MISS MORGANS BOOK BRIGADE
BY: JANET SKESLIEN CHARLES

Five Sparkling Stars!

"Books are bridges, they show how we're connected."

If ever a historical novel was worthy of all of the stars beyond the five allotted to them, then they would belong to, "MISS MORGANS BOOK BRIGADE,"a masterpiece that would easily win that prize. This beautifully written story based on historical facts and people is written with an incredibly huge heart by Janet Skeslien Charles. It brings alive on the page some of the courageous and giving women that not only helped to rebuild the war zone torn villages of Northern France, but also Jesse "Kit" Carson who brought the gift of books by both mobile libraries and took part in rebuilding libraries starting in 1918, during World War I. These women were sponsored by Anne Morgan by and Dr. Anne Murray Dike who implemented the American Committee for Devastated France commonly known as "CARDS." This is a meticulously researched part of unknown history that is brought to light by this author that is an excellent, well written absorbing story that everybody should be taught in school.

I never expected such a moving and gripping, fascinating part of the unknown history of the transforming power of so many familiar books that held the keys to heal a nation until having the pleasure of reading this. It was not just books alone but the goodwill of librarian Kit Carlson from the New York Public Library who innately knew how the power of stories could heal not only children but adults as well bringing hope to the masses of people who suffered unimaginable losses. Her efforts helped people who lost everything to want to renter the land of living from the brink of giving up. I don't remember the last time I read such an uplifting and inspirational story that was so hypnotic in every written passage that restored my faith in the human spirit like these characters did.

This historical fiction novel is the perfect love letter that pays homage to book lovers and spoke volumes to me of the reason I love to read. I had been in a book slump and this one has deeply resonated with me and has stolen my heart. There were so many people who had experienced unthinkable losses whose lives were decimated by war. The resilience that they showed in the face of so much suffering were helped to carry onward and start again by the good deeds done by these CARDS. Having been given the right novel by Kit that she knew would be the perfect anecdote helped a woman who had lost her husband and only child come out of being a recluse and engage with her community again. Reading to children by engaging their minds helped both the children and gave their mothers a much needed respite.

"Anne always remembered the silvery peaceful beauty and fragrant calm of that night.
It was the last night before sorrow touched her life; and no life is ever quite the same
again when once that cold, sanctifying touch has been laid upon it.

"Trees were so rare in that country, and they had to make such a hard fight to grow,
that we used to feel anxious about them, and visit them as if they were persons."

"When I used to read fairy tales, I fancied that kind of thing never happened, and now
here I am in the middle of one!"

It takes time for Kit to build trust with the widows. She sees that the library for which she was hired as a librarian by Anne Morgan with paid wages is in massive need of repairs. She held many years of experience on both the West and East Coasts. She always dreamed of working in the New York Public Library where she worked as an assistant director in the children's department. She is nervous being so close to the German front constantly hearing bombs and the ground shaking. She takes to delivering books going with other members of the CARD girls delivering provisions to help the remaining population survive. They are close to the front will they survive?

Wendy Peterson in 1987 works at the New York Public Library preserving rare documents while attending graduate school to become a writer. Her writing workshop that meets has an instructor that critiques hers and the other eleven students short stories. Wendy discovers Kit Carson's name on one of the many documents about the CARD program of World War I. When she learns that kit was a former New York Public Librarian prior to serving close to the German front, it intrigues Wendy to research further. What Wendy finds could be a manuscript for the book that she wanted to write. Will Wendy find the obscure information?

The seventy years later brings a commonality in an unexpected way that ties these two librarians together in ways the reader can't guess. I loved this book so much because of the heavy focus on books. I loved seeing that women made a contribution to do their small part for the greater good of people during the Great War that was about the CARD volunteers. This is at times heartwarming and heart wrenching. It was unique and I loved it because I learned something new. I really overall see this as a top reading experience if not just this year but a favorite lifetime reading experience. Lovers of historical fiction and books in general will adore this novel. Anybody who enjoys writing will be pleasantly surprised at all the passages from great authors young or old, there is something for everyone in this fantastic novel. This is a rare gem full of heart.

Publication Date: April 30th, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley, Janet Skeslien Charles, and Atria for providing me with this special ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#MissMorgansBookBrigade #JanietSkeslienCharles #Atria #NetGalley

MISS MORGANS BOOK BRIGADE
BY: JANET SKESLIEN CHARLES

Five Sparkling Stars!

"Books are bridges, they show how we're connected."

