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.

I wanted to love this one, I really did, but about halfway through it lost steam and I lost interest. I never connected with the characters enough to feel like I wanted to continue. I did enjoy all of the literary references, though. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.

A while back I read a title about the personal librarian of JP Morgan. It delved into the idea of “passing” and was an interesting historical fiction read.
Included in the story was a character from real life, JP Morgan’s daughter, Anne. Anne was portrayed as someone who may have been interested in same sex relationships. Ironically enough; her main relationship was with another woman by the name of Anne.

Honestly, I didn’t make any connection to that previous read when picking up Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade. I saw literary WW1 title by the author of Paris Library, which had hype around its publication. So, I began reading… and discovered the connection.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade’s main character is not Anne, it is Jessie. Or rather; Kit Carson. Her nickname after the infamous adventurer. Set in France during the time of WW1, I was led into a literary story telling a piece of history I previously was not aware of. Learning of the CARDS and the history of libraries in France kept me reading. The main characters love for literature did create a connection. I was alright with the multiple timeframes.

But overall, this story just didn’t work for me. The worldview in many ways did not align with my own. Which is okay. But I felt pushed to agree with the worldview and ideas of the author. And that bothered me. I also felt that the story lost its momentum at times. Overall a three star read that dropped to two stars because of content.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the chance to preview this title.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade tells the story of Jessie (Kit) Carson, a librarian from the New York Public Library, who took a leave of absence from her position in 1918 to help the American Committee for Devastated France, which was founded by Anne Morgan, daughter of JP Morgan. Miss Morgan and her team of women, known as the "CARDs," are in war-torn France during World War I trying to help the citizens of the French countryside rebuild their lives after German occupation.

The book is told in a dual time-line, from Jessie Carson's view point in 1918, and Wendy Peterson, a NYPL researcher and aspiring writer, who comes across the information about Jessie Carson, and becomes fascinated by the story of the CARDs and wants to write about them.

This was a fascinating book, made even more so by the fact that the story of Jessie Carson and Miss Morgan's Brigade is true, written by the same author of The Paris Library! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Reader Copy of this book! Go out and purchase this title now! #MissMorgansBookBrigade #NetGalley

Sometimes a book will capture your mind and your heart; that is exactly what Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles did to me. It is an absolutely wonderful book, filled with wonderful characters and tells the story of the hope, resolve, and courage of the American, Canadian and Great Britain women who joined the Committee for Devastated France, known as CARD to help rebuild northern France after it was devastated by the Germans in World War One. These brave women, led by Anne Morgan, the daughter of American tycoon and financier J. P. Morgan and Dr. Anne Murray Dike, referred to as Dr. M.D., came from all walks of life to help the French rebuild their communities and homes and to clear their land in the hopes of regenerating it and making it productive again.
Miss Morgans's Book Brigade is based on the true story of Jessie " Kit" Carson, an NYC librarian "on loan" to CARD for two years, assigned to the rural community of Blerancourt.. I am tempted to go on and on about this heartwarming and inspiring book, however will simply highly recommend it. It is a welcome relief during these challenging times and tells the story of many unsung " Sheroes." Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Publishing, Atria Books and the author for the opportunity to read and review this terrific book, this review reflects my honest opinion. 5 stars.

I wanted to love this book, but I just could not find myself engaging with it at all. I gave it three chapters before I had to throw in the towel, and it took days to get through those chapters.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles is a book in two timelines recounting the time spent in WWI France by young American women at the behest of Anne Morgan, daughter of industrialist JP Morgan. It focuses on CARD, the acronym coming from their French title. It’s main thrust was the time of Jessie “Kit” Carson, one of the few paid staff, the bulk being rich society women paying their own ways. Kit was a librarian for the New York Public Library and came to France to be a librarian. She ended up doing myriad other things as well but established the first accessible public library in France as well as the first children’s library. She is a character pulled from history as are many of the women described in the book. The second character/timeline is Wendy Peterson who works in the basement putting the collections of the NYPL onto microfilm. She comes across the newsletters of CARD and is immediately enthralled. She is a graduate student in writing and promises herself that she will turn their story into a book, so with the research she had and that which she works to obtain, she does just that.

Kit was an amazing character who went to France not knowing what to expect and came out of it with a wealth of knowledge, both practical and emotional. She not only read to the children, but she refurbished, with help, what had previously been the village’s library. She migrated with them when the Germans came too close. She performed as a nurse when that was what was needed. She helped turn old ambulances into bookmobiles that served 160 villages in France. She was a determined and intelligent woman. Charles caught her character and made it into a refreshing novel, which touches on one of many small miracles that happen during war. She also caught the characters of many little people who were harmed by the war. She and her comrades, along with so many others, were unsung heroes and I appreciate that Janet Skeslien Charles has brought this story forward. I was well-researched and well-written and everyone should read it.

I was invited to read Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Atria Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #AtriaBooks #JanetSkeslienCharles #MissMorgansBookBrigade