Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles was a historical fiction novel that focused on Jessie Carson, an NYPL librarian who went to France during WWI to help with the American Committee for Devastated France which was started by millionaire Anne Morgan. The novel has a dual timeline set up which also has a storyline in 1987 where an NYPL librarian and aspiring writer discovers references to Jessie Carson and goes on a deep dive to learn more about her.

I loved the premise of this book as a librarian myself and historical fiction fan, but the execution wasn't right for me. There were parts I felt moved too slow and wanted more details and closure from others. Definitely an interesting read, but did not live up to the potential for me.

April might now be over, but the final release day of the month delivered some bangers — one being MISS MORGAN’S BOOK BRIGADE. Bouncing between France during the Great War and New York in the late 1980s, this novel tells the story of Jessie ‘Kit’ Carson, a real-life NYPL librarian who volunteered to join a group of women (headed by Anne Morgan, daughter of J. P. Morgan) working to rebuild a devastated France and introduced the idea of children’s libraries to the region.

Much like with 2021’s THE PARIS LIBRARY (also featuring real historical figures), I couldn’t look away. In the 80s Wendy became fascinated by this group of women, especially Jessie, and went on an obsessive search through the NYPL archives hoping to find any mention, any reference to what became of them after the war. I was right there with Wendy! These women were stationed just miles from the front — bombs, landmines, chance encounters with enemy soldiers — this was part of their everyday lives…and yet I had never heard of them (or their group, CARD) before.

What I’ve come to love so much about Janet’s work is that one timeline doesn’t suffer for the other. She fully fleshes out both sides and characters; at no point did I find myself skimming one section to get back to another time period. I lived and breathed every page.

One thing I want to stress: DO NOT skip the author’s note!! It’s every bit as excellent as the book itself with mini bios of the women and photos! It made my history-loving heart sing! I’m thrilled I had the chance to read MISS MORGAN’S BOOK BRIGADE and highly recommend it — there’s action, swoony romances, badass woman from history, and so many references to books and authors and quotes. Truly a joy to read!

A wonderful dual timeline historical fiction novel about Jessie "Kit" Carson, an assistant librarian at the New York Public Library (NYPL) in 1918, who travels to WWI war torn France to help rebuild war-torn communities through children's libraries. Funded through an organization called CARD, backed by Anne Morgan (daughter of JP Morgan), Jessie Carson created a network of bookmobiles and ultimately a model for libraries (with dedicated children's sections) throughout France. Her story is uncovered by Wendy Peterson 70 years later, an aspiring writer and part time researcher at the very same NYPL, Jessie Carson's story becomes the inspiration for Wendy to find herself and carve out an independent career that involves writing, historical research about the CARDs, French culture, and love.

Similar to the author's prior novel, The Paris Library (about the WWII heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris), this story is also a love letter to treasured books. There are numerous passages where the French families trying to pick up the pieces of their lives, homes, farms and communities demolished by the Germans, found little moments of peace and escape through literature. Lastly, do not miss the Author's Note at the end which provides detailed profiles of the brave women who inspired this story. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the Arc in exchange for my honest review.

Based on a real person and her time in France during World War I. I never knew about this organization to bring books to War torn France. I don’t think many people would have thought about the importance of been able to read a book to escape the reality of horror and loss considering the shortage of food and other basic needs.
We see children way more mature than their age recovering bit of their lost childhood and been able to forget about what is going on by losing themselves in the wonderful world of books.
We really have two story lines. The original one in 1918 and the second one in 1987 following a young woman working in the New York public library who after finding a snippet about CARD is determined to get more information of the group in 1918 in France and what happened to them afterwards.
Be ready to get a bit sentimental while reading and the need for a handkerchief.
Make sure after finishing the book you read the author’s note providing lots of information about the history of the librarians in France. I highly recommend this book.

This historical fiction novel is based on the true story of an American librarian, Jessie “Kit” Carson, who joined the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD) and traveled to France during WW1 and revolutionized French libraries. This incredibly well researched novel tells the story of women who made a historical impact and the importance of books for everyone regardless of age or status. The novel is told using dual timelines when Kit was in France 1917-1924 during and after the Great War and in 1987 when Wendy, an NYPL employee and aspiring writer, begins research on the Cards. Wendy states “History books don’t tell the half of it. Especially where women are concerned.” I preferred Kit’s war time storyline to Wendy’s more modern storyline line which includes a somewhat rushed romance. I will be recommending this to my historical fiction loving friends.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

An homage to librarians, this novel based on the true story of Jessie Carson, recruited to serve with the American Committee for Devastated France in 1917, highlights how sharing the love of reading changes the lives of children and families. The abbreviation for the group in French is CARD, so the women called themselves Cards. Jessie’s courage to leave the New York Public Library and serve in France is captivating.

