This book is about the work of CARDS during WW1. I found the bouncing from 1918 to the 1980’s took me out of the story. I don’t feel like the 1980’s part of the book was necessary and would have just preferred staying in the early 1900’s for the full book. I have no idea about the CARDS before reading this. I just wish the other time period didn’t take me out of the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy.

1918 France is at war and Jesse Carson, assistant librarian at the New York Public Library, decides to join the CARDS in order to try to help in the war effort. When she arrives to France she advocates for her library and story time for the children. With her stories and books Carson brings some of the women out of their grief, giving them a new purpose. Eventually she becomes responsible for the bookmobiles that helped give hope to the children of France, and revolutionized the library system in France, including starting a training program for women to become librarians. Decades later Wendy is an inspiring writer who discovers Jesse’s story and decides to write a book to give exposure to all the amazing things the CARDS did.

I hadn’t had much knowledge about these amazing women and I really enjoyed learning about their lives and the legacy they left behind. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

This book is a salute to the women CARDS of WWI and a love letter to readers everywhere.

The author's extensive research (10 years worth) made this book very realistic though it is historical fiction. I hadn't heard of Jessie Carson or the other CARDS until I started reading this book, and I found their work, drive, and courage to be fascinating!

Along with all the details about the CARDS lives and Jessie Carson's determination to build a children's library there are many quotes from and references to well known classics. My reader's heart was bursting with happiness at all of the Anne of Green Gables quotes

This book has a second storyline set in present day 1987. Wendy Peterson, who works at NYPL, discovers Jessie and the CARDS and her chapters tie in with Jessie's chapters. Though the story didn't need Wendy's chapters to be good, it did elevate the story.

I love this author's writing style and the way she is able to tell a story. She whisks the reader away to another time and place and introduces them to characters they will learn to adore.

I also enjoyed the extras at the end of the book. It was nice to read more about these women and be provided with even more available resources about them and the CARD program.

I will definitely remember this book for a long time. This author is now on my must read list.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

Great historical fiction. This is the story of the CARDs who helped rebuild France during World War I. Jessie Carson is a librarian who volunteers during the war to go to France to set up libraries. She finds herself doing so much more. She helps the town and neighbors by setting up a children's library and bookmobile. The story times gives the children a temporary break from the war. This was a compelling story of which I knew nothing. Historical fiction brings to light many stories that I never knew. School only scratches the surface of history. This type of story helps all understand women's part in the conflict. Women also lost their lives not just men. I highly recommend reading this book.

Thank you to #netgalley, @JSkeslienCharles, and @SimonandSchuster for a copy of this book.
#MissMorgansBookBrigade

I really enjoy reading books about World War Ii,I,but I enjoyed getting a glimpse of World War I through the eyes of Janet Charles in Miss Morgans's Book Brigade. Ms Charles introduces us to the young women of CARD , but also introduces us to the unknown librarian Jessie "Kit" Carson. With easy transitions between the present and the villages of France in World War I the reader learns about CARD and their mission in France helping the villagers live their day to day lives admidst the battles of World War I. However, when Jessie arrives in France her goal is to bring books to children and adults in these village and eventually France.

I highly recommend this book to librarians, library students and lovers of history.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade totally swept me off my feet! Janet Skeslien Charles whisks us away to 1918, right in the heart of World War I, where Jessie Carson becomes this total book hero. She ditches her job at the New York Public Library to help rebuild France and ends up creating these awesome children's libraries. How rad is that?

Then there's Wendy Peterson in 1987, just your average bookworm, stumbling upon Jessie's story and diving headfirst into this epic mystery. It's like a blast from the past meeting the present!

What I loved most about this book is how it celebrates strong women doing their thing, breaking barriers, and leaving their mark on history. Jessie and Wendy are totally relatable and kickass in their own ways.

