The Downstairs Girl

A Reese's Book Club YA Pick
A New York Times Bestseller
An Indie Bestseller
A People Magazine Best Book of the Year
A Washington Post Best Children s Book of the Year
One of NPR's Favorite Books of the Year
A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Editors Choice
A BookPage Best Book of the Year
A New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year
A Crystal Kite Award Winner

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee is clever, poignant and funny. It s a bold portrait about a young Chinese-American woman named Jo who is faced with adversity and finds a creative way to use her voice for greater good. Reese Witherspoon

Vividly rendered, intriguingly plotted . . . Jo s example of resistance and hope is sure to resonate with today s readers. The Washington Post

Holds a mirror to our present issues while giving us a detailed and vibrant picture of life in the past. The New York Times

A joyful read . . . The Downstairs Girl, for all its serious and timely content, is a jolly good time. NPR

A triumph of storytelling. The Downstairs Girl is a bold portrait of this country s past, brilliantly painted with wit, heartbreak, and unflinching honesty. Everyone needs to read this book. Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval

A gorgeous tale that will steal your heart. This is not only a keeper, but a classic! Robin LaFevers, New York Times bestselling author of the His Fair Assassin trilogy

A jewel of a story. By shining a light on the lives of those whom history usually ignores, Lee gives us a marvelous gift: An entirely new and riveting look at our past." Candace Fleming, award-winning author of The Family Romanov

Clever, funny, and poignant, The Downstairs Girl is Stacey Lee at her best.   Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of The Crown s Game

Immersive, important, and thoroughly entertaining, The Downstairs Girl sparkles with all of Stacey Lee s signature humor, charm, warmth, and wisdom. Kelly Loy Gilbert, Morris Award Finalist for Conviction

* Luminous . . . An optimistic, sophisticated portrayal of one facet of Chinese-American and simply American history. Kirkus Reviews, starred review
 
* This spectacular, voice-driven novel raises powerful questions about how we understand the past, as well as the ways our current moment is still shaped by that understanding. Booklist, starred review
 
* Unflinching in its portrayals of racism yet ultimately hopeful and heartfelt, this narrative places voices frequently left out of historical fiction center stage. School Library Journal, starred review
 
* This captivating novel explores intersectionality, conveys the effects of restrictions placed on women and people of color, and celebrates the strengths and talents of marginalized people struggling to break society s barriers in any age. Publishers Weekly, starred review
 
* A compelling domestic drama with a winning heroine. The Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books, starred review

"The Downstairs Girl is rich in historical detail and anchored by Stacey Lee s buoyant prose and a heroine whose voice leaps off the page."  BookPage

Lee's profound writing tackles topics of politics and race with a main character who isn't afraid to speak her mind. Buzzfeed

History, mystery, social commentary, adventure this book s got it all! BookRiot

All of Lee s books offer a stunning level of historical accuracy and feel like mini time machines, including her latest. This story about using your voice is one of Lee s best. Paste Magazine

An apt, powerful read. Woman s World Magazine