Historical fiction at it's best. This book is so well researched and it shows. It is the story of Jessie "Kit" Carson and her work with CARD (The American Committee for Devastated France). Her story takes place in 1918 during WWI. It is also the story of Wendy Peterson a hopeful writer who accidentally finds documents about CARD and decides to write about it to impress her Professor. Her story takes place in 1987. The book is written in the two timelines. Both Jessie and Wendy worked at the NYPL. Wendy used that resource and several others to try to find information on Carson. She flew under the radar but I honestly don't understand how. Kit Carson and they called her in France loves books and the power of books to enlighten the spirit and hearts of individuals. She is about 40 miles from the front line during WWI and still she finds a way to get books to the children, many of who are missing a father that was killed in the war. She rebuilds the local library and makes it a comfortable place to come and find some peace. Kit's card people become her family and life lone friends. There is heartbreak (it is during a war) and Kit helps out with nursing some casualties of war when needed. It amazed me how strong and resilient the women of CARD were. The book is very well written and the two timelines complimented the story. The characters from 1918 are real with maybe names changed. The author goes over that at the end of the book. Wendy Peterson is fictional or maybe she is based on Jane Skeslien Charles!!
Thanks to #netgalley, #atriabooks and @jskesliencharles for an ARC of this great read.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles is based on a true story of Jessie “Kit” Carson, an American librarian who worked in a war zone to bring books to the people. In January 1918, as the Great War rages on, Jessie Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library and works for the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD). Founded by Anne Morgan, the daughter of JP Morgan, this group helped rebuild the war torn French communities along the battlefront. When Jessie arrives, she creates children’s libraries. Turning ambulances into bookmobiles and trains French women as librarians. Then she disappears. Sixty-nine years later, in 1987, Wendy Peterson, a NYPL librarian and aspiring writer, stumbled across Jessie Carson’s name in the archives. With only a passing reference, Wendy becomes obsessed with discovering more about the elusive librarian. Is she prepared for what her search will reveal?
I loved Jane Skeslien Charles’s The Paris Library and could not wait to read another adventure of the importance of books and community, even in war time. It is a story about the resilience of the human spirit to survive and rebuild. It is a story of inspiration and courage. I loved that Jessie felt the call to join CARD and leave her safe home for a war zone. I also loved that she did not let disappointment discourage her from doing what she set out to do. She was a librarian and was going to bring books back to the community. I also loved Wendy’s dedication to find out Jessie’s story and tell the world about her. This story is well researched and I enjoyed the author’s notes at the end about the real life individuals. If you enjoy stories about WWI and books, I recommend Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade will be available
in hardcover, eBook and audiobook April 30, 2024

4 dual storyline WWI story

Here is a dual storyline that works! I sometimes find this writing technique leaves me wanting more from a book, but this time I loved it. It was also nice to have a book set during WWI rather than WWII.

The more prominent storyline places us in war-torn France and teaches me some things I never knew. Anne Morgan (of that Morgan family) founded a group called the American Committee for Devastated France (or CARD) that did some amazing work. They helped rebuild France and worked close to the front lines.

The main character in this timeline is Jessie Carson. She was a New York Public Library librarian who ultimately made positive changes to libraries in France. Jessie restarted the local library, especially for children's books. The CARD volunteers were resilient, inspirational, and very committed to helping France. When ambulances were no longer needed, Jessie converted them to bookmobiles and took books to neighboring towns.

The more contemporary storyline also features a librarian at the New York Public Library. Wendy works on digitizing archives and stumbles across CARD. She becomes enthralled with the group and digs to find more information on it and its members, including, eventually, what happened to Jessie.

4.5 stars

Another fascinating historical fiction read by the author of The Paris Library. Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is one of the May 2024 Indie Next Reads!

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade tells the story of the real-life Jessie Carson, an American librarian who was part of the little-known American Committee for Devastated France (CARD) during WWI. Jessie went to a small town in France in 1918, just forty miles from the war front, to help devastated families rebuild their lives after the German army retreated and left destruction in its wake.

As her fellow CARD members worked with the French citizens to rebuild the town, Jessie tirelessly worked to create a library to spread hope and build a sense of community through the power of reading. It was so interesting to read how she led the setting up of children’s libraries and used ambulances as bookmobiles, all this while war raged on not far away, and as she faced her own challenges and self-doubt. I enjoyed the many references to well-known and beloved novels and it was heartwarming to see the joy that reading brought to the kids and adults alike and how books helped to connect people, provide solace, and form friendships.