Readers sink into the 1918 war zone through descriptions of the devastation and mindboggling courage of the Cards. Charles captures the haunting aura of the demolished castle in Blérancourt, now CARD headquarters, along with breathtaking accounts of Cards navigating minefields, searching for orphaned children hiding in caves, and rebuilding bombed villages. The bonds of respect forged between the millionaire Anne Morgan, Anne Murray Dike, “Kit” Carson and “Brecki” create the undying support needed for families and businesses to return to Blérancourt at the end of the war. The adoption of separated pets, socials for soldiers, and creative puns; calling Cards or my favorite, report Cards, lighten the novel’s somber mood as villagers are extended a lifeline through mobile libraries and books.

The dual timeline Charles maps into the plot routes readers back to the New York Public Library in 1987. She creates tension down in the Remembrance Department between aspiring writer Wendy Peterson and fellow librarian Roberto as they comb through microfiche; older readers will know this antiquated technology. Charles laces their long hours of research with flirty banter and catchy Jeopardy questions as readers root for Wendy’s writing career. Wendy endures condescending Professor Hill, a well-drawn, extremely maddening, unlikeable character, and determines to find the elusive Jessie Carson.

I highly recommend this impressive novel and my favorite section, the Author’s note, filled with the history of librarians in France during World War I. Janet Skeslien Charles reminds us “books are a lifeline.” 

Use your library Card and check it out!

I really enjoyed Janet Skeslien Charles' last book The Paris Library and was excited to read her next historical fiction novel. It did not disappoint! Through dual timelines, it offers a unique look at the little-known American Committee for Devastated France (CARD) founded by JP Morgan's daughter Anne.

In 1918, Jessie "Kit" Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library to work for the CARDs in northern France. In 1987, NYPL librarian and aspiring writer Wendy Peterson stumbles across a passing reference to Jessie Carson in the archives, she becomes consumed with learning her fate. When Jessie arrives in France, she is tasked with establishing a children’s library for the devastated rural community. She turns ambulances into bookmobiles and trains the first French female librarians.

There is plenty of book discussion - both adult and children's books - that make this story a fun journey for any book lover. Books offer a pathway to healing and as a balm for loss. But the CARDs are tasked with so much more and Jessie learns to shed her insecurities as she witnesses the devastation of war and the aftereffects of the German retreat on the small community and its people.

I loved the female friendships portrayed in the 1918 timeline between Jessie and fellow CARDs Breckie, Lewis and Marcella as well as the indomitable Anne Morgan. This storyline was more interesting to me than Wendy's role in uncovering Jessie's story. The NYPL setting in the archives and Wendy's efforts to write a story on the CARD's contributions in wartime were inspiring but the romance angle was a bit flat for me.

Overall, another great piece of historical fiction, however. And the author's notes are not to be missed as Charles provides additional detail on many of these very real women.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is based on the true story of Jessie Carson, a children’s librarian at the New York Public Library.  Jessie’s story unfolds in this dual timeline, dual voice novel as current day library employee, Wendy Peterson, works on preserving documents about the (primarily socialite) women who enlisted in the CARD program to aid French villages in rebuilding after WWI. The story is obviously well researched.  Charles brought to life the French villagers and the little-known women who volunteered for the CARD program.  I love that I learned something new from this book and that it inspired me to do more reading on the topic. Equally enjoyable were the many references to and quotes from literature. 

Jessie Carson was a librarian who shared books with the children of war-torn France at the end of WWI as part of the CARD (American Committee for Devastated France) project. Her story is told primarily from her point of view (via documents Wendy is preserving).  Wendy adds to Jessie’s story through her dedicated research and desire to reveal the CARD story.  I found Wendy to be slightly less developed and saw the character’s role as mainly presenting the CARD and Jessie Carson’s story. While both worked at a library and were quiet introverts, the similarities stop there. 

