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Diary of a Waitress: The Not-So-Glamorous Life of a Harvey Girl
A young working girl comes of age in the American West in this “fast and interesting” historical novel for fans of the Dear America and American Girl series ( School Library Journal )
In 1926, droves of Americans traveled by train across the United States to visit the West. They ate at Harvey Houses, where thousands of well-trained waitresses provided first-class service. The The Journal of a Harvey Girl tells the first-person story of one spunky girl, Kitty Evans, as she faces the often funny and painful experiences she and fellow waitresses Cordelia and Emmy endure. As Kitty writes about her escapades, a loveable teenager emerges; she embraces adventure, independence, her position as a Harvey Girl, and a freelance writing career.
In this fast-paced novel, best-selling author Carolyn Meyer, who has visited and researched several Harvey Hotels, brings together an unforgettable heroine with the universal themes of friendship, identity, and young love.
In 1926, droves of Americans traveled by train across the United States to visit the West. They ate at Harvey Houses, where thousands of well-trained waitresses provided first-class service. The The Journal of a Harvey Girl tells the first-person story of one spunky girl, Kitty Evans, as she faces the often funny and painful experiences she and fellow waitresses Cordelia and Emmy endure. As Kitty writes about her escapades, a loveable teenager emerges; she embraces adventure, independence, her position as a Harvey Girl, and a freelance writing career.
In this fast-paced novel, best-selling author Carolyn Meyer, who has visited and researched several Harvey Hotels, brings together an unforgettable heroine with the universal themes of friendship, identity, and young love.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 7, 2015
25 people are currently reading
734 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Meyer
112 books1,083 followersCarolyn Meyer is as versatile a writer as you will find. Along with historical fiction and realistic novels for young adults she has written nonfiction for young adults and books for younger readers on topics as diverse as the Amish, the Irish, Japanese, Yup'ik Eskimos, a rock band, rock tumbling, bread baking, and coconuts. And ten of her books have been chosen as Best Books for Young Adults by the American Library Association. In her most recent historical novels she has dealt with the young lives of Mary Tudor, Princess Elizabeth, Anastasia, and Isabel of Castilla, Spain.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
July 9, 2016
Kitty Evans dreams of going to college and becoming a journalist, but her father's business isn't doing well and he only has enough money to send one child to college. Kitty is incensed that her brother Howie gets to go to college when all he wants to do is fool around. She is expected to marry and have a family, the norm in the 1920s, therefore, she doesn't really need to go to college. Kitty has bigger dreams than that and she finds a way to make them happen when she signs on to be a Harvey Girl waitress. Harvey Girls are held to the highest standards and Kitty isn't sure she will make it past training, but with help from her friends, sensible Emmy and fun-loving Cordelia the flapper, she can stand anything. Kitty discovers there are adventures waiting to happen despite the grueling job.
I really enjoyed this fictional adventure. I saw an old movie with Judy Garland as a Harvey Girl but that was the first time I had ever heard of them. It's obvious Carolyn Meyer did an intense amount of research and the subject is one she's passionate about. I really liked the inclusion of period photographs of real Harvey eating houses, hotels and staff. Kitty's world comes to life, even without the photos, as she describes everything happening around her. I really go caught up in her adventures and couldn't put the book down waiting to see who would make it and how long they would last.
However, I do have a few little issues with the novel. I feel Kitty missed a great opportunity for her first story. She discovered brown girls get relegated to the kitchen whereas Harvey Girls are fair, usually blond and blue eyed. No one in the 1920s would publish a story about racism but it would have been a good teaching moment for younger readers. I kept forgetting this was set in the 1920s and not pre-war. The pop culture references are tossed in occasionally to remind readers and Kitty frequently refers to Cordelia as a flapper. Other than that, the story could have taken place any time during the late 19th century to the 1950s. I also could have done without the romance. It felt a little forced into the plot, especially into the epilogue. I hate jealousy plots and love triangles but fortunately this one is pretty mild. I wasn't crazy about the epilogue. The central novel was so descriptive and fun, the epilogue had a different feel - definitely told and now shown. I would have preferred to imagine my own adventures for the characters or even a sequel/companion novel.