The story was told in two timelines and two points of view: Jessie’s in 1918 and Wendy’s, a young librarian and aspiring writer from the New York Public Library, who in 1987, unearthed the unknown story of Jessie and the CARDs. The two storylines showed many similarities between these women and the plot elements eventually came together in a poignant ending. The only thing I would have liked to have seen was’ more of Jessie’s backstory before she went to France.

I enjoyed this book for so many reasons: its good pacing, interesting characters, the vivid setting, and the author’s easy writing style. Moreover, stories like these which inform and bring formerly unknown women to life are why I love to read historical fiction. Add to that a story about a courageous librarian and the enduring power of books and reading, and this one was definitely a winner for me. Highly recommend!

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

You just know the book is going to be good when it has books in the title. It was an interesting story.
Books are always important especially during difficult times. I liked Kit and her desire to bring books to
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I absolutely love books where I learn something new. In this historical fiction novel we learn about the history of the Cards, (American Committee for Devastated France), a group of strong women who brought relief to the French civilians during World War I. Told in a dual timeline format, we learn about Jessie “Kit” Carson and how she used her love of books and reading to nourish the devastated civilians and soldiers in France. We flip back and forth between Jessie’s story during the war and 1987 when Wendy, an employees of NYC Public Library seeks to research more about Jessie in hopes of writing a book. You can clearly tell the author did detailed research in preparation for the novel based on true events. I was drawn into the characters lives and am sad the story is over. This book is for all the book lovers whose lives have been changed by opening a book. It reminded me that during difficult times we always have the books in our minds to help us through.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade was based on a true story of a group of female librarians in France during the war. It was eye opening how these women helped so many people during the war in so many ways. The story was told from WW1 and 1987 and the author weaved the stories together well. The love of books and how literature brings us together is a theme of the book which I enjoyed very much.
I recommend this book for book lovers who enjoy historical fiction and compelling stories about women and their contributions to all aspects of life.

Thank you Net Galley, Janet Skeslien Charles and Atria Books for the opportunity to preview this novel. The ideas shared are my own.

1918 during the Great War, Anne Morgan, daughter of JP Morgan, started a group called the CARDS from French it stands for: Committee American Regions Devastated, or to make sense - American Committee for Devastated France). She recruited Jesse "Kit" Carson to take a leave of absence from her position at the NY Public Library to go to France. From there Kit helped to establish children's libraries which were new to the French, as well as help care for children who were in need of food and medical care.

1987 NYPublic Librarian Wendy Peterson comes across Kit Carson and begins to research and learn more about Kit's work.

The history is interesting and I find these women incredibly brave to do this during a war, and are trailblazers for their work. Overall, the story didn't really grip me, but I will still want to read more books from Janet Skeslien Charles. I really enjoyed The Paris Library!

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade brings to life the oft-forgotten work of the CARDs—a group of American women braving the ongoing devastation of war-torn France to help its people rebuild, even as the Great War wages around them.
Told in split time, the 1918 narrative follows the life of librarian Jessie Carson as she leaves behind everything she knows to bring the joy of books to a people desperately needing both knowledge and hope. Decades later, in 1987, fellow librarian and aspiring writer Wendy Peterson stumbles upon the CARDs story and is determined to tell it to the world.
Written with vivid imagery and characters who practically step off the page, Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is fascinating in its portrayal of this little-known piece of history, as well as inspiring—offering beautiful proof that one person really can make a difference in the world.

*Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If you think you’re not into reading another book about books or historical fiction, THINK AGAIN! Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is a perfect mix of an ode to the power of books and how they and reading them brings us together and provides a salve to the soul, and the fascination of WWI history. The story highlights the American Committee for Devastated France’s role in rebuilding French communities and the impact that these ladies of “CARDS” had on the lives of people they touched. The organization which was founded by heiress Anne Morgan and had me traveling down the Google rabbit hole. This book is a true gem for book and history lovers!

For the book lovers, librarians and historical fiction readers out there! This book tells the story of one librarians mission to get books and stories into the hands and imaginations of as many people as possible all while there’s a war raging 40 miles away!