In Charles’ captivating and enlightening book, she shines a light on the power of reading and shared books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Miss Morgan’s book Brigade
By: Janet Skeslien Charles
Publisher: Atria
Pub Date 4/30/24
Jessie Kit Carson is a librarian at the NYC public library in 1918. She has just been recruited to join Ann Morgan and the CARDS in France during WWI. Ann being the daughter of JP Morgan is very wealthy and is paying Jessie to be there. It’s Jessie’s job to establish a library there when she arrives. Once she’s up and running she creates bookmobiles and adds story time for kids.
Wendy Peterson a writer who also works at the NYC public library but 70 years later. While scanning old records she finds an article about Jessie and the CARDS. She keeps digging for more information and ends up writing a book about them.
This book is a true story. After finishing the book I started reading about Jessie Carson. She and other librarians from New York Public Library took a leave of absence to help set up libraries again after the war.
Thanks to Janet Skelton Charles, Atria and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles is another phenomenal historical fiction piece.
Woah! I was so excited for another historical fiction from Janet Skeslien Charles.
This is such a fantastic book that got me hooked from the very beginning.
This is a fascinating and illuminating glimpse of World War I history.
Very well written that you get sucked into the story and just forget all your plans for the day because you just can't stop reading.
This story captured me, entertained me, and inspired me.
A story of resilience of the human spirit, the power of literature, and ultimately the courage it takes to make a change.

Thank You NetGalley and Atria Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Ugh, this book! All the feels! I'm on an emotional roller-coaster!

I loved Janet Skeslien Charles's The Paris Library, so I was so excited to hear about this book, and couldn't wait to get my hands on it!

Right from the beginning, it drew me in. I love dual timelines, especially when one of them is in the 1980s. Totally rad!

There's an American librarian, Jessie Carson (based on a real person!), who goes to the North of France during the Great War (WWI) to help with everything from books to chickens, and an archivist for the New York Public Library in the 1980s who discovers her and is dying to know what happened.

Even though this book is set during wartime, and terrible things are happening, it is so full of hope. I love how books are used as a healing balm for loss. There are, of course, heart-rending moments in this book, but also a lot of heartwarming moments.

Bonus points for mentioning my childhood favorite: Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery.

Thank you to Atria Books for proving me a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I love learning new historical facts in my fiction reads and I learned a lot from Miss Morgan's Book Brigade. Told in 2 time lines, Jessie Carson in 1918 and Wendy Peterson in 1987. Jessie is recruited to the CARD program to help French people during WWI, she had been a New York Public Librarian and she went to France to help rebuild libraries and bring books to people who lives had been devastated by the German occupation.

Most of the women who were part of the Card program came from wealthy families (the title character is the daughter of J.P Morgan) but there were a couple like Jessie whose expenses and salary were paid by Card. Along with the library, the women took care of medical needs, agricultural help and even helped evacuate the area when the Germans were coming back.

Wendy worked at the NYPL and was a budding writer. When she came across information about Card in the archives she was intrigued and thought it would make a great story. She began researching the people and organization along with Roberto, a fellow NYPL employee.

Don't miss the Author's notes at the end, its full of information about these women in real life. I really enjoyed this book and learning about these extraordinary women, I know the trend right now with Historical Fiction is to tell it in two timelines but I honestly would have preferred just the WWI timeline and it's focus on the Card women.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is about a group of women in World War 1. Specifically about Jessie "Kit" Carson, who left her job at the New York Library to move to France and start a library near the end of World War 1.
It also has a dual timeline following Wendy in the 80's, also a New York Public Library employee, who comes across some articles on Jessie, and uses her research to write a novel.
The writing was good. The story was good. Personal preference- this just wan't for me. It didn't have enough that grabbed me in and made me excited to keep reading. But I think this novel will be greatly appreciated by many.
I also think the dual timeline was unnecessary and the Wendy timeline didn't add much to the story.
What I did love: How much books were treasured, and the value placed on them. Books are a huge part of my life and really have the ability to be life changing so I appreciated and related to that.
I also loved the talk of some classic books (Especially Anne of Green Gables from this PEI gal).
I think overall this was an okay book, with no major critcisim. But it just wasn't necessarily for me. Although some of my top books are historical fiction, it's not my go-to. Would recommend to any historical fiction fans out there, that want strong female leads, WWI, and a love of books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc. This title is released on April 30.
2.5 stars from me