If ever a historical novel was worthy of all of the stars beyond the five allotted to them, then they would belong to, "MISS MORGANS BOOK BRIGADE,"a masterpiece that would easily win that prize. This beautifully written story based on historical facts and people is written with an incredibly huge heart by Janet Skeslien Charles. It brings alive on the page some of the courageous and giving women that not only helped to rebuild the war zone torn villages of Northern France, but also Jesse "Kit" Carson who brought the gift of books by both mobile libraries and took part in rebuilding libraries starting in 1918, during World War I. These women were sponsored by Anne Morgan by and Dr. Anne Murray Dike who implemented the American Committee for Devastated France commonly known as "CARDS." This is a meticulously researched part of unknown history that is brought to light by this author that is an excellent, well written absorbing story that everybody should be taught in school.

I never expected such a moving and gripping, fascinating part of the unknown history of the transforming power of so many familiar books that held the keys to heal a nation until having the pleasure of reading this. It was not just books alone but the goodwill of librarian Kit Carlson from the New York Public Library who innately knew how the power of stories could heal not only children but adults as well bringing hope to the masses of people who suffered unimaginable losses. Her efforts helped people who lost everything to want to renter the land of living from the brink of giving up. I don't remember the last time I read such an uplifting and inspirational story that was so hypnotic in every written passage that restored my faith in the human spirit like these characters did.

This historical fiction novel is the perfect love letter that pays homage to book lovers and spoke volumes to me of the reason I love to read. I had been in a book slump and this one has deeply resonated with me and has stolen my heart. There were so many people who had experienced unthinkable losses whose lives were decimated by war. The resilience that they showed in the face of so much suffering were helped to carry onward and start again by the good deeds done by these CARDS. Having been given the right novel by Kit that she knew would be the perfect anecdote helped a woman who had lost her husband and only child come out of being a recluse and engage with her community again. Reading to children by engaging their minds helped both the children and gave their mothers a much needed respite.

"Anne always remembered the silvery peaceful beauty and fragrant calm of that night.
It was the last night before sorrow touched her life; and no life is ever quite the same
again when once that cold, sanctifying touch has been laid upon it.

"Trees were so rare in that country, and they had to make such a hard fight to grow,
that we used to feel anxious about them, and visit them as if they were persons."

"When I used to read fairy tales, I fancied that kind of thing never happened, and now
here I am in the middle of one!"

It takes time for Kit to build trust with the widows. She sees that the library for which she was hired as a librarian by Anne Morgan with paid wages is in massive need of repairs. She held many years of experience on both the West and East Coasts. She always dreamed of working in the New York Public Library where she worked as an assistant director in the children's department. She is nervous being so close to the German front constantly hearing bombs and the ground shaking. She takes to delivering books going with other members of the CARD girls delivering provisions to help the remaining population survive. They are close to the front will they survive?

Wendy Peterson in 1987 works at the New York Public Library preserving rare documents while attending graduate school to become a writer. Her writing workshop that meets has an instructor that critiques hers and the other eleven students short stories. Wendy discovers Kit Carson's name on one of the many documents about the CARD program of World War I. When she learns that kit was a former New York Public Librarian prior to serving close to the German front, it intrigues Wendy to research further. What Wendy finds could be a manuscript for the book that she wanted to write. Will Wendy find the obscure information?

The seventy years later brings a commonality in an unexpected way that ties these two librarians together in ways the reader can't guess. I loved this book so much because of the heavy focus on books. I loved seeing that women made a contribution to do their small part for the greater good of people during the Great War that was about the CARD volunteers. This is at times heartwarming and heart wrenching. It was unique and I loved it because I learned something new. I really overall see this as a top reading experience if not just this year but a favorite lifetime reading experience. Lovers of historical fiction and books in general will adore this novel. Anybody who enjoys writing will be pleasantly surprised at all the passages from great authors young or old, there is something for everyone in this fantastic novel. This is a rare gem full of heart.

Publication Date: April 30th, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley, Janet Skeslien Charles, and Atria for providing me with this special ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#MissMorgansBookBrigade #JanietSkeslienCharles #Atria #NetGalley

This book is a delightful read that is founded on the strength of women to get things done, the love of books and libraries, and the belief that all people should have access to all books. Drawn from real events and real people, I learned a lot about the Committee for Devastated France (CARD) and the work that these women did. This story follows Jessie Carson who takes a pause from her job in 1918 at the New York Public Library to go to France and help rebuild communities that have been impacted by the war. She is passionate about children's libraries and providing help wherever she can. A secondary storyline follows Wendy, a New York Public Librarian in 1987 who has briefly learned of Jessie and wants to learn more about the woman and her war efforts.

