This historical novel based on a true story was well-written and interesting when it was not distracted by the obligatory love interest for both women that was anachronistic in both cases. I liked the dual storyline and felt that Wendy, the 80s writer, was true to her timeline as Jessie was to her wartime scene. I would have enjoyed the book if I had not been distracted with bedroom scenes that didn't fit.


I will not be sharing this review on social media since my own rule is to share only positive reviews.

This is from the author of The Paris Library. The story is during WW1 in 1918 and Jessie Kit Carson a NY Public Library employee, joins the American Committee for Devastated France (Cards) which was organized by Anne Morgan a millionaire the daughter of JP Morgan, and Dr. Anne Murray Duke. They call their membership the Cards. Kit is stationed in northern France in a bombed-out chateau in a town called Blerancourt, which is very close to the Red Zone and the war. She is hired to bring libraries to the war-torn French children. She is heroic, and emphatic and becomes a source of comfort and knowledge to the people of the area. The story has a bit of romance, along with grief and loss. We follow her life over a couple of years and what she and some of the other members do during her time in France. It is told in dual timelines, 1918-1920 and 1987 when a young woman researching Kit and the Cards is writing a book about her.
This is another story of the untold women in war and how they impact lives. It is a small glimpse of her and her life. I enjoyed the character of Kit and the storyline is interesting, but I was missing something important, and I can’t tell you what that is, other than its missing impactfulness. I enjoyed the book, but unfortunately will not remember it. I think you will enjoy this book if you like stories with strong female relationships, just a small bit of romance, no spice, and a great representation of feminism.

I found this book to be a bit simple. I think it would be best suited for the young adult audience, rather than adults. While I am a fan of Janet S. Charles and enthusiastically shared The Paris Library with my book club, I probably wouldn't recommend her new release to my circle of friends.

i really liked the dual timeline story. it reminded me of giver of stars, with a book centred effort to help a small population of people.

I do love historical novels and especially enjoyed Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skesein Charles . This novel shows the power of women and how they overcome their high society station in life to risk their lives to fight during the Great War. These women bonded during their time in France and achieved their dreams. Jessie who was a librarian in the United States who left her family to go the Red Zone to help establish a library in the devastated battlefields areas. This book reveals how women showed their strength and power to overcome fear, and to help villagers and children against warfare. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this novel.

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade tells two stories of small town girls who take risks to achieve their dreams bolstered by their love for books.

Wendy Peterson, working in the New York Public Library in the late 80s finds a kindred spirit in Kit Carson, a librarian who traveled to worn torn France in 1917 and gave hope to the French people through books. I loved how Kit frequently quoted books (some of my faves like Anne of Green Gables) and would escape to the library in her mind.

Kit joined the American Committee for Civilian Relief (in French, CARD, the members called themselves Cards) founded by JP Morgan’s daughter, Anne Morgan. As Wendy continues her research of the Cards, her own story unfolds too.

Although much of the novel is set in a WWI backdrop, there’s a hopeful, compassionate and inspiring tone. Both timelines are entertaining and compelling, full of rich, realistic characters. I highly recommend this book especially for readers looking for WWI historical fiction with female protagonists.

This is a well written historical fiction account of the life of Jessie Carson, an American librarian who was known for her work in establishing children’s libraries in war-torn France as well as training young French women to become librarians and introduces bookmobiles. It also tells of CARDA, an initiative headed by American philanthropist Ann Morgan and the other women who traveled to help rebuild France in the aftermath of the Great War.
The story is told in two timelines, one in 1918 France and one in 1987 New York City. In 1918 Jessie is traveling to CARD headquarters to join fellow volunteers in hopes of sharing her love of books and reading with the children but she is unprepared for what she faces in the sights and sounds coming from the frontlines.
In 1987 we follow NYPL Wendy who finds several old CARD bulletins and when she finds some about Jessie she is inspired to find as much as she can about her and her work which leads her to reevaluate her own life and priorities.
Strong characters, a compelling backdrop and the past and present being woven together well made for an enjoyable reading experience. It was as enjoyable as it was educational.
Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

This was an extraordinary book! I knew nothing about the CARDs - women who came to France to help the devastated people during and after World War I. The true story is mostly about Jessie "Kit" Carson and the rest of the volunteer women organized by Anne Morgan (of the New York Morgans).

Although Kit's mission is to set up a library, she and the others help the families with rebuilding their houses, farms, and spirit. I loved all the characters and I learned so much.