Fans of The Paris Library will be thrilled by another installment of historical fiction from Janet Skeslien Charles. Set during the World War I, Miss Morgan's Book Brigade follows the work of the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD after the French title for the group). Jessie Carson was one of those who travelled to France. She was working at the New York Public Library under a very unpleasant boss and so the leave of absence brought a welcome respite from tensions at work. She arrived in France with grand ideas of restoring the library and bringing books to those who were hit the hardest. As she slowly got to know the families in the area, she won them over by offering children's story hour. Families were starved for books as most of theirs had been destroyed by invading forces and there was no money for such luxuries any longer. Jessie was instrumental in making over old ambulances to create bookmobile and she traveled the surrounding areas bring books and even more importantly hope and a sense of normalcy that so many were missing.

In a parallel storyline, Wendy Peterson works at the New York Public Librarian in 1987 scanning archived documents. She stumbles across stories about the CARDs and becomes intrigued to learn more. As an aspiring writer, she smells the making of a great story and sneakily reads while working. As she learns more about the CARDs and their courage and bravery, she finds models to follow in her own life.

The book is a well-researched project that brings to light a little-known effort in WWI. It was very inspiring to hear of how the heiress Anne Morgan used her wealth for such a noble cause. CARDs helped with more than one evacuation, provided support and through Jessie Carson, also provided access to books that offered a lifeline during one of the darkest times in French history.

Jessie went on to promote children's libraries within other French cities and trained other women to be librarians. It was an excellent look at the resourcefulness of women in WWI and the sacrifices they made as well. I appreciated that the author had extensive end notes with more information about the historical figures and information on people she had based other characters on.

Note: There were scenes in both story lines that I would consider R-rated. I feel the book would have been even better without those details. Because of this, I would recommend this title for adults.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Miss Morgan's Book Brigade through NetGalley and a print copy through the publisher, Atria Books, for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

I love historical fiction and especially when an author tackles a subject that is not well known. This is what happens here. Miss Morgan is Anne Morgan who during WW1 with her friend, Dr. Anne Murray Dike are working in France 40 miles from the front to help the citizens rebuild. Along the way they are joined by some other wealthy debutantes to help in the effort and they hire Jessie Carson to help with a library. Of course there is a dual time line and if I was just rating Jessie's story it would be a 5 but Wendy's story is only a 3 for me.

Wendy works in the Remembrance Room of the NYPL when Roberto slips her a box of papers about Anne Morgan and the CARDS. She is an aspiring author and this could be her book. I just never connected with Wendy. I felt her background was kind of vague and even her relationship with Roberto felt superficial. While she was doing her research I never felt the eureka moments when she found more information to help her with her book.

But all the emotion missing from Wendy's story was in Jessie's. The sadness they all felt from losses of homes and loved ones, the celebration of love with a wedding and the joy in the children's faces as they heard the stories Jessie brought to them, the fear and terror of working in the hospital.

I would like to thank Atria and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy.

I found this book completely fascinating. I loved learning about this group of women who tried to help devastated rural France during and after World War I. I was shocked to learn about the Red Zone which exists to this day. As a book and library lover, I appreciated the focus on books and the importance of libraries. This was my first book by this author, and I will be sure to read her backlist. She made learning about this period of history very easy by fictionalizing the characters and their stories. My only criticism is that I would have liked to know what happened to the main character, Jessie "Kit" Carson, after she returned to the United States. I assume that the author's extensive research never revealed this. I'm glad that readers will be able to learn about and be inspired by the wonderful work the CARD organization did, I highly recommend this book and look forward to more from the author.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles is a thoughtful novel about the brave women of CARD, who went into devastated northern France from 1918-1924, providing humanitarian aid, medical care and children’s library services.
Charles is a superb storyteller and, through her wonderful descriptive prose, this story gains impact and importance, more than 100 years later.
Told in two timelines, the reader first meets Jessie Carson as she arrives in Blerancourt, France, in 1918, where she joins CARD as a children’s librarian. She works with the group’s founders, Anne Morgan (daughter of wealthy J.P. Morgan) and Dr. Ann Murray Dike. Life for the area’s residents is bleak—the front is less than 40 miles away, the land is barren, and their shelters consist of quarries, caves and partially demolished structures.
The other timeline begins in 1987, when a NY Public Library employee, Wendy, is tasked with preserving historic documents on microfilm. She is inspired to learn more about Jessie and her library activities in WWI France.
While the timelines alternate between then and now, there is more drama and detail in the early 1918 time. As a reader, I could appreciate the exciting, often terrifying, circumstances in the war-torn country. It is amazing how many notable women participated in this effort, putting their lives at risk. There are many notable names, like Mary Breckinridge, “Breckie” to her co-workers, who went on to found the Frontier Nursing Service in Kentucky.
Jessie’s character, as a first-person narrator, is more developed and interesting as the reader is treated to her inner musings and remembrances of quotes from famous novels, showing her imagination, a valuable quality in a children’s librarian. Wendy’s role, in the 1987 timeline, was important as it provided, for Jessie’s story, a bridge to the present as Wendy delved into Jessie’s life and CARD.
This is a well-researched novel which sheds light on subjects—books, libraries, the Great War—which are part of a fascinating chapter in women’s history. If you liked the author’s “The Paris Library,” I believe you also will find this an interesting a look at a different time period.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