This is Carolyn Meyer's best book in years, perhaps her best ever. She should stick to writing about fictional characters instead of historical figures.
I really enjoyed this fictional adventure. I saw an old movie with Judy Garland as a Harvey Girl but that was the first time I had ever heard of them. It's obvious Carolyn Meyer did an intense amount of research and the subject is one she's passionate about. I really liked the inclusion of period photographs of real Harvey eating houses, hotels and staff. Kitty's world comes to life, even without the photos, as she describes everything happening around her. I really go caught up in her adventures and couldn't put the book down waiting to see who would make it and how long they would last.
However, I do have a few little issues with the novel. I feel Kitty missed a great opportunity for her first story. She discovered brown girls get relegated to the kitchen whereas Harvey Girls are fair, usually blond and blue eyed. No one in the 1920s would publish a story about racism but it would have been a good teaching moment for younger readers. I kept forgetting this was set in the 1920s and not pre-war. The pop culture references are tossed in occasionally to remind readers and Kitty frequently refers to Cordelia as a flapper. Other than that, the story could have taken place any time during the late 19th century to the 1950s. I also could have done without the romance. It felt a little forced into the plot, especially into the epilogue. I hate jealousy plots and love triangles but fortunately this one is pretty mild. I wasn't crazy about the epilogue. The central novel was so descriptive and fun, the epilogue had a different feel - definitely told and now shown. I would have preferred to imagine my own adventures for the characters or even a sequel/companion novel.
This is Carolyn Meyer's best book in years, perhaps her best ever. She should stick to writing about fictional characters instead of historical figures.
March 9, 2022
A delightful historical fiction taking place in the 20. of the XX century in the USA.
I had no idea about Harvey Houses. It was interesting. I was gripped by the world of railroaders, flappers, cigarette ads like: "Reach for a Lucky Instead of a Sweet" and (still) deep prejudice against people of different skin colors (black or "Mexican").
It was in convention for young adult readers, but on the other hand in a way that allowed me to enjoy it too. I liked the characters. There was enough happiness, adventure, and serious issues to make the story believable, wise, and entertaining.
By the way, I agree with QNPoohBear, the epilogue a bit spoilt the book. But I think I will forget it soon and will remember only the main novel.
I had no idea about Harvey Houses. It was interesting. I was gripped by the world of railroaders, flappers, cigarette ads like: "Reach for a Lucky Instead of a Sweet" and (still) deep prejudice against people of different skin colors (black or "Mexican").
It was in convention for young adult readers, but on the other hand in a way that allowed me to enjoy it too. I liked the characters. There was enough happiness, adventure, and serious issues to make the story believable, wise, and entertaining.
By the way, I agree with QNPoohBear, the epilogue a bit spoilt the book. But I think I will forget it soon and will remember only the main novel.
July 3, 2015
I never knew about Harvey girls or restaurants before reading this historical fiction book set in 1926. I thought it seemed accurate and well-researched. It included a bibliography at the end. It lightly touched on racial and gender injustices. 5th-6th graders. Journal, 1926, southwest, Harvey girls and restaurants, female expectations, female freedoms.
March 4, 2022
Before this book I had no idea what a Harvey girl was, so this was quite an informative learning experience for me. I absolutely love stories that take place in other time periods as it always provides me with the most satisfying escape! So, this definitely made for an easy read.
Though I doubt I would excel at waitressing myself, I do believe such a job would have interested me greatly in that time period because of the travel adventures and close proximity to trains! I have a weakness in my heart when it comes to trains and an intense fire burning inside me to travel the world.
