An excellent view of historical fiction that has not explored yet. I enjoy reading about Jessie Carson and what she endured in Paris. Very fascinating read!

MISS MORGAN'S BOOK BRIGADE by Janet Skeslien Charles (The Paris Library) is a work of historical fiction based on the true story of Jessie "Kit" Carson, an American librarian who worked with the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD) during and after WWI. It is a truly educational story as it explains about the CARD organization and takes place in or around an area in the north of France called the Red Zone which is still uninhabited 100 years later due in large part to the quantity of unexploded ordinance. More importantly, this story is also inspirational as Kit is exposed to wartime trauma and devastation, but finds a strong community of women who serve by providing food, clothing, furniture, ambulance rides, and so much more. The cast of characters includes nurses, fundraisers, chauffeuses, and many local villagers, each with a moving story to share. In addition, the novel shifts roughly 70 years later to when Wendy Peterson works at the NYPL and comes across archival material about the CARDs; she decides to write about them, ultimately befriending the last living CARD member. Charles clearly loves books and she cleverly intersperses some of Kit's favorite quotes, like these from Anne of Green Gables: "Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" And, "As Anne Shirley would say, 'Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.'" I am eagerly looking forward to the next "library" story which Janet Skeslien Charles chooses to tell. 4.5 stars

The author includes some relevant links for interested readers. Here are a few more:
https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/anne-morgans-war
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/red-zone/

So good! I learned a lot about CARD and all that those women did to help in France during WW1. I had never heard of them before.
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced readers copy.

This is also a story of love, hope, and anticipation. There are several relationships woven throughout the story: parents and their children, siblings, young couples, friends, and colleagues. Ms. Charles' writing is highly descriptive and exquisitely delivered. The mise en scène is spot on. One hears the roar of Big Bertha at the not so distant battlefield, smells the acrid odor of spent munitions and tastes the unsatisfying cup of coffee with its added chicory. Ms. Charles' extensive historical research was obvious in the story's delivery. This is a lovely book for fans of historical fiction and the written word.

I especially enjoy reading historical fiction books that feature strong and intelligent women amd ones that teach me something that I hadn’t already known. Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles provided all that for me and then some. I had previously read this author’s book, The Paris Library, and had enjoyed it immensely so I was excited to read this one. It was an added bonus for me that Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade also focused on France and its libraries. Janet Skeslien Charles based Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade on the true story about Jessie Carson, a former children’s librarian at the New York Public Library and an essential and valuable member of the American Committee for Devastated France or CARD. I had never heard of CARD or Jessie Carson before reading Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade but was so glad that Janet Skeslien Charles was able to enlighten me about their existence and contributions. Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade was told in a dual time line of 1918 and 1987 through the voices of Jessie Carson and Wendy Peterson, two very determined and strong women.

In 1918, Jessie Carson had been working at the New York Public Library for two years in the area of the library that was designated as the Children’s Library. Jessie worked under the direction of Winnifred Smythe, a legend and force to be reckoned with in her own right. Working under her boss, Winnifred Smythe, Jessie Carson almost always felt intimidated by her and under appreciated. Jessie’s ideas and suggestions were usually ignored by Miss Smythe and she was rarely if ever taken seriously by her boss. While working at the children’s library in New York, Jessie also volunteered at the National League for Women’s Services. It was there that she caught the attention of Anne Morgan. Miss Morgan was not only the daughter of J.P. Morgan but she was also the treasurer of the National League for Women’s Services. Anne Morgan had also been influential in helping establish and develop CARD in France. Miss Morgan had recruited Jessie to become a member of the American Committee for Devastated France. Anne Morgan recognized the qualities Jessie possessed and the role Jessie Carson could play in establishing libraries for children in war torn France. Jessie never hesitated to accept the challenge of this opportunity and readily enlisted. She informed her boss of her plans and took a leave of absence from the New York Public Library. Jessie Carson committed to serving two years in France as a member of CARD. Winnifred Smythe was puzzled why Jessie Carson had been chosen over herself but Jessie ignored her jealousy and embraced her journey to France in a positive and exciting manner.

