Out of the Easy

Sepetys, Ruta. 2014. Out of the Easy. Philomel Books. New York, NY. ISBN 978-0147508430

PLOT SUMMARY

  

Josie Moraine is a smart, mature young girl living in New Orleans during the 1950s. She is the daughter of a prostitute that works for Madame Willie in the French Quarter. Josie’s mother has always been interested in money and fame, and she has no concern for her own daughter who lives alone in a small room above the bookstore she works at. Josie has dreams of leaving New Orleans and attending Smith College in Massachusetts. However, a series of unfortunate events make it difficult for her to follow her dreams. Although she has never felt affection from her mother, she receives love and support from others such as Mr. Charlie and Patrick, the bookstore owners, and Cokie, Madame Willie’s driver. Madame Willie, the head behind the brothel, may seem to lack compassion, but she is always there to support Josie.

 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Out of the Easy paints an interesting historic picture of New Orleans during the 1950s. It describes how the high society members tend to live a double life in the French Quarters while they live a false luxurious life back home.  During a time where the mob was strong in New Orleans, the author portrays the life of those that followed that kind of life. Mr. Hearne was killed unjustly due to someone drugging him which seemed to be a common form of stealing from the rich in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. 

An important theme covered in the book was to follow one's dreams even when the circumstances make it difficult. Josie wanted to attend Smith College and even after receiving her denial letter, she embarked on the journey to try to achieve her goal.  Although she dislikes the life the prostitutes lead, Josie realizes they are caring and want to help her throughout the story. 

REVIEW EXCERPTS


Kirkus, starred review- "With a rich and realistic setting, a compelling and entertaining first-person narration, a colorful cast of memorable characters and an intriguing storyline."

Booklist “A page-turner that noir romance fans will gobble up. The legions of fans that Sepetys earned with her best-selling debut novel will all be lining up for this."

CONNECTIONS

• This book gives you a historical overview of the French Quarter during the 1950s. It gives a detailed description of the life of prostitutes in the brothels, and the expansion of the mob.

Other related books:

• Chasing the Devil’s Tail by David Fulmer

• The Last Madam: A Life in the New Orleans Underworld  by Christine Wiltz

Activity: Research New Orleans in the 1950s, creating a timeline to important events and people that were recognized during the era. 

The Downstairs Girl

Lee, Stacey. 2021. The Downstairs Girl. G.P Putnam’s Sons. New York, NY .ISBN 978-1524740979

 PLOT SUMMARY

Jo Kuan, an Asian American seventeen year old, shares her personal journey living in Atlanta during the late 1800s. During this time women are considered a minority and are fighting for the right to vote. Being a woman and being Asian makes it harder for witty and intelligent Jo to find her place. Jo lives secretly in the Bell’s basement with Old Gin, who has taken her in after her parents abandoned her. Jo is hard working, perseverant and outspoken. Living in the basement allows her to learn new things through the lives of the Bell’s who own the town’s newspaper. Jo eavesdrops and hears that the Bell's newspaper business is dwindling, so she decides to anonymously write letters to be published as an advice column. This gives the newspaper a boost in sales, although her column causes quite a stir in the small town due to the shocking topics. During this time she also  works as a lady’s maid at the Payne’s household and takes care of stubborn and feisty Caroline. With time, Jo discovers a terrible secret that involves her parents. She has to learn to accept this new situation and realizes that she is surrounded by people who love and admire her like Old Gin, Naomi, and Nathan Bells.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The Girl Downstairs describes a time in the late 1800s when women want to be treated fairly and equally. This time demonstrates the inequality of the moment. Suffragettes are rallying and finding their voices. Jo gives a glimpse of living as an Asian woman during this era. She finds it unfair that she is unable to voice her opinions and has to go under the pseudonym, Mrs. Sweetie, to write a column for the Focus newspaper. Women are expected to marry into society and to act decently. Jo is let go of her job at the millinery because she gives advice about fashion when she is not asked to do so. Jo’s character has a charm that defies the stereotype of the typical quiet Asian woman. Jo learns to persevere even when all odds are against her. 

REVIEWS

Kirkus Reviews, starred review - “Luminous . . . An optimistic, sophisticated portrayal of one facet of Chinese-American—and simply American—history.”

Booklist, 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.” 

School Library Journal, 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.”

Awards:

New York's Time bestseller

CONNECTIONS

• This book reminds us of the importance of culture and family. Sometimes learning about our past can make us realize our present is complete.

Other related books:

• Tokyo Everafter  by Emiko Jean

• Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See

Activity: Research about millineries and horse racing in the south during the late 1800s.

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The Book Thief

Zusak, Markus. 2007. The Book Thief. Knopf Book. New York, NY. ISBN‎ 978-0375842207

PLOT SUMMARY

The Book Thief is centered in Germany during World War II in a time of horror and desolation. Death, the narrator of this story, is diligently working to pick up souls of those dying during the war. Death encounters a young girl named Liesel Meminger who is to be fostered by the Hubermans. Liesel yearns to learn how to read and her foster father Hans Huberman helps her achieve her goal. However, she has to find or steal the books to read because most of the books are being burned by Nazi soldiers. In an unexpected turn, a Jew, Max Vanderburg, secretly seeks asylum with the Hubermans. Knowing that this could become a death sentence for all of them, they decide to hide him in the basement. Liesel and Max become friends during an extremely difficult time. During his time in hiding, Max becomes extremely ill and is taken care of by Liesel and the Hubermans. The young girl learns about compassion and realizes that words can be powerful in both a negative and a positive way.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is powerful and unexpected in many ways. Having death be the narrator makes the book appear chilling, but sometimes comical in some parts. Death shares his beliefs and feelings ,and his thoughts appear in small bolded excerpts throughout the book. There is a moment when one's opinion of death changes from that of fear to that of empathy. At the end, as death explains, it is just doing its job. Death describes humans as being the cause of their own misfortunes. The book is divided into ten parts and in some of the parts, Max Vanderburg, the Jewish character, shares his drawings about his frustrations. While hiding in the basement, Max materializes his dreams by making a thirteen page booklet depicting himself as a bird. In the booklet he describes the importance of Liesel’s presence and how she gives him hope for a better future. Max’s drawings bring the story to life. Liesel’s search for books gives power to the ability that words may have on others.

REVIEWS

School Library Journal, Starred–"An extraordinary narrative."

The Horn Book Magazine, Starred–"Exquisitely written and memorably populated, Zusak's poignant tribute to words, survival, and their curiously inevitable entwinement is a tour de force to be not just read but inhabited."

Awards:

National Jewish Book Awards for Children’s and Young Adults Literature

Kathleen Mitchell Award

CONNECTIONS

• The book reminds us of the horrors lived in World War II and about the importance of friendship and empathy during such a terrible time. 

Other related books:

• All the Light We Cannot See  by Anthony Doerr

• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Activity: 

Students can research World War II and learn about concentration camps and the harsh and deplorable living conditions experienced by the Jews during that time.