The Baltimore Jewish Times published a feature story about Laura Amy Schlitz in January 2016. To read the article, click HERE.

 On Wednesday, September 16, WYPR’s Tom Hall interviewed Laura Amy Schlitz about
The Hired Girl. To listen to the interview, click HERE.

AWARD: 2016 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction 

“While the novel, set in 1911 and presented as Joan’s journal, displays and indeed revels in the classic tropes of the coming-of-age story, it is, the judges noted, very much a book of our time, confronting Joan with questions about prejudice and religious faith and tolerance in ways that speak to readers today without trapping itself into anachronism or wishful thinking about the past. It provides immersive detail about Joan’s circumstances that always serves the character and her story, and not once does that story forget it is Joan herself who is telling it. The judges saw more than a bit of L. M. Montgomery’s Anne Shirley in good-hearted but impulsive Joan, and Schlitz shares Montgomery’s ability to keep our respect for her heroine even while we cringe at some of her more ill-advised actions (a notion to convert the Rosenbach grandchild, for example). Like Joan herself, The Hired Girl is comedic, romantic, and always very real.“

—Roger Sutton, editor in chief of The Horn Book

AWARD: 2016 Gold Medal in Sydney Taylor Book Award’s Teen category

The Sydney Taylor Book Award honors new books for children and teens that exemplify the highest literary standards while authentically portraying the Jewish experience. The award memorializes Sydney Taylor, author of the classic All-of-a-Kind Family series. 

AWARD: 2015 National Jewish Book Award for Young Adult Literature

In 1950, the Jewish Book Council created The National Jewish Book Awards program, which presented awards to authors of Jewish books at its annual meeting. Past notable literary winners include Deborah Lipstadt, Bernard Malamud, Chaim Potok, Philip Roth, Elie Wiesel, and Jonathan Safran Foer. Awards are presented in 14 categories. The Hired Girl was notable in that it is the first winner in the Young Adult Literature category.

“Fans of Little Women, rejoice. Janet’s impassioned diary, inspired by Schlitz’s own grandmother’s journals, explores themes of faith and feminism, love and literature, culture and class in early 20th-century America, all the while charming readers with a vivid cast of characters.”

—Shelf Awareness (starred review)

  “…Schlitz (Splendors & Glooms) has crafted another exquisite literary gem, one told entirely via Joan’s vivid, humorous, and emotionally resonant diary entries over a year and a half. Through Joan’s naïve perspective, Schlitz frankly discusses class, religion, women’s education, art, literature, and romance. “

—Publisher’s Weekly

  “It’s a pity that fruitcake has such a poor reputation in this country, because a slice of the stuff at its tastiest is the perfect simile for the rich, variegated deliciousness of Laura Amy Schlitz’s The Hired Girl. What a heroine, not just for the early 20th century, which Ms. Schlitz skillfully evokes through Janet’s impressions, but also for our own time. Brava to Laura Amy Schlitz, whose enchanting writing has brought such a spectacular character to young people’s literature.”

—Wall Street Journal

 “Joan is reminiscent of heroines like Anne Shirley, Jo March, Cassandra Mortmain, and her own favorite character, Jane Eyre…Her overactive imagination, passions, and impulsive disregard for propriety often get Joan into trouble, but these same qualities will endear her to readers everywhere.”

—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  “Written as a diary, the first-person narrative brings immediacy to Joan’s story and intimacy to her confessions and revelations. The distinctive household setting and the many secondary characters are well developed, while Joan comes alive on the page as a vulnerable, good-hearted, and sometimes painfully self-aware character struggling to find her place in the world. A memorable novel from a captivating storyteller.”

—Booklist (starred review)

 “Coming-of-age drama and deeper questions of faith, belonging, and womanhood are balanced with just the right blend of humor. A wonderful look into the life of strong girl who learns that she needs the love of others to truly grow up.” 

—School Library Journal (starred review)

 “The book is framed as Joan’s diary, and her weaknesses, foibles, and naiveté come through as clearly—and as frequently—as her hopes, dreams, and aspirations…by the end readers feel as if they’ve witnessed the real, authentic growth of a memorable young woman.”

—The Horn Book (starred review)

 “The diary format allows Joan’s romantic tendencies full rein, as well as narrative latitude for a few highly improbable scenarios and wildly silly passion. Tons of period details, especially about clothing, round out a highly satisfying and smart breast-clutcher from this Newbery-winning author.”

—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

 “I was impressed with the author’s finesse of presenting this particular trait in the main character, having her make mistakes without having readers wince at the bluntness of the main character’s actions. I was disappointed that the book wasn’t longer.”

—School Library Journal’s Teen Review, Jessica Y., age 14