Fascinating read based on real events from WWI. It focuses on the American Committee for Devastated France, which provided food and books to French survivors, amid shelling, mine fields and death. Our main character, Jessie Carson, was a real person who took part in the committee's activities, known for her efforts to children’s libraries in war-torn France and training young French women librarians.

Along with that story from 1917, we are treated to a storyline from 1987 which features Wendy Peterson, an aspiring writer and a New York library employee. She discovers references to Jessie and is baffled when she can find no mention of her at all in existing records. Wendy decides to dig deeper and learn all she can about Jessie Carson.

The author provides us with very well written characters, and has done a marvelous job with researching the Committee and the era. Highly recommend this book to everyone.

Loved the daul story lines in this book. I think it gives you a great point of view for both of the characters. Fun read. Will definitely recommend this book

A well developed cast of characters and distinct dual timelines makes this based on a real life historical fiction a pleasure to read. I appreciated the glimpse into life in the French countryside during WWI and am impressed with the daring of these women who braved hardships to care for body and soul of the people they served. I am glad that their story gets to be told in this enlightening novel. Author's notes are not to be missed.

Cute girl power! Loved the library and how it connects the two women. The dual story lines gave the book so much more context and loved how the author seamlessly wove the two stories together.

I am a big fan of historical novels that alternate between the present & the past. Going between CARD librarian Jessie ‘Kit’ Carson and Wendy Peterson made this book easy to read and feeling like you’re following along with Wendy’s discoveries. Wendy was researching Jessie’s experience during WWI and the two stories intersected beautifully. I enjoyed both ladies’ stories and the variety of characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy of this book.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is the story of Jessie "Kit" Carter, a children's librarian during WWII. Once the war begins, she leaves New York to go to France and begin starting children's libraries in the war torn towns. She becomes a member of CARD and the chapters follow her story as she tries to rebuild. With a dual timeline, shared with Wendy, an aspiring writer who finds paper work on CARD members and begins to look up the stories of the brave women during WWII, it is a delightful read. I love that the author always seems to centralize her story telling around books and libraries, as The Paris Library is one of my favorite books, another novel by the same author.
The only reason I knocked it down in the rating is that I'm a little worn out of the dual timelines that seem to be in every single WWII/Historical Fiction books these days. I would love for authors to stray away from that, as it seems like you can't find a HF book without it.
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for my review and opinions!

While I did enjoy the 1987 timeline better, even though it's hard to wrap my head around the fact that 1987 is considered historical in fiction now. Seeing as how I was born that year. I did love learning about Jessie Carson's mobile library in France at the close of WWI. And as a Kentuckian I love getting a glimpse of Mary Breckenridge's time as a nurse in war torn France, as she would go on to found the Frontier Nursing Service in Kentucky. She's a favorite Kentucky daughter and hero.

I absolutely love historical fiction novels, especially when:

-there are multiple timelines in the past and present
-women protagonists are portrayed as strong, multi-faceted forces to be reckoned with
-people from history who are often overlooked in the historical record

This book hit all of those boxes and did them very well. I loved The Paris Library, so I was super excited to get to read the ARC version on NetGalley. The author does a fantastic job of finding unique viewpoints from history that aren't frequently touched on or completely saturated. I could've done with less romance and more specific wartime stories, but the plot was compelling and so well done.

Overall, this was a great read and I definitely recommend it for any historical fiction lover, especially if you enjoyed her previous book!

A novel of WWII historical fiction, following New York Public Librarian Jessie "Kit" Carson who travels to France amid the devastation. Jessie joins the CARDS, an American Committee for Devastated France. Working with this group of women, Jessie establishes children's libraries for the devastated French towns, and then disappears.

The story alternates timelines with Wendy Peterson, a New York Public Librarian in 1987, who stumbles upon a reference of Jessie Carson while working, and becomes consumed with learning more about this woman and her work in France.

Although this book had a unique WWII premise, the story and writing fell a bit flat for me.

I loved this so much! I was so excited to get this one. I was sucked in immediately. I loved the characters and it held my attention. It was plot driven and i adored it! I finished this in one sitting!

Based on the true life story of Jessie Carson, this is a superb book about Anne Morgan’s CARDs and the selfless tireless work these women did in France. A wonderful story describing France at the tail end of WWI and the American women who helped the small villages feed and rebuild themselves. I particularly liked the author’s note which went over the true histories of all the women.

