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

This was a lovely historical fiction novel. I really loved learning about the work of the women in France. I found myself more drawn to Kit's story in the past. Any time the story moved back and forth, I found myself wanting to stay with Kit. Overall, this is a great book for any historical fiction fan, especially someone who loves books about books.

Thank you to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster Publishing for an early copy of Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles

Readers will quickly become engrossed in the lives of a multi-faceted group of women named CARDS as they struggle to bring a sense of normalcy to a war-torn area of France during World War I. While the focus of this narrative is real-life American librarian Jessie Carson, several additional characters such as nurse Mary Breckenridge and Anna Morgan, daughter of J. P Morgan, add to an extraordinary story of selflessness and sacrifice as they work to provide library access and story time for children devastated by the Great War.

Told through the structure of two timelines, 1987 New York Public Library employee and would-be author, Wendy Peterson, discovers newsletters in the archives written by the CARDS during the war years. Peterson focuses her efforts on learning about the elusive Jessie Carson who had been employed at the NYPL so many years before. With the aid of a co-worker, the story begins to unravel, and Wendy meets an elderly woman, Marcelle, who fills in the gaps and makes it possible for Peterson to write the CARDS' incredible story.

Author Janet Skelien Charles includes many references to a multitude of children's and adult works that include Anne of Green Gables, the Adventures of Tom Sawyer (which captivates her young audience when she reads the scene of painting the fence with youngsters) along with Howard's End and The Call of the Wild. Book lovers are sure to enjoy the connections.

The careful research and dedication to sharing the lives of these incredible women at such a tragic time in history assures Charles's place in the storytelling realm. She offers additional reading at the conclusion of the book for all those eager to learn even more.

I would give this book a ten star rating for a great story and the history behind it. I am so impressed with the writing and the descriptions of the horror that the Cards went through. I feel that this is a book that many would enjoy.

I adored this book!!! MISS MORGAN’S BOOK BRIGADE by Janet Skeslien Charles is based on the true story of Jessie “Kit” Carson, a pioneering children’s librarian in France during The Great War.

There are two separate timelines featuring strong female protagonists; -In 1918.. salaried NYPL librarian Jessie Carson, millionaire Anne Morgan (JP Morgan’s daughter), and the international group of women volunteers known as the CARD’s (American Committee of Devastated France). The novel moves forward to Wendy Peterson in 1987, an aspiring writer and a researcher at the NYPL, who stumbles upon an article about Carson. It fascinates her so much she wants to write a book about Carson and her CARD sisters.

Though there were sad moments this has a profoundly positive storyline, and is unique in that it tells the little known story about Carson + women CARD volunteers in France of which I’d never heard of until now. It’s heartening how these women were put in such close proximity to the front lines helping evacuate civilians, tending to soldiers wounds, and being emotionally there for them. I enjoyed learning about Carson’s interesting life of activism and heroism - - and the close relationships between CARD members and the civilians in the town of Blerancourt. Amazing that how (after the war) Carson thought to turn ambulances into bookmobiles and also taught women to be librarians (which was completely unheard of in France at that time). The author also includes fascinating notes and pictures of her research. 4.5 stars — Pub. 4/30/24

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I haven't read to many WW1 books but do love a good book set in a library. What better place right.

This book is based on a real person. It's beautifully written. I love a book that attacks my heart and draws me right in. This one did that.

I'll look for more by this author. Heartfelt. Heartbreaking.

Thank you #NetGalley, #Atria, for this ARC. This is my honest opinion of this book.

Five huge stars.

Books are bridges, they show how we are connected.

After enjoying The Paris Library, I jumped at the chance to read Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade. This book was right up my alley, France, books, and strong female characters. Loved it! Janet Skeslein Charles has once again delivered a well researched story based on real characters who volunteer to help in devastated France. The novel is a tribute to these brave and independent women and the power of books.

The use of books (Anne of Avonale and My Antonio) for quotes and themes was really enjoyable.

Thanks Net Galley and Atria books for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles

This book is based on the true story of Jessie “Kit” Carson, who travels to France in 1918 to join the CARDS, an organization of women dedicated to helping the devastated French people. Jessie’s job was to set up libraries to encourage the women and children of the French countryside.

The dual storyline also follows a NYPL librarian and aspiring writer in 1987 who has discovered Jessie’s story and wants to bring it to life. She meets one of Jessie’s assistants and learns the rest of the story.

Both sets of characters are realistic, strong and grew through difficult circumstances. They made different choices than I would have and the author included a few scenes that I would have preferred not to read.

But overall, I enjoyed the book. I am grateful to the publisher for the arc in exchange for this, my honest opinion.

I don't think I have the words to explain how much I loved this book. The author balanced the two timelines perfectly and I enjoyed both equally. The fact that this is a book about a lesser known peice of history made it that much better. Great book

What a journey! "Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade" tells the riveting tale of a group of courageous women striving to change the world amidst the war-torn landscapes of France during the Great War. The narrative is paralleled by the journey of an aspiring author, desperately searching for the story she is destined to write.

This historical fiction novel captivates with its lifelike characters who mirror their real-life historical counterparts. The author expertly interweaves two timelines, creating seamless transitions that leave the reader in anticipation at the end of each chapter.

This engrossing journey, rich with historical context, is a must-read for fans of the genre. The dynamic characters and compelling plot twists ensure a captivating read from start to finish.

DNF @ 15%. I don't know why, but I just could not get into this story. I loved the premise, I love the stories of strong women kicking ass during wartime, and this was SUCH an interesting story to be told. For whatever reason, I just couldn't get into it. I wouldn't say I would never pick it up again, I absolutely will, but right now it wasn't hitting the spot.
Our main character was strong and well written, I could feel her passion leaping off the pages, and I loved that she was strong enough to stand up for herself, but not without some doubts still being in her mind. She was very believable.
This is a book I would pick up on audiobook, but I would be reaching for other stories on my TBR to physically read.

A wonderful, riveting read and I am impressed the author spent a full decade on research—her care and attention to detail shows!

I recommend Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy reading!

Children’s librarian Jessie Carson wants to do her part during the Great War. When she’s selected to work for The American Committee for Devastated France she cannot pass up the opportunity to head to France and work with Anne Morgan and Anne Murray Dike, two of the most impressive women during the war. What greets Jessie is a French village in shambles and villagers who have lost everything. The only hope Jessie can bring to the devastation is books and the escapism of stories. Fast forward to the late 1980’s and librarian Wendy Peterson comes across the special women of CARD and Jessie’s story. Determined to make sure their impact on history is not forgotten, Wendy writes down their story.

The sad truth is there are a lot of unknown war stories we never grow up learning about, specifically the silent power and resilience of women during these times. This book is a golden example of why I love historical fiction, because learning can be entertaining and insightful. What wonderful stories!

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles was a fascinating book and biography about the Cards. A very interesting story about the undertaking and the research to find out about their lives.