Jessie took the long journey by sea to France and was met by a fellow member of CARD who transported Jessie to the war-torn village of Blerancourt where the headquarters for CARD was located once she disembarked. The CARD member who chauffeured Jessie to Blerancourt would become one of Jessie Carson’s good friends. Blerancourt was not far from the war zone and fighting. Upon her arrival, Jessie was given the nickname of Kit. That name stuck with her the entire time she served as a member of CARD. The organization was run by both Anne Morgan and Dr. Anne Murray Dike, or Dr. M.D. as everyone called her. It became apparent almost immediately that Carson believed that children could temporarily forget their fears and all the horrors of war they had witnessed through the magic books provided. From day one, Jessie Kit Carson was determined that somehow she would provide all children regardless of their socioeconomic status a place where books were openly displayed and all children were able to attend and participate in story hour. In the libraries that Kit established, all children would be granted permission to borrow books. It was a big undertaking but Kit was up for the challenge and so much more.

Seventy years later, in 1987, a young woman named Wendy Peterson was working at the New York Public Library. She had been working there for the past two years but her real goal was to become a successful author. Wendy worked in the Rememberance Department. One day, one of her very close friends who worked with her and she had romantic feelings for, handed Wendy a box that was adorned with both an American and a French flag. Under the flags the box was labeled “Under Two Flags, a weekly bulletin of the work in France and in America, from the American Committee for Devastated France.” It was from the years of 1918-1924. Wendy was intrigued and quite curious about what the box’s contents would reveal. Upon further investigation, Wendy discovered that the bulletins contained in the box mentioned a woman named Jessie Carson who had worked at the New York Public Library back in 1918 and had traveled to France during the Great War as a member of CARD with the intention of reimagining the way libraries functioned in France especially for the children. From that discovery, Wendy became determined to uncover everything she could about Jessie Carson and the role she played in CARD. As she researched and tried to find out all she could about Jessie Carson, Wendy also found information about several other brave women who were involved in CARD. Upon learning about Jessie Carson and CARD, Wendy decided that this was who and what her debut book would be about. Wendy wanted to learn everything she possibly could about these brave and resourceful women and share their story with the world at large. History had forgotten about them but Wendy was determined to tell their story.

Before reading Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles, I had not heard of either Jessie Carson or CARD. The valiant and selfless acts these women performed during the Great War were highly impressive. Jessie Carson was a woman that was ahead of her times in her thinking and ideas. She not only existed but contributed so much to the way libraries operate today. Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade was both inspiring and compelling. It touched on the effects of war, loss, friendship, rebuilding, love, the power of books, the contributions the women of CARD provided and the courage these women possessed. It was well written and impressively researched. I really enjoyed learning about another aspect of the libraries in France. If you enjoy historical fiction books and a book that was written about books and libraries then I know that you will enjoy this book. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Atria Books for allowing me to read Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles 3.5 stars

As the Great War rages, Jessie Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library to work for the American Committee for Devastated France. Founded by millionaire Anne Morgan, this group of international women help rebuild devastated French communities just miles from the front.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is based on a true story of a group of (mostly wealthy) women that are in war torn France during WWI helping civilians on the front line. Anytime there is a fresh take on wartime historical fiction, I am all in. MMBB was a departure from my normal heavier historical fiction reads in that it felt more like a book on community and resilience. While there are plenty of sad moments, the book felt hopeful and warm. Where it lacked a little for me was the action and romance, they felt anti-climatic and more of a tick box to check off rather than developed storylines.

If you love books about books, dual timeline / well researched historical fiction, and female friendships, give Miss Morgan's Book Brigade a read!

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade was a wonderful book. WWI is one of my favorite historical periods — not so much the battles as everything that surrounded the war — the events that started it, how it impacted lives around the world, the aftermath, etc. As a bibliophile, I enjoy books about books, libraries, bookstores, etc. So, this book combined some of my favorite topics. Making it even better is that large portions of the story are based on actual events and people, and these events and people are largely unknown, but should be better known. I was unfamiliar with CARD and Jessie “Kit” Carson and her colleagues, but I am glad I was able to learn about them.

Based on real events and people, Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is an inspiring story set during the First World War. Women from America led by Anne Morgan, J.P. Morgan’s daughter, entered war torn France to nurse the soldiers and aid villagers displaced by German invaders . This is a bit of history I have never heard about before reading this book. I appreciated the closing chapters with information about the real people this historical novel was based upon. I had never heard of the red zone that was made uninhabitable to this day. I highly recommend this book to readers and thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy.