Janet Skeslien Charles has a remarkable talent for bringing history to life. The vivid descriptions and meticulous attention to detail made me feel as though I was right there alongside the characters, experiencing their triumphs and hardships firsthand. And the fact that this story is based on real people only adds to its allure.

But perhaps what I loved most about this book is its celebration of the power of love and the enduring impact of books and libraries. In times of darkness, they serve as beacons of hope, bringing people together and offering solace in the midst of chaos.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is a captivating read that I couldn't put it down, and now that I've finished, I find myself eagerly anticipating Janet Skeslien Charles's next masterpiece. If you're a fan of historical fiction with strong, inspirational women at its core, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. Highly recommended!

This took me a little bit to get into, but once I did, I was hooked. The characters were well developed, I loved all the personalities. I didn't know much about Americans in France in World War I, so I was glad to learn that history. There were some difficult war tragedies, but enough successes and encouraging friendships that I didn't feel overwhelmed by the sad parts. On the whole, very inspiring.

WOW! The bravery of these women in hard to imagine. And that most of them life a life of luxury to be in harms way - it is humbling! Thoroughly enjoyed learning about the CARDS and “discovering” them - the dual timelines worked well.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review.
When reading books pre publication, I usually form in my mind exactly to whom I would recommend the books. This is a great read for a historical fiction book club, because it delves into a piece of unknown, or forgotten history attached to a bigger period in time. There are so many books about WWII and the common person who resisted, or fought, or was left behind. This book is about World War One volunteer librarians who went to France to set up a library in the red zone, but did so much more for the residents who had lost everything. Reverberations of WWI and the red zone are still felt, and some of the libraries the CARDS set up still remain, but their stories are revitalized in this book. There is so much history here!
Pros- learning about the CARDS was extremely interesting.
Cons- I thought the book itself was slow and I spend a lot of time not liking the recent timeline of the book until the end
Could it have been a straight ahead story of the cards without the second timeline? I think so. But regardless, patrons who love historical fiction and these tidbits of war will enjoy the book.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles is an extraordinary novel set in postwar WWI France. It showcases the remarkable courage of women who transform the world through the power of books. This moving story delves into themes of sacrifice, heroism, and the transformative nature of storytelling, illustrating how books can profoundly impact our lives.

Janet Skeslien Charles’s novel, The Paris Library, was historical fiction at its best, and here, with Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade, she offers readers another emotional and compelling story. Charles takes a part of WWI history about which I knew nothing and brings it to textured and detailed life.

The Miss Morgan of the title was of the daughter of J. Pierpont Morgan . She went to France to help those who experienced the devastation that comes from losing everything held dear. For this community, survival was a daily challenge. The American Committee for Devastated France wanted to offer assistance and hope. This group of international women helped rebuild destroyed French communities building relationships in the process..

Children’s librarian, Jessie (Kit Carson) works as the New York Public Librarary as the story opens. Her boss is very critical and is a constant voice in Jessie’s head. Jessie wants to do more and volunteers to go to France. She brings her talents, insecurities, many books and her love of them (especially perhaps Anne of Green Gables) with her.

In addition to Jessie and Miss Morgan readers meet doctors, nurses, cooks and other brave women. And, of course there are the people of the community. Readers are sure to want the very best for them. Just two of these characters are a young teen who loves to read and drive, and a woman devastated by the loss of her husband and baby. The remnant that she has left is a book that was written by her husband and that Jessie restored.

What the American women accomplished and created was nothing short of amazing. Readers will be engaged by their stories and works. Note too that Jessie was honored by France for her accomplishments in the field of children’s libraries.

As is often true in historical fiction, there is, in addition, a story set in a time close to the present. This features a young woman who is microfilming at the NYPL and learns of Jessie’s story. Readers trust that the storylines will intersect and indeed they do.

This is a novel for anyone/everyone who adores books, historical fiction, and good storytelling with emotional resonance. Very highly r4ecommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

This is a poignant and powerful story of women improving the lives of French citizen whose homes, families and livelihoods were destroyed in WWI.