Some of the things that I found pretty interesting: It shocked me how they made the waitresses memorize the orders and not write them down. Haha that alone would disqualify me as I’d forget everything the second, they finished telling me! Also, how they had so little time off and SO MANY STRICT RULES!
The main character Kitty, faced with an unfair ultimatum by her family, finds herself facing the famous doors of destiny (as one door closed, another one opened straight into the life of a Harvey girl). It was fun to dive into her experiences and watch her shape her life with friends who became family. The ending was very satisfying and nostalgic. Fun read!
If you have ever read any of the Dear America books, I’d say this book falls closely in line with those – a touch of history mixed with coming of age. A lovely read I’m glad to have experienced.
Though I doubt I would excel at waitressing myself, I do believe such a job would have interested me greatly in that time period because of the travel adventures and close proximity to trains! I have a weakness in my heart when it comes to trains and an intense fire burning inside me to travel the world.
Some of the things that I found pretty interesting: It shocked me how they made the waitresses memorize the orders and not write them down. Haha that alone would disqualify me as I’d forget everything the second, they finished telling me! Also, how they had so little time off and SO MANY STRICT RULES!
The main character Kitty, faced with an unfair ultimatum by her family, finds herself facing the famous doors of destiny (as one door closed, another one opened straight into the life of a Harvey girl). It was fun to dive into her experiences and watch her shape her life with friends who became family. The ending was very satisfying and nostalgic. Fun read!
If you have ever read any of the Dear America books, I’d say this book falls closely in line with those – a touch of history mixed with coming of age. A lovely read I’m glad to have experienced.
January 16, 2021
When I was in my teens I came across a Judy Garland film about the Harvey Girls. I thought the historical idea was fascinating, even if the film was a relative flop.
About that same time, I read Meyer's other books about the British Queens as young girls. So this book had a lot of nostalgic build- up.
Historically, the book is fascinating. It includes(I'm assuming) legitimate photos of real places and people. The story lacks the built- in tension that was automatically (or perhaps naturally is a better word) present in her books about Mary and Elizabeth I. But that's the nature of the tale. And something that I've forgotten exists. So I was glad for the reminder.
About that same time, I read Meyer's other books about the British Queens as young girls. So this book had a lot of nostalgic build- up.
Historically, the book is fascinating. It includes(I'm assuming) legitimate photos of real places and people. The story lacks the built- in tension that was automatically (or perhaps naturally is a better word) present in her books about Mary and Elizabeth I. But that's the nature of the tale. And something that I've forgotten exists. So I was glad for the reminder.
February 6, 2019
Kitty Evans had dreams that were bigger than the Midwestern sky she was raised under. When family circumstances dictate that she can no longer attend university - despite an excellent academic record, Kitty embarks on a grand adventure as a Harvey Girl, serving the men and women aboard the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe railroad. With her new role come new opportunities to stretch her wings as a journalist and discover a whole new world outside of her own backyard.
October 10, 2017
I know about the Harvey restaurants and the Harvey girls but this book provides details about why they were so successful.
The author has taken details and made a story so we can enjoy the experience!!
Delightful!!
The author has taken details and made a story so we can enjoy the experience!!
Delightful!!
July 14, 2023
Harvey Girls tale
September 14, 2023
Very well researched, entertaining and engaging story!
January 24, 2023
Carolyn Meyer does not disappoint with Diary of a Waitress. It is a tale of young 17 year old Kitty Evans who decides to sign up to become a Harvey Girl upon hearing that she won't be able to go to college like her brother. Kitty has hopes that the job will help her save up for a future tuition where she dreams of becoming a journalist someday. While she is learning the was of a Harvey Girl, she befriends local farmgirl, Emmy, and the eccentric flapper, Cordelia. Both of them have dreams, and working as a waitress is a way to help save up for their goals too. Through it all, Kitty learns that being a Harvey Girl is a chore: perfection is everything, quick memory and being at your feet at all times is necessary. Despite her issues with some of the regulations, Kitty continues working, wanting to prove to her family that she is capable of independence and her wish to become a journalist will come into fruition. For all of her contract, she meets some famous people along her work and the hardships of growing up: romantic feelings for a railroader, anxiety of new positions, homesickness, and the stress of earning enough income.