3.5/5 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! I almost took a break from this book but picked it up again and am so glad I did. I had never heard of the incredible women of CARD who risked it all to help those most harshly affected by WWl, the families living in the front lines of war. Thank you to the author for her tireless research and for sharing Jessie Carson’s story. Jessie’s work bringing books and public libraries to the people of France is still so relevant today! She taught against classism and sexism and didn’t let anything stop her!

Based on real-life events, Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is set on the frontlines of WW1. We follow the children's librarian Jessie "Kit" Carson as she serves in CARDs, the American Committee for Devastated France, where she goes to help rebuild destroyed libraries. This bookish tale does well in highlighting the importance of pioneering women, friendship, and hope, but, most importantly, the vital role books and stories play in the most testing and trying of times.

For me, this book was a case of liking but not loving. I felt the timeline switch to the 1987 timeline took me out of what I wanted to read about, namely Kit, which I wanted more insight into. I often ended up just skimming through the more recent timeline. Neither do I think the romances added anything to the story. I do, however, appreciate the detail and am thankful for bringing more awareness to this group of women who helped to rebuild France.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy of this Arc. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade
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I love a historical fiction about brave, selfless, woman who had such an impact on our history. So many of their stories are untold or undocumented. Their names completely erased from history. If it’s based on a true story, like Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade or a true work of fiction it’s so important to have these stories out there. During this book we’re following along two different women, Kit (1918) and Wendy (1987). I kind of wish we just stuck with Kit’s POV. I found when we switched over it killed the momentum of the story and didn’t offer much. Everything in this book just left a little too safe for me. I felt a connection to this beautiful, important story, I liked and admired the characters, but I felt more of a connection to their story than themselves if that makes sense? No lines were crossed and I needed that. I do love reading about other people who share the joy of picking up a book. It’s an inspiring story especially with all the book bans that are happening in our schools, getting books into children’s hands is more crucial now than ever. I do already have The Paris Library on my shelf so I’m interested to see how it compares to this one. Overall it’s a good book, it just needed a little more oomph! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you NetGalley, Janet Skeslien Charles, and Atria Books for this E-ARC. Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade hits shelves April 30th!
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#arc #arcbooks #bookreview #historicalfiction #netgalley #missmorgansbookbrigade #booksbooksbooks

“Here in France, I’d become independent, a dauntless explorer, and outspoken librarian, a Card.” Jessie Carson, a librarian at the New York Public Library is recruited by American philanthropist Ann Morgan to help provide relief efforts to war torn France in WWI. Jessie went to France to work for the American Committee for Devastated also known as CARD (Comité Américain pour les Régions Dévastées de France). She learns that she is stronger than she thinks and that even though she wasn’t born in to the upper class, her ideas shouldn’t be discarded. She revolutionized French libraries by establishing children’s sections and allowing them to check out their own books. After WWI, she takes ambulances and turns them in to book mobiles to take books in to distant towns.
I did not know a lot about WWI or about Ann Morgan’s philanthropy and found it I really enjoyed this book and it prompted me to do more research of these characters. I think that Dolly Parton should acquire the rights to this book and turn it into a movie. Afterall, she is known as the book lady!

Here’s an unlikely beach read recommendation – a story that takes place during the Great War. We don’t normally recommend historical fiction set during a war for the beach, but Charles crafted a story that was as hopeful as it was interesting. It touched on the darkness while highlighting the helpers of one of the darkest periods of world history.

Unlike The Women (which we do NOT recommend for a summer beach read) this story never got so bogged down in wartime sadness. Instead, we are treated to a front-row seat of the grit and determination of the women working near the front lines of France to bring normalcy and hope to innocent civilians.

Specifically in the form of books – children’s books.

Based on the true story of pioneering children’s librarian, Jessie Carson, it’s a testament to women being innovators and hope-makers. Jessie works tirelessly to train the first French female librarians, turns ambulances into bookmobiles, and uses all the resources she can muster to bring joy to the victims of war.

It’s a dual timeline narrative that also focuses on Wendy, a librarian in 1980s New York working for the same library where Jessie got her start. She uses her research on Jessie and the American Committee for Devasted France as inspiration in her writing class and is surprised at how similar she is to her muse.

