I love historical fiction, especially stories that focus on a lesser known/covered chapter in history. And I love libraries. 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐀𝐍'𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐃𝐄 brought both together in a transformative and captivating way.

𝘔𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬:
Dual timeline structure between WWI and 1987.

Strong, courageous, gutsy women of the "CARDs" - women who served voluntarily to help the women and children of war torn France.

Many characters were real women or based on real women.

Lovingly and carefully researched.

Female friendships.

Highlighted how books connect us and create community even at the worst of times.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is the story of Kit Carson, a librarian in France during WWI, who works alongside other women to bring books to people who have lost all hope. It is an intriguing story and I am thankful for the chance to read it.

A story that touches upon themes of the horrors of war, trauma, resilience and survival, friendship, compassion and the healing power of books and reading Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles is a remarkable work of historical fiction. Based on the true story of Jessie Carson, an American librarian known for her efforts to establish children’s libraries in war-torn France and training young French women librarians, the novel also sheds light on CARD, the American Committee for Devastated France, (Le Comité américain pour les régions dévastées), an initiative headed by wealthy American philanthropist Ann Morgan and the women who volunteered to travel to France to help rebuild devastated French communities near the war front in the aftermath of The Great War.

The narrative is shared through dual timelines set in 1918 France and 1987 New York City. The 1918 timeline is shared from the perspective of Jessie, as she travels to CARD Headquarters in the village of Blérancourt, France, where she joins fellow volunteers. Miss Morgan and CARD president Dr. Anne Murray Dike. Hoping to begin her work as a librarian immediately upon arrival and share her love for favorite books and reading with the children in the village providing them with moments of much needed respite, she is unprepared for the sounds of shelling coming from the front, the hazards of the Red Zone and the destruction in the wake of the retreating German forces. The narrative follows Jessie and her friends as they go above and beyond in their efforts to offer support to the communities who are struggling to rebuild their lives after experiencing unimaginable losses.

The 1987 timeline follows aspiring writer and NYPL employee Wendy Peterson, who finds several old CARD bulletins published in 1918 that describe the work of CARD volunteers in Northern France. When she comes across a brief reference about Jessie, she is inspired to find out as much as she can about the NYPL librarian and her work – not an easy task because of limited source material and the fact that there is not much mention of Jessie in existing records. Wendy’s quest inspires her to reevaluate her own life and priorities.

Compelling characters, a strong historical backdrop and vivid prose make for a rewarding reading experience. The author deftly weaves past and present timelines into an engaging narrative that flows well. I enjoyed the 1918 timeline more and though I enjoyed following Wendy’s research in 1987, I wish the narrative had followed Jessie a little longer in her timeline. However, I did like how the author brings everything together in the end.

I loved the author’s The Paris Library and was eagerly looking forward to reading her latest offering, and I’m happy to say that I was not disappointed. Well-researched and informative, this is an exceptional work of historical fiction that I would not hesitate to recommend. I always enjoy historical fiction from which I can learn something new. I appreciate the author’s effort to highlight the contribution of this group of women in WWI. I loved Jessie’s story and was inspired to read more about her and the other real characters featured in this story. Do read the Author’s Note wherein she shares details of the people, places and events that inspired this work of historical fiction.

Many thanks to Atria Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This book details the lives of the CARDS - American women, who during WWI, volunteered near the front in France to lend aid, medical help, and supplies to the local villages. Run the “the two Annes” - Anne Morgan, youngest daughter of millionaire J.P. Morgan, and Anne Murray Diker, M.D., they helped organize the relief aid, run out of Blerancourt. We follow the story of Jessie “Kit” Carson, who was recruited to establish a library. Most of the houses and farms have been decimated, so she first must gain the villagers’ trust before they will accept any kind of aid. Trying to bring a bit of normalcy back to the children, she stands her ground that the library is needed, even though the houses there need repair as well. Only 40 miles from the front, it is impossible to imagine what these women went through - and as if the war wasn’t bad enough, there was the Spanish Flu that ran rampant and took some of the villagers and volunteers. With the end of the war, many could have left to return home, but many of them - including Kit - stayed. She had the ingenious idea of repurposing ambulances into bookmobiles. Several novel ideas with that - bringing books to the masses that they could check out for 2 weeks, open shelves where you could peruse the books, and everyone was welcome at the actual library.

