Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Stephanie Land’s memoir paints a deeply personal yet widely relatable picture of poverty in America. How did her story impact your understanding of the struggles faced by low-wage workers and single parents? How does it compare to other works of memoir or nonfiction that deal heavily with economic insecurity, such as Jeannette Walls’s The Glass Castle? 

2. Land often describes feeling invisible in her work as a maid. How did this theme of invisibility resonate with you? Were there moments where you felt frustrated on her behalf?

3. The book ends with Land and Mia moving to Missoula, fulfilling a long-held dream. Did you find the ending satisfying? Why or why not?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Land frequently describes her financial situation as precarious, constantly teetering on the edge of homelessness. How did this book shape your perspective on poverty?

2. Throughout Maid, Land encounters people who judge her for receiving government assistance. Where do you think this stigma comes from?