The Downstairs Girl

I read The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee for my book club with friends at church. The book description reads, "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."

This book was my suggestion for the group, and I recommended it because I had liked Stacey Lee's book Under a Painted Sky last year. This was a great read (though I did it via audiobook, which isn't my preferred method of reading--so I think I may have liked it even more if I had read it normally). I loved the unique approach to historical fiction (1890s southern United States but a Chinese main character) and getting a glimpse into that world. Jo was a great character, and it was fun to follow her and her life and secrets. I really liked some of the side characters (Old Gin and Nathan) and also felt like the author did a great job making me super annoyed with some of the other characters (Caroline). I thought this was a fun read. I would definitely pick up another book by this author.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Honestly Elliott

I read Honestly Elliott by Gillian McDunn after seeing it won the middle grade Schneider Family Book Award (which honor books that well represent the disability experience). The book description reads, "Elliott has been struggling since his closest friend moved away, and he's not too sure where he fits into his own family, especially since his newly remarried dad and stepmom are expecting a baby. His grades aren't too great, he's always forgetting things, and he doesn't really like sports. All together, the result is someone the complete opposite of his dad--a fact they're both very aware of. Elliott's only solace is cooking, where he can control the outcome, testing exciting recipes and watching his favorite cooking shows. When he's paired with the super smart and popular Maribel for a school-wide project, Elliott worries they won't see eye to eye. But Maribel is also looking for a new way to show others her true self and this project could be the chance they've both been waiting for. Sometimes the least likely friends help you see a new side to things . . . and sometimes you have to make a few mistakes before you figure out what's right."

I really enjoyed this book. Elliott has ADHD, so the book gave some insight into what it's like to live with that disability. He was a great character, and the author did a great job with giving us a look into so many relationships in his life--his parents, therapist, classmates, friends, etc. I felt like I really got to know the characters. The story was engaging and fun, and I really liked how things came together in the end. This is another book that my daughter read before me on vacation, and she also sped through it--which to me showed it was an excellent read.

Rating: * * (2/3 = Liked it)

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

I read Maizy Chen's Last Chance by Lisa Yee after seeing it won the Newbery Honor Award this year. The book description says, "Maizy has never been to Last Chance, Minnesota . . . until now. Her mom’s plan is just to stay for a couple weeks, until her grandfather gets better. But plans change, and as Maizy spends more time in Last Chance and at the Golden Palace—the restaurant that’s been in her family for generations—she makes some discoveries. For instance: *You can tell a LOT about someone by the way they order food. *People can surprise you. Sometimes in good ways, sometimes in disappointing ways. *And the Golden Palace has secrets... But the more Maizy discovers, the more questions she has. Like, why are her mom and her grandmother always fighting? Who are the people in the photographs on the office wall? And when she discovers that a beloved family treasure has gone missing—and someone has left a racist note—Maizy decides it’s time to find the answers."

This was a great read. I had a library copy on the Kindle when we went on vacation overseas, and Emmeline (my 12-year-old) read the book before I even got a chance to. She was super engaged from the start and finished the book in a few days--which is saying a lot because she hasn't been a super engaged reader lately. I then read it on the flight home and really enjoyed it. I did shed some tears at the end but was able to keep it together since I was surrounded by people on the airplane. :) The author did a great job creating an interesting story with lovable characters, and I liked how the book taught meaningful lessons about racism and prejudice and on knowing and learning from our family history. Great read.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)