While historical fiction, Meyer does her best to portray what a daily life of a Harvey Girl must have been like. And from what I read, it does sound demanding but is a steady position for most young women at the time to do. And unlike the books in her Young Royals series, the story of young Kitty Evans ends on a happy note. I disagree with another reviewer who says Ms. Meyer should stay away from using real people for her stories, the strengths in those stories she wrote shows here how well she can create a piece that is an intimate look on an era long gone while keeping intrigue for modern viewers to observe in a grounded sense. While Kitty is not fully fleshed out all the way, the first person narrative does make her situation relatable and intriguing to readers to sympathize with and continue to find out what happens next for her. All in all this book is a good piece to look into a working class girl's life in a time when not many options are granted to women who are without certain privileges, one that is both relatable and moving.
While historical fiction, Meyer does her best to portray what a daily life of a Harvey Girl must have been like. And from what I read, it does sound demanding but is a steady position for most young women at the time to do. And unlike the books in her Young Royals series, the story of young Kitty Evans ends on a happy note. I disagree with another reviewer who says Ms. Meyer should stay away from using real people for her stories, the strengths in those stories she wrote shows here how well she can create a piece that is an intimate look on an era long gone while keeping intrigue for modern viewers to observe in a grounded sense. While Kitty is not fully fleshed out all the way, the first person narrative does make her situation relatable and intriguing to readers to sympathize with and continue to find out what happens next for her. All in all this book is a good piece to look into a working class girl's life in a time when not many options are granted to women who are without certain privileges, one that is both relatable and moving.
October 19, 2015
Diary of a Waitress: The Not-So-Glamarous Life of a Harvey Girl (Calkins Creek, 2015) by Carolyn Meyer chronicles six months in 17-year-old Kitty Evans' life. The time is 1926; a time when young women were expected to marry and have children with few aspirations beyond that. Kitty, on the other hand, plans to go to college to become a journalist.
The books opens with Kitty's father's announcement that due to problems with his business, he doesn't have the money to send her to college. Left with this devastating news, Kitty impulsively decides to apply for a job as a Harvey Girl waitress. She is accepted and her life, working long days in the Harvey House Hotels and Restaurants, begins.
Although the book warmly shows Kitty discovering her own pathway to becoming a published writer, her colorful friend Cordelia, often steals the limelight. Cordelia is a flapper, a musician, and a young woman with enough spunk to return an expensive engagement ring from a man she doesn't love.
The "railroaders" young men who work at the roundhouse, and local ranchers, provide romantic interests for Kitty and her fellow waitresses, Emmy and Maggie. In the final chapter, when the women come together for a reunion twenty-five years later, the reader finds out the pathways that each women took.
I enjoyed the way Meyer brought the story to a close:
"What about you, Kitty?" Cordelia asked. "Are you still writing in your journal?"
I said I was.
"You should write a book about the Harvey Girls," she said.
"A novel of romance and adventure," Emmy suggested.
"A book about us," Maggie insisted.
I promised them I'd think about it.
Written in a diary format with black and white photographs of the real Harvey House Hotels sprinkled in, this novel will appeal to middle grade girls who enjoyed the American Girl series when they were younger. The hotels were built along the railroad lines and the book includes fun scenes where the waitresses take the trains and visit other hotels. With it's emphasis on historical accuracy, readers will be immersed in a time when waitresses were glad for a dime tip, and had to ask permission from their employer to go out on a date.
The books opens with Kitty's father's announcement that due to problems with his business, he doesn't have the money to send her to college. Left with this devastating news, Kitty impulsively decides to apply for a job as a Harvey Girl waitress. She is accepted and her life, working long days in the Harvey House Hotels and Restaurants, begins.
