Bibliographical information:

Ibbotson, Eva. A Countess Below Stairs. 1981. New York: Penguin, 2007.

Brief summary:

Anna Grazinsky is a sweet and happy child--and also a countess--in prerevolutionary Russia. When the revolution arrives, they flee Russia, and find themselves penniless in England, dependent on the kindness of Anna's English governess. When Anna looks for work, the only position she can find is that of a housemaid on a country estate.

Comments:

Ibbotson's characters are all lovable or hateful, and it's fun to watch them interact. Ibbotson treats British society with humor, though she exposes some of its ugliness as well.

Grade/Age level:

The book is shelved with YA books at the NYPL. There are some oblique references to sex, but nothing explicit. I think it would appeal to middle schoolers and up who like romances.

Cautions:

I felt slightly uncomfortable with Ibbotson's representation of the Rabinovitch family. They are sympathetic characters, but a bit stereotyped, and their flexibilty about tradtional observance is represented as open-mindedness. 

If you like this book, you might also like . . .

--Lisa Gordis

Feel free to add comments by clicking the comments tab above.