While The Amah takes place in the world of Ribbons, our POV character is Amy Chin, Robin's friend. Her mother is a widow with 5 children to take care of, so she's seemingly gotten a break as an ex-pat family recently from Hong Kong is looking for a Chinese amah. Amy feels parallels between her stepsister role at ballet class to her home life, but finds out that Miss Stephanie (her mother's charge) also lives in a cage, albeit more gilded.

Rereading as an adult, there's some glimmers of darkness around the edge- when Stephanie is surprised Mrs. Chin paints life at the Sinclair house as rosy, or when Amy catches a glimpse of a scar on Stephanie's wrist (not the direct I thought it was going to take, but still pretty grim for a middle grade book...!) Ultimately the message is also that it's better to adapt with changes, and that there's often complexity below the surface of what looks like a idyllic situation.

There is some continuity from The Cook's Family as Ah-Way is still in Grandmother's life! ( )

Amy feels conflicted when her mother becomes an amah(a nanny) for the perfect Miss Stephanie. While her mother's at work, Amy has to watch her younger brothers and sisters, which means missing ballet practices. Amy wants to be a good daughter, but she also wants to keep her role in the upcoming dance production.
This is a story that many kids could relate to while learning more about chinese culture. ( )