Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier. New York: Dutton, 1999. The offer of a maid position at the house of painter Johannes Vermeer seems ideal. There is something about him, though which unsettles Griet. She soon leans that being on her own, a maid, and having to be near this great painter will change her life forever.

Ages 16-up

Genre: Historical fiction – this story takes place in 17th century Delft.

Appealing aspects of this book – teen girl; girls working; historical fiction with famous people; life choices; famous paintings

Uses for this book in schools – award books; employer/employee relationships across genres; fictionalization of famous objects/people

Other historical fiction books:
The age of wonders by Aharon Appelfeld
Amanda Miranda by Richard Peck
Never trust a dead man by Vivian Vande Velde
Pharaoh's daughter : a novel of ancient Egypt by Julius Lester.

Learn more about Vermeer at the WebMuseum, Paris

Recommendations:
Booklist, December 1999
School Library Journal, June 2000
Library Journal, October 2001
Best Books for Young Adults (ALA), 2001
Alex Award, 2001