Astounding historical fiction of the group of international women headed by the millionaire Anne Morgan from New York and Dr. Anne Murray Dike from Scotland who came to northern France very close to the fighting area during WWI. They and their group were known as CARD who sought to bring relief to those striving to survive in this war-torn area. To this group was added Jessie Carson, a New York Public Librarian, who revolutionized libraries in France by creating children libraries and open shelving of the books. The dedication of this group who went to situations to help these communities are incredible stories of human dignity. The author’s notes are not to be missed; she is also the author of “The Paris Library.” Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an Advance Reader Copy: this is my honest review.

I haven't read to many WW1 books but do love a good book set in a library. I think it's beautifully written. The author delivered a well-researched story based on real characters who volunteer to help in devastated France. The quotes and themes was really enjoyable. It's overall an amazing read that I would recommend to anyone.

As a retired librarian and lover of historical fiction, this book was right up my alley. Even better were the notes at the end that profiled the actual individuals that inhabited this story.. BTW, if you use the search terms “library” and historical fiction” in Google or GoodReads you may be amazed at how many books inhabit this category,and as I skim the list, I was not too surprised to see how many I have already read.
This is in part a straightforward recounting of a determined group of women from America who volunteered to travel to France to support the French citizenry during World War I. Although generally women of means and social standing, there were a few who earned a salary and started their service as outsiders. By the end of the war, shared experiences and mutual respect had formed them into a cohesive unit.
The Miss Morgan of the title was Anna Morgan, the daughter of millionaire industrialist JP Morgan who used her influence and wealth to work wonders among the ravaged villages of northern France.
The focus of the story, however, was on outlier Jesse ‘Kit” Carson who left her position at The New York Public Library to establish something unknown in France — children’s libraries. With determination and ingenuity she reshaped the culture of social stratification in libraries, opening the profession to women, introducing the concept of open shelves and remaking the dusty old book depositories into welcoming centers for people of all ages and classes to learn and enjoy the world of books.
This account of the world at war is told in part as a mystery story solved by a young woman in 1987. The alternating chapters make an entertaining variation on straight history and gives the reader insights into the research process. It also makes these historic figures come alive in ways a dry text could not. Reading “the rest of the story” in the end notes is really a gift to the readers.
All in all, this was a fascinating story of bravery and determination made even better knowing it was true.

This historical novel of WWI was based primarily on Jessie "Kit" Carson and her time in France with the CARDs (Le Comitè Americain por les règion devastèes). The Cards was founded by Anne Morgan and was composed other debs from NYC who volunteered to help out the survivors with medical assistance, farming, and other support in an area that was nearly totally devastated by the Germans. The author described the fear, sadness, and loss of the villagers, several of whom remained in the shells of their homes in spite of being nearly destroyed, and the joy, camaraderie and friendships that developed by the women reaching out to them.
Jessie Carson, brought the concept of a children's library to France and weekly story hours for the children. She also oversaw the conversion of ambulances into bookmobiles after fighting was done, and brought books to the many villages in the Red Zone. As a final act in France, she established a library training program for girls and women in Paris which taught women cataloguing, book selection - a groundbreaking achievement into a field previously filled by men.
In addition to this story is another story based in 1987 about an aspiring writer who discovers Jessie Carson and researches her life, with the intent to develop a book about her time in the War overseas and her contribution to library science.
I could not put the book down. The characters were fascinating, the writing was engaging, and the story both tragic and uplifting. I am thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for offering this treasure to me and will gladly recommend it to my book clubs. I think it is a book that anyone who likes books should read.

The main story is based upon the true achievements of Jessie "Kit" Carson, a pioneer in library science. Kit left the NYPL to volunteer in France during World War I. The book covers the experiences of Kit and the other Cards (volunteers) as well as the experiences of the French people during the War. The historical facts were well researched, and if you're into historical fiction this is a book to consider.

A parallel timeline in 1987 involves an employee of the NYPL who a fledgling writer and becomes interested in the Cards, especially Kit. This portion of the story rounded out the book as a whole.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and the publisher.

