony aunt. In becoming Ms. Sweetie, Jo finds her feet and her voice, dispensing opinions and advice that lead her to her own journey of independence and discovery.

This book is a well written period piece that sheds light on an aspect of history that is often overlooked. Jo's character was beautifully drawn and incredibly sympathetic - you cannot help but root for her and her friends. I enjoyed that the story had a realistic ending- it is obvious that there will be challenges ahead for Jo, and that her life after the story may be more difficult than before- but it is a tale that leaves the reader with hope. I can't wait to see what story Stacey Lee writes next!

This book was delightful! It takes place in 1890s Atlanta, in a period where a lot was going on. The Reconstruction had ended, Jim Crow laws were beginning to take place, it was in the middle of the Chinese exclusion act, and suffragettes were fighting to get the vote. Jo, a Chinese American girl, is in the middle of all this even though the story isn’t exclusively about all of those topics. I think that the author did a really great job of intertwining all of these difficult topics and Jo’s struggle with where she belongs. What I really liked about this book is that it didn’t just showcase the struggle between white people and people of color, but also the difference in treatment while being discriminatory towards non black “outsiders” vs to black people. The struggle for women to get the right to vote, but the discrimination within the struggle as well. The writing was so light and felt easy to get through, but that didn’t get in the way of feeling how serious these topics were. 

Jo was a wonderful character, I loved how feisty and real she felt. I loved her friendship with Noemi, but the true heart of the story was her relationship with her adoptive father Old Gin. It was so sweet! 

I look forward to reading more by this author.

I've loved every Stacey Lee book I've read, and this was no exception.  Again, Lee introduces readers to a little known aspect of history:  the Chinese brought in to take the place of freed slaves during reconstruction years in the south.  But what sets Lee's writing apart is the history never overwhelms her strong characters and interesting plots.  I also like that she presents harsh realities but makes room for happy endings.  Between family mysteries and a budding romance, this is highly recommended for middle school readers.
Review based on an ARC received through NetGalley.

Jo Kuan has never known her parents, instead raised by the widowed Chinese immigrant known as Old Gin. Jo is neither Chinese nor colored, and the world reminds her that she does not--and will not--fit in.  She and Old Gin cannot even rent a room in the city, and must keep their residence under the Bells printing press a secret--especially from the Bells. After being fired from her job as a hatshop assistant for her racial identity, forcing her to seek work as a lady's maid to the cruel daughter of one of the wealthiest men in town, Jo learns that she and Old Gin might soon lose their home if the Bells newspaper does not gain subscribers. Jo has a plan, though: she will write for the newspaper as an Agony Aunt under the name of Miss Sweetie.  As Miss Sweetie, Jo pours out her opinions on anything and everything--bicycles, the right for women to vote, segregation on street cars--and finds a way for her voice to finally be heard.  But will it be enough to save her home? And what is Old Gin hiding from her?

Set in 1890 Atlanta, Georgia, "The Downstairs Girl" is a fantastic historical fiction focusing on the Chinese-American experience in that time period--a little discussed topic in history and fiction--as well as unabashedly feminist while simultaneously highlighting issues from early feminism and the suffragist movement (some that continue on to this day).  Jo is a fantastic, fearless, and witty character, and she truly breathes life into this novel.  "The Downstairs Girl" is unputdownable, and readers will hang on to every word, trying to soak up as much of "Miss Sweetie" as possible.

Jo is Chinese American living in Atlanta in the 1890s. Because of the various segregation laws and a deep tradition of separation of races, she is limited in her job choices and her housing. Once she begins secretly writing an advice column for women for the local newspaper, she becomes embroiled in many of the events of the day. This is a look at the South after Reconstruction, but before the Jim Crow laws have been codified and before women have the vote. 

There are a great deal of issues at play here, but the real story is about Jo and the elderly man who has raised her. Jo is a great character, although some incidents stretch credibility. There are a few moments that would be unlikely (or at the very least unusual), but this is still an entertaining and engrossing story clearly aimed at teens and young adults. A good read.

I'm just so pleased that this book exists. I don't read much historical fiction, but I couldn't help but pick up another by Stacey Lee.

It's easy for people to underestimate Chinese-American Jo Kuan. In fact, in Gilded Age Atlanta, most people don't know what to make of her or her caretaker, Old Gin, except that they certainly aren't first-class citizens. But Jo is intelligent, thoughtful, and driven, and she finds her voice as anonymous advice columnist Miss Sweetie. As her words find a willing audience, Jo uncovers truths about the people around her, and the end result will leave nobody unchanged. Giving voice to overlooked members of our nation's history, this engaging, uplifting story is a brilliant example of intersectionality in YA.

