About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is feeling stifled by their environment or is beginning to question the social and religious structures they were raised in. It is a brilliant choice for girls who are navigating the transition from childhood idealism to the complexities of the adult world. The story follows Joan, a farm girl in 1911 who runs away to Baltimore and becomes a hired girl for a wealthy Jewish family. Through her diary entries, readers explore themes of religious tolerance, social class, and the messy reality of first crushes. It is emotionally rich and intellectually stimulating, offering a sophisticated look at self-improvement and the search for belonging. While it deals with romantic yearnings and religious tensions, it remains age-appropriate for the 12 to 16 range, providing a humorous yet poignant roadmap for finding one's own voice.