DNF Just couldn't get into this book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, but this was a first that I did not like. I read about 40% of the book and felt nothing had happened and I wasn't sure anything was going to happen. I was hoping a historical fiction book about a librarian in France would be interesting. Character development was slow. I was just bored.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book was your typical well written historical world war fiction but with a twist! Instead of following a heroine spy behind enemy lines it follows a much more subtle heroine, a librarian who is trying to bring joy to children in the red zone of France during World War I, one book at a time! I loved Jessie “Kit” Carson’s quest to gift joy through literature to these children who have seen nothing but war, sadness and destruction. I also loved the other half of the story which followed Wendy Peterson and her journey to track down Jesse’s story through any means possible and showcasing how difficult it is to get the stories of the average, non famous woman. The two women’s stories weave together flawlessly in this beautiful novel.

Fascinating historical fiction! Based on the true story of Jesse "kit" Carson, and American librarian who heads off to war-torn France, stays longer than her original 2-year tour, and ends up being an invaluable part of the French library system. I had never heard of CARDs and this was a fascinating book that I learned a lot from. This story is told from dual timelines, two women, both working for the NYPL, two eras. Not going to lie though, we found out what happened to Kit but, I really kind of want to know how Wendy's story ends??

This was a historical fiction on a subject I had never previously heard about, which made it interesting. However, the book switched between the timelines of a researcher and the subject she was researching, and I found the timeline of the researcher a bit dull. If you want to find out more about CARDS during WWI, or if you enjoy books about librarians, I’d recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade byJanet Skeslien Charles in exchange for a honest review.This is a historical fiction book based on the true lives of brave women who during WW1 traveled to France to bring books to an area of France that had been decimated by war.Told during WW1 from the prospective of Kit Carson , a librarian, who came from the New York Public to help build libraries in France towards the end of world War 1. Faced with violence, illness and death Kit and her fellow “ Cards” persevere.?The book also highlights the life of Wendy who in 1987 is working as a librarian also at The New York Public Library.She becomes fascinated by Kit ‘s life and wants to bring her life alive in a book..This is the story of brave women who fought to get their voices heard and things done during a time when women’s views didn’t matter.Great story quotes throughout the book.

A beautiful read with great characters! I couldn’t put it down. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced read!

3.5 ⭐️

<i> 1918: 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. Upon arrival, Jessie strives to establish something that the French have never seen—children’s libraries. She turns ambulances into bookmobiles and trains the first French female librarians. Then she disappears.

1987: When 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. In her obsessive research, she discovers that she and the elusive librarian have more in common than their work at New York’s famed library, but she has no idea their paths will converge in surprising ways across time. </i>

This was clearly a well-researched work of historical fiction, filled with lots of pertinent and enlightening details. I unfortunately struggled to connect with the characters and story, but am still glad I read this tale and learned a bit along the way.

Thank you Janet Skeslien Charles, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is written in two different time periods. The actual book brigade during World War I and current day at The New York Public Library. I loved reading about the women who stepped in to take care of people devastated by the war around them. Especially how books helped them get thru their struggles. I wasn’t as interested in the current day character researching these women. Seemed unnecessary. But overall a great read.

I enjoyed this book about Jessie "Kit" Carson and the women working for the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD in French) in World War I. The author correctly assumed in writing this that I, at least, had never heard of this group and didn't know anything about their contributions to France, so I was glad to learn something new. Kit and the other members of CARD featured were formidable women, protecting the people of rural France, helping them rebuild during and after the war, and standing up against the traditional views of their time that women shouldn't drive, smoke, or be librarians. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and true stories of strong, pioneering women.

This novel about a little known aspect of WW II history had me captivated from the start. As I read along I really enjoyed how the contemporary time was woven into the historical. This is one of my favorite war novels and I read a lot from this time period!

Thanks to #netgalley, and the publisher, #atriabooks for this ebook to read and review. All opinions are my own.