In the 1980’s, Wendy Peterson works at the NYPL and aspires to be a writer. None of her chapters of her story have hit the mark with her professor, and when she finds the story of the CARDS, she knows she must tell Kit’s story. It’s very satisfying how the author weaves the past with the present. Absolutely loved this book - I learned so much, which is why I love historical fiction. Be sure and read the author’s notes at the end - these were based on real women. Also, she talks about the “Red Zone” - over 460 square miles in France where to this day nothing lives, and it’s too dangerous to safely clear the area for habitation by anything. I had absolutely no idea about this or about the CARDS - very brave women! Out now, and I highly recommend! Thanks to NetGallley and Atria publishing for an ARC of this book; all opinions are my own.

Loved the story! The parts in the past were great to read. The parts from the 80's were not very good. I'm so glad I got to read about these wonderful women from WWI!

When I read the synopsis of this book, I was immediately intrigued. I aboslutely loved learning about Jessie Carson (nicknamed Kit) and her work as a CARD, bringing books to French citizens near the front lines in WWI, training librarians, and setting up libraries.. It was just so fascinating. I was drawn in initially by the present-day timeline with Wendy, but that didn't hold my interest quite as much--but that could be because Wendy was fictional whereas the CARDS were real people, and it's always a pleasure to learn more about the contributions of real historical figures. At the same time, I think there could easily have been an entire story about Kit and the CARDS, but I can't say the same for Wendy's storyline. I also think the sexual content could have been left out. All in all, I loved the historical storyline but for more conservative readers, this might not be the best pick. For those not bothered by content, this book as a lot to offer.

I read a DRC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

What a great story of adventurous women during WWI in France. Working 40 miles from the front, this group, American Committee for Devastated France (CARDS) helped French families rebuild their homes and lives. The group was founded by JP Morgan's daughter Anne Morgan and other international women. But it's the story of Jessie Carson, a New York City librarian who is "loaned" to this group for 2 years much like a library book. It's the real life comments of Jessie who is a single working woman and the society women who are now her work mates that make this book such a terrific historical fiction read. The love of books and life propel this story of courageous and wonderful women. Thank you to Janet Skeslien Charles not only for a well written book but for bringing forth the story of these women, they are not forgotten.

This book is a delight – A historical fiction book based on the true-story of CARD and World War One-librarian, Jessie Carson. It is filled with literary references and WW1 women’s historical facts. Historical fiction fans will love this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for an advanced copy in exchange for a fair review.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the gifted early copy of the book.

This is a book about books and libraries and a book within a book. All the hot now concepts were set during WWI in France.
I loved the idea and the message the author tried to deliver, I understood the point and think this is an important read. However, it was not my favorite in terms of storytelling. I felt that the characters were undeveloped and I had nothing out of the "present" timeline in NYC. The parts set in France were mostly 5 stars for me and the parts in NYC were boring and just so cringe, that I took nothing out of them.

This had some dark themes and descriptions of war that made my heart ache, but overall I would say this is a great book to read in the summer by the pool. It will make you believe in good and the power of books.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles was based on the true story of Jessie "Kit" Carson and her work for CARD (American Committee for Devastated France). She starts children's libraries and trains female librarians during WWI. This book is for fans of books and libraries, dual timelines, and strong women. Highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced digital copy of the book.

Enjoyable enough, but predictable and formulaic women’s historical fiction.

This is fine from an entertainment and readability standpoint, but don’t expect anything on par with Janet Skeslien Charles’ previous work.

I really loved Moonlight in Odessa, which was a truly unique read, beautifully written, and intriguing from start to finish. The Paris Library felt more formulaic and genre-typical, but it was still an unusually well-written and compelling story in a genre that tends to be pretty repetitive.

This one is less well-executed, and though Jessie “Kit” Carson has an interesting tale to tell, this isn’t a great rendition of it. The modern timeline feels like it’s only there for form’s sake, and it doesn’t add anything to a story that already feels very similar to a lot of other WWI romance-adjacent women’s historical fiction.

I respect that it’s a tough genre to do anything truly new with (especially if you’re focusing on WWI or WWII) because it’s so saturated, but maybe that’s a sign that the genre and its authors need to move a bit more outside their comfort zone.

Skeslien Charles is far too good a writer and too inventive with her character work to fall victim to this, so I’m going to assume this was a one off and that her next book will be as wonderful as her first two. But if you’re looking for something that doesn’t feel like you’ve read it in some form dozens of times already, skip this one and read Moonlight in Odessa instead.