This was all new information to me, and I'm a librarian. This is why I love historical fiction and especially when it is about strong women and, of course, books.. Who knew that Children's Libraries were introduced to a devastated France after WWI by an American librarian? Thank you to the author.

Based on the true story of an American librarian who shook up the literary landscape in France, Miss Morgan's Book Brigade details the incredible work of Jessie Carson and the American Committee for Devastated France.

This dual-timeline novel dives into a 1918 war-torn France following the women who supported the French communities just miles from the front. The women of CARD work to bring necessities to the people of the community including the joy of reading led by the inspiring effort of NYPL librarian Jessie Carson. Fast-forward nearly 70 years, NYPL librarian and aspiring author Wendy Peterson comes across the name Jessie Carson in the archives while maintaining the records of CARD. But this passing reference is all that was left, and Wendy makes it her mission to research the elusive librarian and the work she did. As she uncovers information, she finds how the paths of two librarians can converge even across time.

I absolutely love books that are based on incredible women, and this novel is no exception. The way that the author weaves in history and brings a voice to these historical women is beautiful. The reader gets a realistic sense of what life was like during World War I in France. The author not only the terror and difficulties of war but also highlights the resiliency and strength of the people and CARD in that region. Carson's impact not only on those villages but the French library system as a whole was inspiring. Wendy's determination to research and bring a voice to those women, specifically Carson, brought an additional view on the impact and inspiration stories of unstoppable women can be across time. Her story as she searches for Jessie Carson and information about CARD rounded out the novel as she found herself and her voice.

I would recommend this novel to everyone. I think Jessie Carson's story is one that should be shared with the world.

For readers who love:
-Historical Fiction
-Based on a True Story
-Determined, Unstoppable Women
-Dual Timelines & POVs

I am always pulled towards any book that is about books. Unfortunately this one just didn’t engage me. It felt a bit fluffy in terms of how easily the women won over those who had suffered terribly during the war. I’ve also read a number of books about hero women during war time so I might just be saturated on this plot.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade was such a beautifully written story. I really enjoyed the dual timeline. I left feeling inspired and wanting to learn more about Jessie Carson. This was my first read from Janet Skeslien Charles and I can’t wait to read more! Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Library lovers, this is the book for you! Filled with literary references, quotes from your favorite books, and TWO librarians, Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is an ode to book lovers everywhere. This novel tells the true story of Jessie "Kit" Carson, the librarian who shared books with the children of war torn France during WWI as part of the CARD (American Committee for Devastated France) project. Her story is told partially through Kit herself and partially through Wendy, a writer in the 80s who discovers the CARDs and vows to reveal Kit's story. Kit travels from New York to France, which has been left devastated by the Germans, and brings with her books to share with the children. Kit not only shares her love of reading with the children of France but also connects with her fellow CARDs and the entire community.

This book beautifully demonstrates the power of reading, especially in Kit's reflections and literary anecdotes. I loved hearing her quote from some of my favorite books and using those quotes to get through difficult situations. I also loved that this was a true story, and one I haven't heard before! I had never heard about the CARDs, and Skeslien Charles painted an excellent and well-researched picture of France. While I typically find dual timelines jarring, I thought this one was well done, weaving the two stories together seamlessly. Wendy's story was not as interesting, but it was interesting to hear about the CARDs in the present day.

My main challenge with this book was the dimensionality and emotions of the characters. Many of the characters felt two-dimensional (including the main characters) and their emotions felt very Pollyanna-esque, even in the face of horrible brutality. That aspect of the book made it hard to connect deeply with the book as I felt like the characters were more caricatures, lacking complex feelings. However, the historical context of Kit's story as well as the evocative setting of France during WWI (and of course all the book quotes!) definitely won me over.

If you enjoy books that share the power of books and feel-good historical novels, you would probably enjoy Miss Morgan's Book Brigade. It reminded me of the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek in all the best ways.

4/5

Thank you, NetGalley, for the arc!