Why I Loved It: While there were sad moments within the story, this book ultimately left me with warmth in my heart. The narrators do an excellent job bringing this story to life. #Gifted by Simon & Schuster Books

As a huge fan of The Paris Library. I was so happy to receive an advanced copy of Charles' Miss Morgan's Book Brigade. It did not disappoint. Books about books are a bibliophile's dream. I have read several of this nature set during WWII but this was the first that highlights the atrocities of WWI. Female friendships and the love of the written word are exalted in this book. I learned so much about this time in history, mostly about the CARDS. I love that real people are memorialized. I felt a kinship with the characters, immediately and didn't want to put the book down. I loved the dualing timelines and both stories and their collision of worlds was breathtaking. Something as simple as a library and reading stories aloud to children, even during wartime, sound superfluous but Charles reminds us that books connect us and offer an escape to the world around us when we need it most. I'm now obsessed with learning more about the CARDS. Don't miss the note at the end that highlights these real women.

I have turned into such a historical fiction fan, especially when the books tell a story around one of the World Wars and if they center around books, and even better if they center around women who band together to support each other. This book hit it all for me.

The story about a librarian. Jessie (Kit) Carson who joined the American Committee for Devastated France in order to set us libraries (especially children's) in a French community near the front. She gets way more than she was prepared for. The devastation from the war is worse than she could have imagined and everything is an uphill battle in the area. She is determined to bring stories and books to the children of the area and is immediately rewarded by seeing what a difference it makes to them.

The book is told in dual timeline. The one involving Kit begins in 1918. The other timeline involves a NYPL librarian from 1987. She aspires to be a writer and eventually settles on the topic of Jessie Carson and the other women of the group who called themselves "The Cards". Her research brings them and their mission back to life.

I absolutely loved this book! I really can't believe that it ended. I could have read about their lives for so much longer. I really am sad that the story didn't continue for another three hundred pages.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a wonderful story told about 2 librarians in 2 different timelines. The first is Jessie Carson, nicknamed "Kit," and her work with the American Committee for Devastated France (called "CARD," based on the French name of the committee) during and after WW1. The second is Wendy, an aspiring writer who works in the NY Public Library's Remembrance Department in 1987 where she stumbles upon boxes of CARD records and information. As she learns more about the Cards, she realizes what an amazing novel she can write about them.

This is a heart warming story based on historical events and the life changing impact books and hope can have on our lives.

Highly recommend!

The Paris Libary by Janet Skeslian Charles, the author of The Paris Library, returns to France in a novel filled with history and insight into a little-known group of American women who volunteered in France during WWI. The American Committee for Devastated France was founded and funded by Anne Morgan, the activist daughter of financier J. P. Morgan. Jessie Carson, a children’s librarian at the New York Public Library, was chosen for a two-year stint with the group to set up a library for those living in and near the war in northeast France. She began story hours for children and traveled to villages with books for children and their mothers and gained the trust of families there.

The novel tells the parallel 1987 tale of aspiring writer Wendy, who has a tedious job scanning library files while taking evening writing classes. When she finds information about Jessie, she further investigates her story. Some of what she finds makes for the best parts of the novel and its conclusion.

This novel will appeal to readers who enjoy the contributions of women during WWI. The American women and the women and children they meet in France are colorful, well-developed characters. Among the enjoyable aspects of the novel are books like My Antonia, Tom Sawyer, and Anne of Green Gables that Jessie shares with her French families. I had a slight quibble with Jessie calling some childhood favorites as a few weren't published until she would have been in her twenties. That minor detail doesn't interfere with the well-told story.

Another HUGE bookish historical fiction hit from one of my favs, Janet Skeslien Charles!! I absolutely adored The Paris library and Miss Morgan's book brigade was equally unputdownable.

Told in a dual timeline structure we learn about the "CARDs" - women who served voluntarily in WWI to help the women and children of war torn French villages and the "present" of 1987 as NYPL librarian, Wendy stumbles upon some old newsletters that leads her to learn all about the life of these women and in particular, Jessie "Kit" Carson.

This was a beautiful story of female courage, friendship and the power of books to help during difficult times. This was such a feel-good book and I loved both storylines. HIGHLY recommended, especially for fans of books like The book woman of Troublesome creek by Kim Michele Richardson or The wartime book club by Kate Thompson.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon Schuster Canada for an early digital and physical arc copy in exchange for my honest review!!

CW: Sexual assault/rape