I love historical fiction because I always learn something new while enjoying my favorite hobby. Not only did I not know about these women keeping libraries and reading alive during the rebuilding of France after WWI, neither did the author until she was researching to write “The Paris Library” (a 5-star read for me). I’m glad their story is getting out, even if it is fictionalized. I loved the characters and storyline but overall, the book fell flat for me. I think there needed to be more depth to it. I still recommend it, it’s just not as good as her other book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the complimentary copy of this book. As always, the opinions expressed within this review are completely my own.

What a beautifully written and uplifting story about the amazing and almost-lost-to-history heroine, Jessie Carson. While weaving stories of two places and timelines - World War I France and 1987 New York City, author Janet Skeslien Charles has written an informative and captivating story about this defender of everyone's right for access to the written word.

This was a beautiful tale of the staff, volunteers and patrons of the American Committee for Devastated France during World War I, headed up by Anne Morgan, J.P.'s daughter. Juxtaposed against that is the later tale of a young New York writer looking for material to write a captivating story for her writing class. Her friend stumbles across some clippings about a former New York Public Library, Jessie Carson, who receives a commission to serve French villages devastated by the German occupation earlier on in the Great War. Specifically, Ms. Carson plans on introducing children's libraries to alleviate the angst of young children and offer them worlds into which they can disappear and cope when reality is more horrifying than one should have to bear.

This is also a story of love, hope, and anticipation. There are several relationships woven throughout the story: parents and their children, siblings, young couples, friends, and colleagues. Ms. Charles' writing is highly descriptive and exquisitely delivered. The mise en scène is spot on. One hears the roar of Big Bertha at the not so distant battlefield, smells the acrid odor of spent munitions and tastes the unsatisfying cup of coffee with its added chicory. Ms. Charles' extensive historical research was obvious in the story's delivery. This is a lovely book for fans of historical fiction and the written word.

I am grateful to Atria Books for having provided a complimentary e-book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher:‎ Atria Books
Publication Date: April 30, 2024
No. of pages:‎ 336
ISBN:‎ 978-1668008980

MISS MORGAN'S BOOK BRIGADE is based on the the true story of American Librarian Jessie "Kit" Carson and is told in dual timelines, slowly unfurling the history of the New York librarian whose bookmobiles made such an impact in France.

The history of Kit Carson and the CARDs in France is fascinating and well-told in this novel. Having grown up in a rural area served by our library's Bookmobile, the history of bookmobiles has a special place for me, and I was touched by this story and the amazing work these women did during the Great War.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

This was a well written and well researched historical fiction. I loved reading about the females making a difference in France during the war. The friendships they made and the way they helped people made me love them. I enjoyed the alternating timelines and seeing the characters being discovered and being given credit. I love books about books and the library was a fun setting. I learned about something I wasn’t familiar with before. Thanks NetGalley for the arc for review.

While parts of this book moved very slowly for me, overall it was good. These brave women who volunteered to go to France and help in whatever way they could, were heroic. I got a clearer picture of how devastated it was after the war. No homes, no schools, no food, no seeds to plant crops. It is historical fiction, but well researched. It just didn't flow for me. Though it wasn't my style of writing, I think if you know nothing about this time in France, you would enjoy it. Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read the ARC.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Oh, how I loved this book. I could have read this in 2 days but purposely read it slow to savor the characters.

I don't normally read much WW1 related content but loved how the author made me feel like I was there in France with them. I like how they tied the present day to the past. Especially at the end. Since almost anyone who lived in that time is gone, it is so important to keep stories like this alive. People did amazing things during the war just for the greater good of humanity.

As a booklover it’s always fun for me to read books about librarians. The love for books and their importance in the lives of children was the best part of this book. Also reading about the history of the CARDS and their work in France during the Great War was eye opening. I enjoyed this historical fiction about the women who helped rebuild France while putting themselves in the midst of the danger.

“Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade” is a historical fiction book by Janet Skeslien Charles. In this book, told in two timelines, we follow Jessie - a librarian in France during the Great War - and Wendy - a librarian in 1987. I found the sections regarding Jessie’s timeline well researched and very interesting. I found the 1987 timeline less interesting, but a pretty good conclusion to Jessie’s storyline. Do read the author’s note - more information about CARD and the people mentioned in the Great War timeline. What I wasn’t so thrilled by was the pacing (very slow at times), the romance in the 1987 timeline (was it really necessary?), and that I didn’t connect much with the characters (at times Jessie seemed more in her 20s opposed to being 40). I think that if you like WWI historical books, like books about books/librarians, and like strong women characters, this may be a book you’d like to pick up.

Enjoyed this immensely, captivating historical fiction novel. I loved the dual storytelling of the courageous women.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own