Although the book warmly shows Kitty discovering her own pathway to becoming a published writer, her colorful friend Cordelia, often steals the limelight. Cordelia is a flapper, a musician, and a young woman with enough spunk to return an expensive engagement ring from a man she doesn't love.
The "railroaders" young men who work at the roundhouse, and local ranchers, provide romantic interests for Kitty and her fellow waitresses, Emmy and Maggie. In the final chapter, when the women come together for a reunion twenty-five years later, the reader finds out the pathways that each women took.
I enjoyed the way Meyer brought the story to a close:
"What about you, Kitty?" Cordelia asked. "Are you still writing in your journal?"
I said I was.
"You should write a book about the Harvey Girls," she said.
"A novel of romance and adventure," Emmy suggested.
"A book about us," Maggie insisted.
I promised them I'd think about it.
Written in a diary format with black and white photographs of the real Harvey House Hotels sprinkled in, this novel will appeal to middle grade girls who enjoyed the American Girl series when they were younger. The hotels were built along the railroad lines and the book includes fun scenes where the waitresses take the trains and visit other hotels. With it's emphasis on historical accuracy, readers will be immersed in a time when waitresses were glad for a dime tip, and had to ask permission from their employer to go out on a date.
May 1, 2016
Yet another remarkable novel by Carolyn Meyer. "Diary of a Waitress" is the story of Kitty Evans, a recent high school graduate in 1920's Kansas with dreams of a career as a journalist. Her education plans are scuttled, however when she learns her parents can't afford to send both her and her brother to college. Determined to make her own way, she answers an advertisement for a job as a "Harvey Girl," an elite waitress at the Harvey House Restaurant chains located at various railroad stops throughout the Southwest. Apparently, being a Harvey Girl was a glamour job of the 1920's like Airline Hostesses (Flight Attendants) were in the 1960's. The author weaves a fascinating story of the career of Kitty Evans as she masters the military-like rules and regulations of the job as well as friends she makes along the way. A very interesting piece of Americana.
October 15, 2015
The story of me and Carolyn Meyer's books is this. "I'm not going to read any more of these. They aren't really that good. I'd rather read something else." "Oh look at that one. I have GOT to hear that story".
It's not that this story is badly written, it's just that I don't feel like her characters ever fill up her historical setting. The setting is always so great and I really feel like I learn a lot of interesting historical facts, but they could just be so much better and they aren't. And Diary of A Waitress was no different. The protagonist was flat, the story wasn't very deep or emotional or especially human, but I learned a ton of stuff.
So, here's to another round next time I come across one of her books. *shrugs*
It's not that this story is badly written, it's just that I don't feel like her characters ever fill up her historical setting. The setting is always so great and I really feel like I learn a lot of interesting historical facts, but they could just be so much better and they aren't. And Diary of A Waitress was no different. The protagonist was flat, the story wasn't very deep or emotional or especially human, but I learned a ton of stuff.
So, here's to another round next time I come across one of her books. *shrugs*
May 8, 2017
This is a YA book; I picked it up because I was looking for Marissa Meyer and Carolyn Meyer was right next to her on the shelf. For some reason I have always been fascinated by the Harvey Girl story, ever since I saw the Judy Garland movie, The Harvey Girls. I love the idea of having high standards and precision in a world with no permanent press, no air conditioning, no plastic tableware, no fast food. And women had precious few life choices they could make. The story, told through Kitty Evans, is upbeat because Kitty is upbeat. She is a brave young woman that takes on a tough job outside her comfort zone. Good for her. Good book.