Jessie “Kit” Carson is a children’s librarian in New York who is recruited to the Comite Americain pour les Regions Devastees (CARD). Initially hired to build a library, the timing isn’t right. Undeterred, Kit finds ways to bring a little bit of happiness to the children who have lost so much. She does this by creating a story hour and letting the children borrow books. In this process, she learns so much about herself and her strength of character and determination.

I had never heard of Kit Carson, Anne Morgan, Anne Murray Dike or the organization. I found myself researching them as I was reading. It turns out Canadians were involved also.

Stories based on true events and real people can sometimes be difficult to get right especially if not much is known about them. But the author manages to capture the human condition so well.

Also, I can’t help but note the number of mentions of and quotes from Anne of Green Gables. This delights me.

This is the second book I have read by this author and she has firmly established herself as an auto buy author for me.

The author’s note at the end is very informative and worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Without uppity women, nothing would get done." Lewis

My paternal grandmother was born in 1900. It is amazing to me to learn that during WWI women her age bravely traveled across the ocean to help people in the devastated land of France. They tried to repair damage, plant crops, transport endangered citizens and make things better. This book by Janet Skeslien Charles is based on the true story of Jessie "Kit" Carson, a librarian who joined these brave women.
I received this book from Atria Books through NetGalley. This is my own unsolicited opinion.
I learned about the amazing group known as "CARD" American Committee for Devastated France, which was funded by Anne Morgan, millionaire. This is so much more than 'just a story' about Miss Carson. This is about the dedicated and mostly wealthy international women who served as a team to feed and give many kinds of aid to citizens and soldiers who served or lived in France.
The story is done in two timelines, 1918, the telling of Kit Carson's mission to refurbish a war damaged library and bring books to the communities she could reach. She is a character that is heroic to me. She was so much more than a hired librarian during her time in France.
1987 another New York public librarian, Wendy Peterson happens upon boxed up information about CARD. As she reads, she learns of Jessie Carson and discovers that she seemed to disappear many years ago. She starts an intense search to learn more.
I've always been interested in WWII heroics and history. This book was new and interesting for me describing the terrible time the people of France endured. The stories of the strength of women and dedication of 'spoiled and delicate' rich girls are parts of history that need to be valued and shared.
Note: language, adult relationships, devastation, infant death, grief and casualties of war

Libraries give us strength to carry on at times when we need it the most and this book is an excellent portrayal during WWI.

JP Morgan, a successful investment banker, had four children and his youngest, Anne Tracy Morgan, was remembered as a noted philanthropist in the early 1950s. She was raised with wealth and took it to another level making Americans aware of the brutal war in France. She had the means to encourage change. She hired a photographer and filmmaker to show Americans what the Germans had done to the farms, animals, land and people. What they saw was alarming.

Miss Morgan created a group called “CARDs” which was an American Committee for Devastated France. This story focuses on one of her workers, Jessie “Kit” Carson, who was hired to set up a children’s library in the war zones of Northern France. As anyone can imagine, it was not only dangerous to work where she could hear bombs but also emotionally difficult.

The author then went to 1987 with another character, Wendy Peterson, an aspiring author. While in college, she was gathering details to write a book to make reader’s aware of Kit Carson’s enormous contribution towards the war. This was someone she could relate to – a girl who didn’t have a lot of money but loved books and worked at the NYPL. Wendy was eagerly learning about the CARDs with her research and getting help from someone charming and handsome. Anyone can guess that a romance would follow.

This book is filled with words and phrases that make you pause as it reminds us of what’s important in life and the brutal side of the war. It was a time when death surrounded the people while books in many ways saved them by lifting their spirits. It’s a true story with an impressive amount of research. There was much to digest and slow in parts but the book is worth reading. At the end, the author leaves readers with a short profile of people that were instrumental with the CARDs in the book.

My thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book with an expected release date of April 30, 2024.