This one had a much slower start than Under a Painted Sky, but the finale was well worth the wait. Jo was a clever and captivating narrator, and I actually miss her already. It was such a pleasure to watch Lee's finely crafted characters go about their lives that the plot actually sort of snuck up on me. I found myself drifting to the edge of my seat without even realizing it, until I just couldn't wait to see what happened in the end. I highly recommend this for fans of historical fiction, and character-driven stories.

The Downstairs Girl is about a lot of non-obvious perspectives: being a Chinese girl in Atlanta in the late 19th century, Jo Kuan has even fewer options than others. Her tenacity in the face of the multitudes of oppression that she and her adoptive father face is inspiring, and her wit and intelligence make her a fabulous narrator. I loved the device of her developing advice column, and relished the bittersweet satisfaction of seeing upper class white people take advice from a person they look down on. This novel feels lived in; the details of 1890's Atlanta are rich and well-realized, and every character from Jo on down to the horse she rides are three dimensional and fascinating.

I really enjoyed reading The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee!  It was exciting to read a story with a strong female character taking charge of her life.   It is a must for our library this year!

Fantastic read for young adults with a strong female lead character. A keen look at the suffragist movment and racism during that time period. This is the first book by Stacey Lee that I have read and I look forward to reading many more. A good way for young adults to learn about the time period and segregation during that time period. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinion was not affected by the free copy.

I am so happy that this book exists. I love historical fiction, and this is a part of history that I don't think gets enough attention or focus-- in literature or in classes. It felt so perfectly true to the times and the attitudes, not shying away from the more ugly side of this era. Also, something about the writing style reminded me of books I read when I was younger. Jo was a lovely main character to follow and all the supporting characters were interesting and some had memorable personalities. Even if they weren't pleasant or morally upstanding characters, they were distinct and memorable, and I liked how layered they were and complex. It didn't feel like there were any over-the-top villainous characters. They were just people who were flawed or naïve or behaving the way they believed they needed to in order to survive.

I usually complain about the romance, but in this it was done well. It wasn't insta-love, and any uncertainty or jealousy was perfectly understandable given the society of the time. It also wasn't a big focus of the story. As it should be, the focus was on Jo finding her voice and speaking up for non-whites and women.

The book focuses on family a lot, both biological and found family. It also has sections dedicated to horses, and as a Kentucky girl I loved that. It has an uplifting and hopeful ending, and I honestly hope that young people read this. Heck, I think people of any age should read it!

Being Chinese in 1890 Atlanta isn't easy and for seventeen-year-old, Jo Kuan things could certainly be better. Jo has recently found herself as the maid of her former employers - one of the most prominent families in Atlanta. Her old nemesis is back and she hasn't gotten any better with age. However, Jo has also found herself moonlighting as an anonymous advice columnist for the people of the south, trying to use her "fame" to discuss issues of race and gender inequality. She is also in search of answers. Having found a mysterious letter she sets out to solve a mystery that could lead to more than she bargained for.

Wow!  This book is brilliant!   Jo is the girl to root for!  Fierce and with a strong sense of justice Jo is an amazing heroine.  This book deals with some heavy issues that reflect American society today.  This book is witty and has great dialogue.  Can't say more about how much I love it.

All Jo Kuan wants to do is make hats. However, her race has made that impossible when she's fired from Ms. English's hat shop and forced to return to a job that she despises: working as a lady's maid to Caroline Payne, who's determined to make Jo's life a living hell. Additionally, Jo and her caretaker, Uncle Gin, live underneath the Bell family, who publishes a newspaper that has seen better times. Feeling obligated to come to their aid, Jo becomes the pseudonymous author of an advice column known as Dear Miss Sweetie. 

The story follows Jo as she sees instances of injustice and pens her frustrations as Miss Sweetie. This gains the interest of Atlanta, especially the women, who come to identify with Jo's persona. Of course, the audience believes that Ms. Sweetie is a genteel Southern lady, which only adds to the story. There's also a horse race sponsored by Mrs. Payne and a crook named Billy Riggs, who threatens to uproot everything that Jo holds dear. 

Threaded throughout the story is racism. The story is backdropped against the suffragette movement and Lee takes this opportunity to show the toxicity of white feminism. Suffragettes are shown to only have an interest in earning the <i>white</i> women's vote but still rely on the work of black and minority women to accomplish this. Lee also demonstrates the clear distinction between white and black folk and how the Chinese are often overlooked in this equation. This is shown through the segregation laws of the streetcars and how Old Gin and Jo cannot sit on the car at all because they are not white or black. While not the primary focus, this book showcases that are often overlooked in historical fiction and voices that have been heard before.