March 6, 2016
I loved this! I read it because I'm interested in how Carolyn Meyer crafts a story within a unique historical context, and I was blown away. Kitty Evans, our protagonist, an aspiring journalist, documents her life as a Harvey girl in such an engaging, informative,and believable way. I found this use of the diary format to be masterful and effective. The reader experiences what being a Harvey girl was all about as well as Kitty's richly straightforward emotional life. Meyer will be speaking about this book here in Albuquerque on Sunday, and I just can't wait.
November 15, 2016
I've done some research on the Harvey Girls and I was really impressed with the accuracy of the whole story. I also appreciated the colorful characters and the skillful way the author knit together so many historical details. Really, the book only lost points for the underdeveloped love story. In fact, the book could have done without it in the end.
I think I would have been a Harvey Girl if I'd grown up during the hey day of Harvey Houses.
I think I would have been a Harvey Girl if I'd grown up during the hey day of Harvey Houses.
June 16, 2016
Excellent historical fiction book about a girl who leaves home to become a waitress at a Harvey house. Explains to today's young people how difficult and unusual it was for young women to leave home and get a career. Good history of the rail lines and restaurant industry that served them as it doesnt exist any longer.
April 22, 2015
Before air travel, there were trains. And hotels and restaurants to feed all the passengers along the rails. And the locals and the Harvey Girls who lived their lives there. Written in diary format, we see one such girl's life with her friends.
July 26, 2016
Loved this book! It was a fast read for me. I found the Harvey House history fascinating and especially enjoyed the local history about Belen, NM since I live right up the road from the Harvey House Museum!
November 21, 2016
A YA novel, told in diary form, provides a great deal of information about the job of waitress in various Harvey Houses along the railroad, as well as the building of some of the more interesting hotels.
August 7, 2016
Absolutely loved this book. Interesting historical facts about being a Harvey girl in the early nineteen hundreds. Beautiful characters.
January 20, 2017
Wonderful portrayal of old New Mexico and the little-known Harvey Houses. I just love books set in this time period!!
January 20, 2023
This is an unusual book, because it reads like a real diary, yet it isn't. I wasn't sure until the end. The book is based on the "waitress" Katherine Evans, 17 years old and salutatorian of her high school class, living in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1926. She has set her sights on going to college and studying journalism. Her father has told her that business is slow at Evans & Son, Fine Men's Clothiers Since 1909 (the "son" being her brother Howie, who is a junior at the University of Kansas) and they can't possibly afford to send her to college too. Her father suggests that he she might sell shoes in town. Her mother suggests that, "someday you'll marry a nice young man and have a family, and you don't NEED college for that.
Katherine "Kitty" takes matters into her own hands and applies to an advertisement in the newspaper to become a waitress with the Harvey Eating Houses. She did lie about her age being at least 18, but mailed in her letter of application anyway...and got the job! (The Harvey Houses are a real thing, centered around the ever expanding railroad, and there are books and films about them...the book has several photos of them as well, and there are references to use in the back of the book.)
Kitty has many interesting adventures, goes many places, and meets many new people along the way.
Katherine "Kitty" takes matters into her own hands and applies to an advertisement in the newspaper to become a waitress with the Harvey Eating Houses. She did lie about her age being at least 18, but mailed in her letter of application anyway...and got the job! (The Harvey Houses are a real thing, centered around the ever expanding railroad, and there are books and films about them...the book has several photos of them as well, and there are references to use in the back of the book.)
Kitty has many interesting adventures, goes many places, and meets many new people along the way.
November 16, 2018
This isn't kids, it's young adult and very enjoyable. Being a Harvey Girls gave thousands of young women a chance to make money and see the part of the country being settled by modern pioneers and the expansion of the railroad. Harvey Girls were waitresses who had to live up to very exacting standards.
It was a chance at freedom yet the women had to live under very strict rules that restricted that freedom. Fictional characters are mixed with real life figures including some history about Fred Harvey. Kitty, the central character hopes to go college and become a journalist but the family budget will only allow her brother to continue that opportunity,
She impulsively answers an ad to become a Harvey Girl and ends up in New Mexico. The story is told through her diary entries and a few newspaper articles she's able to write. She abandons her plans to be a globe trotting reporter for love which takes us back to traditional decisions rather than the groundbreaking daring she exhibited by defying her family and becoming a Harvey Girl.