Jessie 'Kit' Carson, an American librarian, changed the library system of France for the better during and after World War 1. She left her position at the New York Public Library to join the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD) in 1918 to start a children's library, something unheard of in France. This group was founded by Ann Morgan, of the famous Morgan family, who also funded the organization to help the local villages during the War. The other story line is set in 1987 where Wendy Peterson, who also works for the NYPL, discovers the Cards and wants to share their stories with the world.
I loved learning about this real organization and real historical figures who made a real difference in many, many lives in the northern region of France. The author shares which characters were real, or composite, and what fictional liberties she made to the history. I really liked that the more contemporary storyline took place in 1987, when you had to physically locate books and articles and couldn't just do an internet search.
Kit, Ann, and the rest of the group were fascinating by what they accomplished and had to overcome daily. They brought libraries as well as medicine and food to very poor villages and improved their way of life.
I highly recommend this book if you want to learn about real life heroines in a war zone!

Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

An informative look at the women who help to rebuild communities in France during the great War in 1918. The story follows New York librarian Jessie Carson near the front. Jessie is instrumental in creating mobile libraries so children can continue to dream and be imaginative despite the war around them.

This book unfolds as World War 1 rages. Real life librarian Jesse "Kit" Carson is in Northern France to create a children's library of all things. She is part of the CARDS, an organization created by millionaire Anne Morgan. In this part of France, the Germans have devastated the region. There are no crops or any buildings intact. Also, a children's library was unknown concept in France.
She realizes before creating any library, she and the rest of the CARDS needed to rebuild and gain the trust of the populance.

Back to the presence, Librarian Wendy Peterson stumbles on Kits name. She and the CARDS have been lost in the dusty archives of history. As a New York City librarian, she has the means and opportunity to dive into the past. What happened to Kit?

Interestingly, the two time periods go back and forth explaining just how wonderful this woman and fellow CARDS were. This is stuff that no one learns in school and should.

As much as I enjoyed the book, I found the CARDS ending abrupt and open ended. There was no
closure.

After seeing the destruction wrought by the Great War, Kit volunteers for the CARD (American Committee for Devastated France) headed up by Anne Morgan, the daughter of J.P. Morgan. Though her vast love of books, what she (Kit Carson) encounters is almost unfathomable to her as so much has been destroyed in France. Miss Carson thinks her idea of building a library isn’t what they need. After going to a meeting with the town’s residents, she realizes that a library is what they really need. So with help she never have imagined that she would find the love she reads about in books, and certainly not on the front lines of WWI, but that’s precisely what happens. Kitalso builds a loving family with her CARD sisters and the citizens of Blérancourt.

This is a true life story that held my attention from the very beginning of the book. It’s the story of women doing whatever was needed to build a library that anyone can use. It’s a book that reminds one of how important libraries are.

This book was just okay. It was entertaining enough for me to keep wanting to pick it up and continue the story, but I don't think there was a ton of depth to it.

I loved all the research the author put into writing this book. Some of my favorite chapters in historical fiction books are the author's notes. I love finding myself googling photos of real-life characters and being in awe of some of these individuals. I myself couldn't find too much about these inspiring ladies, so the author definitely did her digging. THANK YOU.

I felt that the 1987 POV of Wendy wasn't necessary and took away from the story. While I loved the progression of her finding out about the CARDS and Jessie Carson, her love story felt so out of place to me.

The characters were also hard to connect with throughout the book and it took me awhile to get into it because of this.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is a historical novel set in two timelines. In 1918, American librarian Jessie Carson travels to France to build children's libraries in this war-torn country ... before she disappears. In 1987 Wendy Peterson, a New York Public Library librarian, becomes fascinated by Jessie Carson's story and determines to find out more about her life.

I wanted to read this novel because I love historical fiction, love dual storylines, and was interested in both the library and French settings.

This is a lovely book with characters to care about and a compelling storyline. (I found Jessie's story particularly interesting). The author does a wonderful job at the dual narrative, weaving the stories together by the end of the book.

I recommend Miss Morgan's Book Brigade for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone interested in WWI or library settings.