This was a great introduction to Anne Morgan and her organization, and with the Red Zone which still exists in France.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

From 1918 a group of international women are helping devastated French communities rebuild as WWI rages on. Jessie Carson is one of these women and hers is a story worth reading. It falls to a librarian in 1987 who finds a “passing reference” to take on the research and piece together the story of the American Committee for Devastated France. Founded and funded by Anne Morgan, heiress to the Morgan banking fortune, with her companion Dr. Anne Murray Dike, they championed a contingent of wealthy debutantes. These women lived, worked, saved lives and created hope for the French villagers.

This is another story about the horrors of The Great War with a meaningful twist relating the power of kindness and the connection that was made with the offer of a book. Knowing a story, offering a novel, a chance to escape if only for a few hours, we all know how therapeutic it can be. Jessie Carson found a way to reach the helpless and almost hopeless and gave them a reason to continue and look to the future.

I enjoyed this very well written book which had a feeling “of the time”. My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy.

This isn't just another story about the war and nazi Germany. I have read many stories of victims, survivors, and heroes, but this brought to attention another aspect of the war. The need for children to learn, for people to read books to escape the world they are living. Miss Morgan and the CARDS, a group of women volunteers from America, travel to France to help families in war torn towns. Bringing medical care, food, and love. Also bringing along a librarian from NY to help restore a library and a sense of normalcy.

In Miss Morgan's Book Brigade, we learn about Jessie Carson, aka Kit. Determined to bring books back into the lives of these families, mostly women and children whom have lost someone to the war or have someone fighting. Honored to be asked to be there but always hearing the negative voice of her boss in NY in her head. Kit works on building trust and friendships with these families.

Thank you Janet Skeslien Charles for bring attention to the brave women of CARDS. The women who have left the comfort of their homes in America, some who came from very lavish lives. Selflessly putting themselves in the middle of a war.

Anne Morgan, daughter of JP Morgan, was a dedicated philanthropist who, along with Anne Murray Dike, founded a humanitarian project during WWI. She not only led the fund-raising for the endeavor but she herself went to France to oversee the work. Jessie Carson is a library worker who joins Morgan’s American Committee for Devastated France (Comite Americain pour les Regions Devastees, commonly called CARD). In 1918 Jessie goes to France and works with other women to try and bring some semblance of normality to the French countryside that has been devastated by the war. Jessie focuses her attention on the need for a children’s library as bombs and war rage on a mere 40 miles away.

This is based upon the real Jessie Carson, also known as Kit, and the real work of Anne Morgan’s committee. Little has been known of Kit’s efforts working as a CARD and in a separate timeline set in 1987, Wendy Peterson, a New York Public librarian, attempts to uncover the woman who had been lost to history.

While Anne Morgan may not be the central character, she is crucial to the story and her work is of paramount importance. Kit is the key character and she is likeable and certainly dedicated to her life as a CARD. She is brave and committed to providing reading material to children in the wartorn countryside. There is danger in the work and she finds she must deal with families torn apart, just as the landscape has been torn asunder.

There is so much rich detail of a ravaged France and the actual work of women to restore the country. Food, clothing, blankets, seed and other essentials were provided by the CARDS. It was Kit’s critical work in bringing books to the children that complimented the other practical items needed by the adults. Books would bring a semblance of normalcy to the devastated countryside.

Photographs and details of the read CARDS and of Anne Morgan and Anne Dike are included in the author’s notes. Such supplemental material is always a welcome addition to any fictional account based upon real people and events. They add authenticity and enhance the reading experience. Reminiscent of Band of Sisters by Willig and Good Night Irene by Urrea, Charles has written a fascinating story about women putting themselves in harm’s way during wartime. Their humanitarian efforts are finally being recognized and readers are learning of their important contributions.

I am devastated with this review. I loved so much this author last novel and I was looking forward to this one. Where to begin? It felt like I kept reading and reading and the plot wasn’t moving forward much. I will give credit for all the historic parts and scenarios painted. But I think this was exactly where this didn’t work for me. It read like a history book more than anything tome. I guess what I am trying to politely say is that I was bored completely and found myself struggling to keep going.

While Jessie 'Kit' Carson unleashed her brigade battle with books, author Janet Skeslien Charles penned her fight with words. Readers who check out #MissMorgansBookBrigade will delight in the brave 'Cards' (library volunteers) who risked their lives to spread hope and literature through a worn-torn Blérancourt, France.

The dual-linear timeline affords first-hand accounts from the battlefield and NYPL librarian, Wendy Peterson chronicled the Cards' challenging circumstances while championing children.. Before reading the story, I wasn't aware of the Cards and dedication to improving children's lives, The brigade banded together to make the world a better place.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #MissMorgansBookBrigade in exchange for an honest review. I'm a fan of the author's and historical fiction. When I started reading the novel, I wasn't in the right mindset. That clouded my judgement and I needed to pick up the book a second time. I'm gad I waited as I enjoyed the read and recommend the joining the book brigade.