From the author of The Paris Library comes yet another story about the power and importance libraries have in the lives of everyday people. It is a dual timeline story following Jessie ‘Kit’ Carson a children’s librarian part of the CARDs (American Committee for Devastated France) and Wendy a NYPL archivist/aspiring writer in the 1980s. The story follows Kit and her fellow CARDs as they work to help the devestated areas of northern France rebuild. Simultaneously, Wendy discovers an archived CARD newsletter and begins her deep dive into trying to understand who these women were and what happened to them after the war. It’s a story of true dedication to the serving of others and the importance of literature as a doorway to healing, growth and connection.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC. I’m always drawn to a book about libraries since I’m a huge believer of their unparalleled value. I loved The Paris Library and found this story similar in voice and the deep level of research done to inform the narrative. I didn’t love Wendy’s point of view and didn’t find it entirely necessary but I understand that her story was meant to symbolize the author’s own discovery of the CARD women and subsequent fascination. I’m continually in awe of the many women who chose to enter war zones during WWI and WWII. They showed extreme courage in a time when many still believed women should be seen and not heard.

In the epilogue the author writes “Libraries are the foundation of democracy. They are among the few places where people may enter for free and enjoy culture…” This is ever more important to remember as library funding continues to be cut and censorship is at an all time high. The book releases April 30th and I definitely recommend adding it to your lists.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC of this novel.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is a historical fiction novel set in WWI. I will admit it’s not something I would usually read but as a book lover myself I was intrigued. If you are a book lover or historical fiction lover this book is for you. It had so many quotes and references to classic novels and it really taught me about a a piece of history I knew nothing about.

I did find the book moving a little show for my liking but the characters were great and you really fell in love with all the different members of CARD.

3.5/5 stars

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is a fantastic historical novel by Janet Skeslien Charlles. Charles brings her reader into 1918 France. Millionaire Anne Morgan and her international group of women are fighting their own war by helping people who live just miles from the front. Jessie Carson is a librarian in New York and she is selected to come to France with the responsibility to establish a library. Carson has never traveled and her life is forever altered by this experience. Charles's characters are fascinating and they're many interesting sub-plots. There is also a separate story line that is set in 1987 New York. Wendy Peterson is an aspiring writer and works at t he New York Public Library. She is fascinated when she discovers some information about Jessie Carson. Peterson's research leads her on an amazing search that ends in an unexpected way. This book is a definite must read and I also enjoyed Charles's previous novel, The Paris Library.

In 1918 during World War I, Anne Morgan, daughter of J. P. Morgan, and a group of wealthy American women put themselves in danger to bring books to war torn towns in France. Librarian Jesse “Kit” Carson, an employee of the New York Public Library, takes a paid assignment during that time to join these women known as CARDS (American Committee for Devastated France) on their mission. The book is told in a way that follows Kit as she recreates local libraries and alters vehicles into roving libraries bringing books to outlying communities. In alternate chapters, present day research librarian Wendy becomes fascinated with the history of the long forgotten group of women and is determined to know what happened to Kit. The author has deeply researched this topic. At the end of the book she provides details about the real life characters of this story. Fascinating read! This ARC was provided by Atria Books | Simon & Schuster via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent short description of American volunteers in France at the end of WW I. It describes the work of librarian Jessie "Kit" Carson to reestablish libraries, American libraries, in the ruins of France at the end of WW I. She volunteered with a group of women from the United States that included medical personnel and other women who spent the last few months in the edge of an active war zone. The book would be excellent for teens and up. It describes the ruined buildings, the widowed women and wounded soldiers, orphaned children and the misery of war, but is not graphic and gory.

I love a book about books! In this book you are transported through time from 1918 to 1987 as two stories lines are inevitably interconnected through history and fate. Jessie Carson worked to bring books into the lives of children during the war efforts. Years later Wendy Peterson discovers the work of Carson and begins to investigate it further. I nearly finished in one sitting. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy of this book for an honest review.