An absolutely intriguing look at am important part of women's history during World War One. Jessie becomes a CARD onlut forty miles from the front lines in France. These women provided support, intelligence and a thirst for knowledge. They helped to set up thriving children's libraries. I loved learning about these incredibly brave women.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is the story of Jessie“Kit” Carson, a librarian at the New York Public Library, who gets invited to take part in a group that brought aid to the French during World War I. The group was led by Anne Morgan and Anne Murray Dike. They were known as the CARDs because of the initials of their organization in French ( Comité Americain pour les Regions Devastees de France). The organization was made up of American debutantes who helped to rebuild France. Kit Carson was assigned to rebuild the libraries.

The novel is well-written and carefully researched. It is a very readable novel if you are a lover of books and book quotes. There are many Anne of Green Gables quotes as well as quotes from other novels. It is told as a dual timeline with the other timeline being an aspiring writer in 1987. There are many parallels among the two timelines. One that stood out to me was the fact that both had critics that really affected them. As a book lover myself, I really enjoyed this novel and will now also read The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles. I’d like to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

With a dual timeline, this book of historical fiction delineates the life of Jessie Carson, a librarian from the New York Public Library. She left for France in 1918 during the Great War to join the American Committee for Devasted France. Living 40 miles from the front, these brave women (called CARDs) worked under Anne Morgan (daughter of J. P. Morgan) and Anne Murray Dike (a doctor) to help the people living in devastation and constant danger. Jessie, known as Kit, developed children’s libraries which were unheard of at the time. Wendy, in 1987, works at the NYPL and strives to be a writer. She comes across the name Jessie Carson and is determined to learn all about her. This is a fascinating and extremely well researched book, full of very brave women, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to read and learn all about them. With thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is a fascinating story about the CARDS, a group founded by heiress Anne Morgan, and their volunteer work in France during WWI.

The story follows New York Public Librarian, Jessie “Kit” Carson as she attempts to set up children’s libraries amongst utter destruction and devastation. We’re introduced to several other characters and some, like Kit, are real women who served as CARDs, while others are amalgamations.

This a dual timeline, set in 1918 France and 1980s New York where Wendy, an aspiring writer who works in the NYPL’s Remembrance department is given a box of CARD material to photograph and catalog. This box sparks her imagination and she dives into researching and sharing the women’s stories.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the advance copy.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade was a fascinating look at how the CARDs, a group of women, helped during and after World War I. The story focuses on Kit Larson who is a children’s librarian from the United States. She begins her work with traveling story times to help children heal from the war and eventually sets up libraries in towns across the country. As a children’s librarian, loved this!!

Wow what an incredible book. This book is such a beautiful book about women and libraries during the war in France. We have Jessie Carson and all the colleagues she comes to join in France to bring books and libraries to people during the war and after.
They were called the CARDS and did a whole heck of a lot of good during those rough times.
I loved the writing and how Carson talks about books and how they have shaped her. I also loved how much she talks about her mother and father and how they raised her and helped her learn through the books she read.

I liked Wendy too and her research about the CARDS and the difference they made.

This is a wonderful book and will be great for book clubs with lots to discuss. I also liked all the history and pictures at the end.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I read the previous book by Ms. Charles “ The Paris Library”, and I thoroughly enjoyed that book, so I was thrilled to be able to read this new book, and I was not disappointed. I love it when you read the first few pages of a book and you are already thoroughly engrossed, you know that you are in for a good experience, the story of Jessie “kit “ Carson, a children’s librarian from NYC who volunteers to go to Paris during the end of World War I to help rebuild the library and to read to children was an engaging, educational read. I was unaware of the CARDS group founded by JP Morgan’s daughter Anne and her partner, it was enlightening to read about this group and the help that they provided to the people of France. The dual timeline of the past with a present day young librarian, writer Wendy Peterson who comes across the info about the CARDS while archiving added an additional story line. I would highly recommend this book, I have great appreciation and respect for the author’s time and research in writing this book. I think the characters were all interesting and I enjoyed the character development. I look forward to another book by this author.

A wonderful tribute to a group of women who worked tirelessly during WWII to help the people of northeast France to survive the destruction of their villages and farms. Most importantly, "Kit" being the real life librarian who helped to remind everyone of the need for stories to brighten our lives.

Ann Morgan recruited Jessie "Kit" Carson to join the American Committee for Devastated France; members called themselves CARDS.

The point of view changes throughout the novel between Jessie "Kit" Carson supporting French citizens with books/libraries/humanitarian aid in WWI and current day budding writer who works at a NY library (who stumbles upon the CARDS.

Author Janet Skeslien Charles did a LOT of research in writing Miss Morgan's Book Brigade. The Author's Note is several pages and contains many pictures.