This was a beautiful and heartbreaking story of love, loss, courage, resiliency and friendships. Based on a true story, it follows Jessie Carson, an American librarian, as she brings books to a devastated town in France during WWI. It is told in dual points of view switching between 1917/1918 and 1987.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade follows the story of Jessie Carson as she joins the effort to aid France in the Great War. Wendy Peterson is looking to write her first novel when she comes across the story of the CARD's and Jessie in the 1980's. Can she bring these miraculous women to life and do them justice.

This book was a phenomenal example of how good historical fiction can be. I was invested in both women's stories completely and really empathized with boths plights. Jessie felt alive and like an everyday woman wanting to make a difference by escaping things outside of her control. Wendy was a quiet loner who loved books more than people but made an effort to change that. This book reminds you that finding the weird obscure fact about history can change your life in a way you didn't even know was possible. I loved every second of reading it and cried several times out of sorrow, joy, and so much more. Amazing!

One of my favorite books of 2021 was Skeslien Charles’ novel, THE PARIS LIBRARY. So, I was thrilled to hear she had a new novel also about books and war. This time the setting is France during WWI with ties to real historical people and events.

Miss Morgan refers to Anne Morgan, the daughter of well-known financier, J.P. Morgan. Even though she was part of one of the wealthiest families in the world, she still was a staunch supporter of women’s rights and was the founder of the American Committee for Devastated France, an international group that helped rebuild French communities that were along the front lines of the war.

The Book Brigade refers to Anne’s hiring of Jessie “Kit” Carson, a children’s librarian from the New York City Public Library to come to France and establish libraries. This may have been her original purpose, but she also served in many other roles during her service in France. After ambulances were no longer needed, she turned them into bookmobiles, traveling into Red Zones to bring books to families returning to their homes or what was left of their homes.

Even though this is a work of fiction, this book is based on these two real people and others. An extensive author’s note at the end of the book explains these real people and their tireless work to bring books, food, and healing to those in France during WWI.

This dual-timeline story begins in January 1918 in Northern France with Jessie Carson just arriving in France after being summoned by Anne Morgan to bring books to children in areas devastated by war in France. Jessie is very green when it comes to living in a war zone but is determined to get to know the families and children by sharing a love of books. She is soon conducting story hours and traveling in dangerous areas to deliver books and other crucial items to families who refuse to leave their homes.

“But Marcelle reminded me that books were a lifeline. In the devastated zone, I vowed to make sure every child had the much-needed pleasure, spark of imagination, and escape that books brought. I would lead story hour and create a library. The only question was how.“

In alternating chapters, we meet Wendy, an employee of the NYPL in 1987, who works in Remembrance, photographing, scanning, and cataloging documents for future generations to easily access and read. While working she comes across a story about the women of Anne Morgan’s CARD organization and is interested in learning more. Wendy is currently attending college to be a writer and wonders if this is the story she should be writing. As Wendy learns more about Anne Morgan and Jessie Carson, readers are taken back to WWI to learn more about their story.

I appreciated learning about this little-known group of women who worked tirelessly to keep families along the dangerous war front fed, educated, cared for, and loved. As the fighting became closer, they also worked in make-shift hospitals helping the wounded soldiers, offering a comforting hand or a listening ear, or working alongside the nurses and doctors to save the wounded.

Many may think that setting up libraries while a war was raging nearby may seem frivolous. But books and reading can be a balm to those who have suffered a loss, for those who are in pain, or for those who need to feel transported to someplace new. Reading books is an important part of learning for children of all ages. A library is an important place in any community whether it is a small town, a neighborhood, a city, or a war front. The author Janet Skeslien Charles stated this:

“Libraries are the foundation of democracy. They are among the few places where people may enter for free and enjoy culture, whether through books, author readings, games, classes, computers, films, or music. I urge you to support your local library and librarians by raising your voice about the importance of reading and accessibility to books and culture.”

I couldn’t agree more. As a lover of historical fiction and a staunch supporter of books and libraries, I highly recommend this story of a little-known group of women who fought the war in a much different but important way.

One of the reasons I love to read historical fiction is because it explores nuances of history that have been untouched.
I had no knowledge about the CARDS or the work they did.
I enjoyed reading about the challenges and growth of both the spirited American and French women during WWI.
I also loved that the novel revolves around the love of books and reading and the happiness both bring, no matter what’s going on in the world.
That’s the true message of the book.