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

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.