Quite a while ago I read another book about college women who when to France to assist, but I can't remember the title of the book. The topic amazes me that women were providing humanitarian aid so close to the front lines that they assisted in moving civilians to Paris and other areas when the Germans broke through the front line. This book was also very, very good; rounding up, but somewhere between 4 and 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to (yet again) a new to me author (although The Paris Library - also by Janet Skeslien Charles - has been on my To Be Read list). Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Atria Books for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Miss Morgan's Book Brigade in exchange for an honest review. Publication Date is 30 Apr 2024.

Resilent and brave...describe the f2male characters you’ll meet in this historically based book. I enjoyed how the author weaved the 2 storylines together. The story of Cards is a fascinating one especially if you like books about books and libraries like me!

This is a fascinating historical fiction with dual timelines focused on Jessie ‘Kit’ Carson- an appointed American librarian sent to war torn France in 1918 to rebuild villages during and after German occupation as part of the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD). Frequently left out of history lessons, the CARDs, led by Anne Morgan and sponsored by her grandfather JP Morgan and similar donors replanted fruit trees, distributed seeds for grain, oats, livestock, clothing, and household items, they helped thousands evacuate when the Germans pushed past the “red zone”, and they instilled hope that communities could once again flourish. At the time, libraries in France, run by an all male staff were for the wealthy and the scholars, unattainable for the general public and especially nonexistent after the German raids. Kit believed that the children in these areas had no “respite for daily hardships” they were “parched for books, for the spark of imagination that stories bring… though village children processed few material things , they had imaginations that needed to be nourished”. With many buildings in disrepair and minimal funding for anything aside from essentials, Kit created “mobile” libraries, bringing books to children and adults in areas that likely had not seen a book in years. You experience hope as these desperate families gradually began trusting Kit and her colleagues and began working towards a new future. I loved seeing through Kit and her colleagues Breckie (founder of the frontier nursing service), Lewis(debutante turned mechanic), Marcella (15 year old French villager who joins the CARDs), the two Annes ( head of CARDs), Cookie (the group’s cook), and several of the village widows, the change in the over 160 villages they aided, but also the sense of community with each other and the French citizens. This story is woven with a present day graduate student “Wendy” who uncovers the CARD’s story while filing historical information at her part time job at the NYPL. It is Wendy’s dream to become a published author, but as the novel progresses, her desire to share the CARD’s story and impact becomes greater.

There is a word used in the book “finifugal” which is described to mean the sorrow at the end of something, and wow was I sad to see the ending of this book. I wanted to know more about the lives of the CARD women, know how more about communities they build and the libraries that Kit changed. I found myself scouring google for more information on these women- wishing more people knew about these unsung heroines. I would also like to point out I knew some of Mary Breckenridge’s history from a project in nursing school , but I had no idea the depth to which she volunteered in WW1 France prior to founding the Frontier Nursing Service.

Thank you @atriabooks and @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I fear I am becoming too predictable - 4 stars for this historical fiction novel (check) that is a book about books (check) featuring a fearless little known woman (check). I really enjoyed this and honestly wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did since I didn't love the author's previous novel.

This book is a dual timeline story. We follow Jessie Carson, a children's librarian who travels to war torn France during WWI in the hopes of providing children with books as an escape from their lives. In the 1980s, we watch as Wendy Peterson, an aspiring writer and NYPL employee who learns about Jessie and her involvement in the "Cards" - American Committee for Devastated France, started by heiress Anne Morgan.

I honestly don't think we really needed Wendy's story as Jessie's adventures as a salaried wartime "volunteer,' youth librarian, and newly in love woman were more than engaging. The author's description of war and its victims was honest and touching. Jessie's trajectory as a quiet, often stymied employee into a strong leader was impressive to behold.

The second half of the book really took off and I couldn't put it down at that point. Four stars!

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade was another knock out since The Paris Library. I loved both of Janet Skeslien Charles’ novels so much. I am a sucker for books about books, libraries, and bookstores.

This novel reminds us how incredibly important books and libraries are. Books save people during difficult times; they bring people together. It is highlighted so well in Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade.

The characters reminded me that strong women working together makes a more equitable life and to not stop fighting. These librarians during WWI were heroes. Jessie “Kit” Carson was ahead of the curve; she fought for literature to be in the hands of everyone, no matter age or socioeconomic status. It does make me ponder with sadness that people in 2023 are still fighting for the right to read novels with all the book bans.

I give this novel 4.5.

Thank you to the Janet Skeslien Charles, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for a review.