I would give this book a million stars. I haven't read The Paris Library yet but have seen it being praised incessantly. Miss Morgan's Book Brigade takes place during the Great War and it's based on a true story. The American Committee for Devastaded France was a group of brave women who risked their lives to help others in need, not only by covering basic needs like food and education, but also hope through books when the world around them is falling apart. It's narrated through two POV's, Jessie "Kit" Carson, a New York Public Library librarian who is recruited during the war, and Wendy Peterson, also a NYPL librarian in the 80's who discovers them and is determined to tell their inspiring story that didn't make it to the history books.

I loved every second of this book. It's very inspiring and shows how helping others can makes us feel fulfilled.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles.

Based on true stories from World War I in France we follow one woman named Jessie Carson with a timeline of 1918 going to France to join a women's relief organization that helps the civilians of a smaller town that is war torn and struggling to just survive. Our other timeline is a library worker from the New York City Library named Wendy in the timeline of 1987 who has found information in the archives about Jessie Carson and the other women who worked so tirelessly in France.

There are so many wonderful things about this book. As always books about books are one of my favorite genres. This book is peppered with Book titles and quotes throughout that enhance the reading experience. All the characters are wonderful. The research by the author is impeccable and so interesting. I had never heard of any of these famous individuals, and how they worked so tirelessly not only for the people of France, but also succeeding in so many areas of our current way of life. I couldn't wait to see how this one ended. I learned so much and really loved the book. Miss Morgan's Book Brigade was a solid 5 star read for me. It will be released on April 30th. Happy reading!

This is a book for library lovers who enjoy historical fiction, literary references and the important roles women played in history.

Set in WWI, this book is an ode to libraries and strong women as it recounts the life of Jessie 'Kit' Carson, a New York City Public librarian who joined CARD (Comité Américain pour les Régions Dévastées de France - American Committee for Devastated France), an international group of women who were rebuilding rural France after WWI. Among her accomplishments, Kit brought bookmobiles to France but the impact she made was lost to history.

The story is told in two time frames - Kit in WWI and Wendy, a writer and library assistant in 1980's NYC who stumbles upon Kit's story and decides to dig into this former NYPL librarian's life.

What I loved:
• well-researched - lots of historical details about what this group of women accomplished and Kit's role in their success
• strong women and their historical impact!! I love how Historical Fiction like this (and that of Canadian author Genevieve Graham) bring the untold stories of women's roles in history to readers. It makes me wonder just how much history we're missing
• seeing Kit's strength grow and her verbal comebacks to those who opposed her were great!

What I didn't quite love:
• slowly paced story that had only minor conflict despite the dangerous WWI setting
• I didn't quite connect with the story or the characters as I had hoped
• the modern timeline felt extraneous even though it does tie in for a nice finish
• the dialogue drove this story and it often felt simplistic and far too rosy of an outlook for such a devastating time
• I had to remind myself that Kit was in her 40's because her demeanor, naivete and dialogue made her sound like a young woman in her 20's.

This was a heartwarming, lighter historical fiction read that connects past to present, shows a woman's journey to find her voice and her strength that illustrates the important role women played in WWI. Make sure you read the author's note about these real-life heroines of WWI.