Jo Kuan lives with Old Gin in an old abolitionist's den in the basement of a printer's office. She has a good life for a Chinese girl in the early 1900's in the South--she works for a milliner, and she has an unparalleled eye for fashion and a sharp tongue. When she is fired for being Chinese, however, she must return the Payne Estate, where she spent her childhood, and work as a lady's maid for Caroline, the Paynes' cruel daughter. However, she finds an unexpected bright spot by writing as Miss Sweetie, an anonymous columnist and "agony aunt" for the newspaper that is printed above her secret home.
I always tell my fellow librarians that Stacey Lee can do no wrong, and she's struck gold again with THE DOWNSTAIRS GIRL. Jo was whip-smart, wise beyond her years, and never daunted, and she is exactly the kind of character I love to root for. I will definitely be purchasing this and recommending it to all the fans of historical fiction that I know!

THE DOWNSTAIRS GIRL by Stacey Lee (Under a Painted Sky and Outrun the Moon) is a work of historical fiction in which readers definitely will experience 1890 Atlanta with all of its gender, race, and social class biases. The main character is Jo Kuan, a seventeen-year-old Chinese orphan who lives with her guardian, Old Gin, in a basement hideout formerly on the underground railroad. She wants to be a milliner and has obvious skills until she is abruptly dismissed for making some of the white patrons "uncomfortable." Next, it is on to being a lady's maid for a rather spoiled young woman at an estate where Old Gin helps to care for the horses. In an effort to save a local newspaper, Jo also starts writing an advice column, signing her letters as Miss Sweetie and cleverly tackling questions related to beauty, social mores and "newfangled machinery" like bicycles. Even though THE DOWNSTAIRS GIRL is set in a time and place with which our students will have little affinity, I think they will readily relate to Jo's spirit – she is optimistic, resourceful and daring – a real "saucebox" with an independent streak. And the cover is beautiful and eye catching!  

THE DOWNSTAIRS GIRL received multiple starred reviews (Booklist, Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal) – expect this title to appear on award lists, too.

In this wonderfully crafted historical fiction, Jo Kuan is a Chinese American living in 1890s Atlanta. She gets fired from her hat job just because she’s Chinese and secretly lives below a family of journalists with her adoptive father Old Gin. Soon, Jo works as a Lady’s maid for the temperamental Caroline who tortured her as a young girl. Then, she begins secretly writing under the pseudonym Miss Sweetie for the newspaper family she’s watched from the shadows. 

In her column that begins to take Atlanta by storm, Jo makes controversial statements about race and gender and everyone wants to know who the real Miss Sweetie actually is. Meanwhile, Jo also goes on a journey of self-discovery. Who are her parents? Why was she abandoned? The story is truly engrossing from start to finish with good writing and excellent characterization. Everyone just feels three dimensional and real. Furthermore, it’s clear this was thoroughly researched because Stacey Lee transports us so easily to the Gilded Age of the South. All the little details make the novel even more authentic. I honestly had no idea about Chinese Americans in the South. It’s a new topic and the novel captures the era beautifully.

As for the romance, it's not exactly the focus. What is there, is super sweet and offers us old-fashioned romantic moments that are a nice touch to this lovely historical novel. I strongly recommend this one to all historical fiction readers.

What an amazing historical fiction novel! I have not read anything by Stacey Lee before, but I want to read all her books, now!

Not only does this story address a specific aspect of history that is very seldom covered, it is done in a way that feels meaningful and true. The diversity in this book is another lovely touch that adds authenticity and a breath of fresh air. I loved getting to learn about this amazing cast of diverse characters, of seeing the main character, Jo, not only fight her own battles, but also receive strength and guidance from others. The strong females in this book made me so happy! Lee did an amazing job bringing these women and their stories to life. 

I could not put this book down! The pacing, the story itself, and the serious topics, laced with humor to break them up, made for a fantastic read. I was so absorbed by the story! I didn't want it to end.

This book is a great choice for readers who love historical fiction, diverse reads, or those looking for a strong female protagonist who faces real-life struggles. This book is relatable and feels so authentic. I highly recommend reading it!

While I profess to love both Historical Fiction and Young Adult novels somehow I have yet to come across a book by Stacey Lee and now that I have read one - I need to dig up more! The pace was quick and easy to devour and the dialogue was deliciously snappy. I do have to say that the phrase "saucebox" will have to enter my own personal lexicon. I also loved the little quirks of character such as writing down new words and definitely identify with Jo's thirst for knowledge. I appreciated that while the story didn't necessarily focus primarily on the important issues of the time but also that it didn't ignore them. A wonderful read for a variety of ages. Definitely recommended!

For the most part I really enjoyed this book, and I like the main character, Jo, a lot. The pace was quick, and I was engaged in Jo’s story. Occasionally I found the writing style distracting though. I’d be reading along and there would be a sentence that popped me out of the story.

Still, I did like it, and I would recommend it to others who enjoy historical fiction.

Absolutely gorgeous prose. Stacey Lee infuses her historical setting with fresh, honest emotion. Five stars.