Based on the life and contributions of “Kit” Carson, a young librarian who joined the CARDs, determined to help bring restoration through libraries and books to the devastated areas of France. The author aptly describes the destruction and heartache suffered by the rural farmers and townspeople who were bombed and overrun by the German forces and the courage of the young women organized by Anne Morgan to assist the local communities.
The author’s extensive research is evidenced throughout the story. Her characters based on the CARD women are courageous and dedicated to the families they serve.
The author chose to write in a dual timeline taking part of the story from the historical records and another plot line based on an aspiring author writing the CARD story. For me this dual plot lines were unnecessary and the contemporary story detracted from the novel.
The impact of the devastation and destruction was sometimes lost in repetition. As a former librarian, I appreciated the sentiments towards books and libraries but better editing would move the plot along without sacrificing the message.

Thank you for an advance copy of this book by an author I have previosly enjoyed. I love historical fiction and this book did not disappoint. It tells the story of Jessie Carson, the NYPL librarian who goes off to fight in her way in the Great War. It tells the story of a fiercely strong and brave woman during a very scary and uncertain time. I really enjoyed this story.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is a dual timeline historical fiction novel that takes place during WWI and 70 years later. Based on real life librarian Jessie Carson, I found this to be an extremely well-researched and engrossing story. It is always a wonderful reading experience to learn about and be inspired by real life people and little known time frames, events and organizations.

Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for this fine ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The American Committee for Devastated France (CARD) was a fascinating group of women created by millionaire philanthropist Anne Morgan, JP Morgan's daughter, who worked tirelessly to help French communities rebuild after the devastation they faced in WWI. Jessie "Kit" Carson is one of these volunteers who has left her job at the New York Public Library (NYPL) to bring books to the region to inspire hope and imagination from the terrorized citizens. Her main goal is to reach out to the children and create mobile libraries to reach them. In 1987, Wendy is a struggling writer working at the NYPL who stumbles upon Kit's story and begins to research what happened to her when she disappeared in France all those years ago.

The subject matter of this historical fiction centered around the CARDs is fascinating and a story I knew very little about. These brave women are heroes in their own right and have amazing stories to share. That being said I really struggled to get into this book, I found it hard to connect to the characters as they are very flat and one dimensional. This is told from dual timelines following Kit in 1918 France and Wendy in 1987 New York. Wendy's POV offered very little to the overall story and I found myself scanning her sections. She should have been fired immediately for taking forbidden archives from the library. The dual love stories were clunky. I wish there was more energy spent on the brave women and kept the focus on them.

The "Miss Morgan" in the title refers to Anne Morgan, daughter of Pierpont Morgan and founder of the American Committee for Devastated France during World War I. She recruited more than 350 volunteers (called Cards, referring to the French name of the group, Comité American pour les Regions Devastée de France, or CARD) who lived in French villages, These extraordinary women, most of whom were women of privilege volunteering at their own expense, provided food, organized hospitals, transported victims to safety, and helped with other needs. The program lasted until 1924, but Anne Morgan never stopped trying to aid France.

Rather than concentrate on Morgan herself, the author chooses to follow the story of one volunteer, Jessie (Kit) Carson, a librarian who had previously worked at the New York Public Library. Armed with a trunk of books brought over from the States, Kit forms informal lending libraries and organizes children's story hours, along with all of the other work of the Cards. Her philosophy was that people need food and shelter, but they also need stories and beauty. Her work ended up revolutionizing libraries in France (more detail would have to include spoilers, sorry). The book also contains a dual timeline story, where a reference librarian at the NYPL in 1987 attempts to uncover more information about Jessie.

All of the characters in this book are real (an epilogue has pictures and updates on what happened to many of the women after the war), although some characters are composites. The storyline is based on the actual work of the Cards. I very much enjoy reading historical fiction that is based on real history, and this book provided a wonderful way to learn about an organization and women I didn't know existed. I put aside my "I've read enough World War books" pledge for this one and I'm glad I did. That said, there were some flaws that prevented me from becoming completely absorbed. A romance in the 1987 timeline was unnecessary and grabbed space that could have been devoted to the main story. And despite the detail throughout most of the book, there were still loose ends and unanswered questions at the end. Perhaps this was intentional, but it frustrated me.

Many thanks to Altria and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful book. I loved it from the very first page!