It was a chance at freedom yet the women had to live under very strict rules that restricted that freedom. Fictional characters are mixed with real life figures including some history about Fred Harvey. Kitty, the central character hopes to go college and become a journalist but the family budget will only allow her brother to continue that opportunity,
She impulsively answers an ad to become a Harvey Girl and ends up in New Mexico. The story is told through her diary entries and a few newspaper articles she's able to write. She abandons her plans to be a globe trotting reporter for love which takes us back to traditional decisions rather than the groundbreaking daring she exhibited by defying her family and becoming a Harvey Girl.
June 20, 2025
The Harvey House restaurants, shops and hotels that sprung up along the railroad tracks in the late 1800s and early 1900s dramatically improved the comfort of passengers and helped open the west to tourism. It was Fred Harvey's vision, but it was his employees, especially the Harvey Girls, who brought it to life.
To entice the servers he needed to staff his operations, Harvey recruited adventurous young women, trained them, dressed them modestly, gave them room and board and a salary and got them to work on demand, even when it was 14 hours a day. The package made being a Harvey Girl socially acceptable even when being an ordinary waitress was not. Women signed up to escape the confines of parental control and housework and get an opportunity to see another part of the world.
This book is an entertaining account of what life might have been like for the young women who signed on with Harvey. For a more detailed description of the role they played with the development of rail travel, I recommend Lesley Poling-Kempes' book, The Harvey Girls.
To entice the servers he needed to staff his operations, Harvey recruited adventurous young women, trained them, dressed them modestly, gave them room and board and a salary and got them to work on demand, even when it was 14 hours a day. The package made being a Harvey Girl socially acceptable even when being an ordinary waitress was not. Women signed up to escape the confines of parental control and housework and get an opportunity to see another part of the world.
This book is an entertaining account of what life might have been like for the young women who signed on with Harvey. For a more detailed description of the role they played with the development of rail travel, I recommend Lesley Poling-Kempes' book, The Harvey Girls.
March 30, 2018
The storyline and history of the Harvey Girls is interesting. The interwoven historical characters add to the authenticity of this historical fiction. However, this is a young adult book with limited vocabulary and a predictable ending. Still a sweet story that held my attention from start to finish.
June 20, 2019
This author is a local author for me and Diary of a Waitress actually is set in my home town of Belen, New Mexico which is pretty darn awesome! I loved the details of this book and how the author gave a in depth story of Kitty the main character of becoming a Harvey Girl. The adorable love story was too cute for words. I enjoyed this book especially because it based in my home town.
June 4, 2021
This is a well-researched and well-written fictional story about a young lady who became a Harvey Girl. Fred Harvey built quality restaurants along the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe railways so that weary travelers could be assured of a good meal served in record time by polite and well-trained young ladies.
January 15, 2023
First person account of a Harvey Girl
This was a sweet look into what it took to be a Harvey girl during the early 1900's. I would recommend it to anyone 10+ interested in the topic. My kids and I have been learning about New Mexico History. It was nice to hear stories of Belen and life on the train, for the next time we visit.
This was a sweet look into what it took to be a Harvey girl during the early 1900's. I would recommend it to anyone 10+ interested in the topic. My kids and I have been learning about New Mexico History. It was nice to hear stories of Belen and life on the train, for the next time we visit.
June 25, 2023
This was a really fun read. I heard a History Chicks podcast about the Harvey Girls and checked this book out from the library to learn more. I want to read a longer nonfiction book about this topic at some point, but right now with small children and limited reading time, this one was perfect. Seemed like a well-researched glimpse into what life was like for a Harvey Girl in the 1920s.
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