An ode to the power of storytelling, and a love letter to librarians! Based on the true story of American librarian Jessie “Kit” Carson and the women-led “CARDS” who provided aid to devastated portions of France during World War I, Janet Skeslien Charles’ Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is a beautifully researched and scribed dual timeline tale. And at its heart, amid the backdrop of both the horrors of World War I and the challenges of life in New York City in 1987, is the premise that reading is fundamental.

Kudos to the author for illuminating the courageous and truly awe inspiring feats of Kit Carson and the CARDS in such a compelling, fascinating manner as well as for highlighting the vital and soul nourishing role of librarians. For me, this story was at once more engaging and more insightful than Skeslien Charles’ much lauded The Paris Library.

Highly recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to Atria for the privilege of a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

I was excited from the moment I saw this delightful cover. The topic and approach was very fresh - an area of history I do not know much about. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed how the author told this story using two timelines. First, in 1918, during the Great War, as Jessie Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library to serve on the American Committee for Devastated France. Millionaire Anne Morgan financed this program. Jessie was shocked that France had never seen a children’s library before. I loved how creative Jessie was, converting ambulances into bookmobiles. I appreciated how the author included additional information in the back of the book, about these brave and innovative ladies who transformed the library system.

The alternative timeline begins in 1987, when Wendy Peterson, an NYPL librarian and aspiring writer, discovered Jessie Carson’s name in the archives. Wendy dives further to learn more about this exceptional woman, who worked at the same library she did. “These women received the Croix de Guerr medal for courage under fire, Morgan’s Book Brigade is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit, the power of literature, and ultimately, the courage it takes to make changes.”

This is a true-life story that captivated me from the start. This is a fantastic novel of brave women doing whatever it takes to build a library that everybody can use. It made me see with new eyes all libraries offer.

I admired the authors’ extensive research and attention to detail, which helped bring the characters and their situation to life. I enjoyed the author’s photographs and additional information about the Book Brigade’s prominent women. This is an incredible story that I couldn’t put down. I look forward to discussing this book about these courageous and amazing women at book club. This is a must-read for all book lovers! Thanks to Atria books for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

Solid 4 stars! I loved the author’s The Paris Library and was eagerly looking forward to reading her latest offering, and I’m happy to say that I was not disappointed. Well-researched and informative, this is an exceptional work of historical fiction that I would not hesitate to recommend.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is a story that celebrates the power of books, courage, compassion, and community during The Great War.

Millionaire and philanthropist Anne Morgan (daughter of JP Morgan) founded a group of international women (American Committee for Devastated France…also known as CARD) to help rebuild French communities during WWI. In 1918, Jessie Carson takes a leave of absence from the New York Public Library to work for the organization in France and she implements innovative methods during her tenure. A dual timeline in 1987 introduces us to Wendy Peterson who stumbles across a reference to Jessie Carson in the archives of the New York Public Library and is consumed with learning more about her.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is told in dual timelines (1918 and 1987). The historical time is especially engaging as I learned about the CARDs, the founders, and the book services to the French community during The Great War.

The main characters are Jessie “Kit” Carson (1918) and Wendy (1987). Anne Morgan is a background character in the WWI timeline. Jessie’s story is the most compelling for me for several reasons: I don’t know anything about Anne Morgan’s organization; I appreciate WWI versus WWII for a change; I adore reading about the power of books to change lives; I love a dynamic and spunky main character; I appreciate hearing the details about Jessie’s innovations involving the library and bookmobile. I’m not sure we need Wendy’s timeline. Although, there is some suspense for readers and for Wendy as we find out what happened to Jessie Carson. I love historical fiction for its role in telling untold stories.

A few thoughtful themes include resilience, survival, compassion, war trauma, the power of books, women supporting women, going above and beyond, and loss. Yes, there are small sides of romance to delight readers.

Content Consideration: tragedies of war, grief

I think fans of WWI historical fiction, books about books, and stories of real-life inspirational women will enjoy Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade. This might be an enjoyable and discussable book club book as well.

Thanks #NetGalley @AtriaBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #MissMorgansBookBrigade upon my request. All opinions are my own.