There are occasional interspersed "alternate timeline" chapters set in 1987 at the New York Public Library, fictionally describing how a young creative writing student discovers the CARDs and decides to research and write a book about them. At first I didn't see the purpose of these interruptions in the narrative, but by the end they made sense.

{3.5 stars}

Thanks to Atria Books for the gifted copy. All opinions below are my own.

This story takes place in two timelines: during WWI in France and in the 1980s in NYC. It is about two librarians passionate about stories and their ability to inspire and heal. Jessie has gone to France to support JP Morgan's daughter's initiative American Committee for Devastated France. She believes her job is to rebuild a devastated library but is quickly embroiled in the realities of war finding so many people she can help and also finding love. Wendy is researching Jessie years later.

This is a nice piece of historical fiction that highlights a piece of history that is little known. I didn't love this one as much as I loved The Paris Library, I’m not sure why. It has lots of heart but perhaps was missing intrigue? I didn’t connect with the modern storyline at all.

I enjoyed learning about the real life American women's relief force in France during and after WWI. It's contradictory to describe a book as a feel-good war novel, but this certainly had both elements. The CARDs, do-good American volunteers, were there to provide support and relief, and American Jessie Carson was brought in as their librarian. The story had some elements that reminded me of The Giver of Stars -- sharing literacy and books with impoverished communities, and a group of volunteers there to support the work. In this book the story alternated between WWI and 1980s NYC, where a library employee discovers the lost story of Jessie and the CARDs. For me, the 1980s plot line didn't add much to the book (especially the romance element -- why?), but I did enjoy the parts set in France. For me a solid historical , women-driven novel, good for anyone who likes women's fiction and historical fiction.

Based on the true story of Jessie Carson,- an American librarian who left an indelible mark on France during WWI. The novel celebrates strong women, friendship,and the magic of books.
Many thanks to Atria and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a great historical fiction. I loved the Paris Library, so I was excited for this one and it didn't disappoint. It was a hard read especially with everything going on right now, but it was good.

Well executed dual timeline story (1980s and WWI) that drew connections between an employee at the NYPL and a real-life war library in France. I enjoyed the segments at the NYPL, especially after just having visited and toured. I was unaware that a US-based philanthropist endeavored to support the rebuilding of libraries in rural France and this book turned out to be educational as well as enjoyable.

What a relief - a book about World War I. Oddly, the characters are people I might actually know, even tho they lived more than 100 years ago.

I really enjoyed reading about the CARDs. The duAL POVs and the dual timelines were the perfect way to tell this story. There were parts of the this story I absolutely could not put down. There were other parts that moved slowly, but it ultimately kept me reading to the end. The ending was a little abrupt, but I liked the snippets afterward about the real life women who inspired the characters.

This book is an intricate story of a young woman who finds herself in Europe during the throws of World War I. She is there to assist in the protection and building of a library. The story is told thru the eyes of a young woman who finds the information fascinating and decides to further research the story. While I am interested in the story of the era I did not find this book as interesting as I had hoped. For those who have interest in libraries that were created and maintained and how the wealthy spent their money during the tragic years of WWI this book will have an appeal.

Jessie Carson goes to France with CARD during World War I to help villagers rebuild after the enemy has left. Her role is to help establish a library.

In a dual timeline, Wendy has found an article about CARD and is trying to find out everything she can about them.

This book was fascinating. I loved reading Kit’s story and a behind the scenes peek at the library from Wendy’s perspective. I loved how the CARDs worked together for the good of the French people.

Side note: I didn’t realize this was the same author of The Paris Library, which I read and loved.

#Netgalley #MissMorgansBookBrigade

This book was well-written and strongly character- driven. It was encouraging to read a book that showed women being empowered at a time when that was not the norm. The book was set during WWI, in France- a time in history that is not written about as widely.
I was immediately drawn into the story as it was about books and libraries, two of my favorite things! Jessie. “Kit” Carson was a librarian at the NY Public Library and was offered an opportunity to travel to war-ravaged France to become a member of CARD, a group of women who were dedicated to bringing books and opportunities to read to the war-torn people in the countryside of France. This was based on a true story of Jessie Carson and her contribution to the development of libraries in France. Because of the setting the reader learns a lot about how the war affected the citizens of France. There were numerous secondary characters that were well- developed and some romantic relationships as well! A highly recommended book!
This book was given to me by Net Galley, the publisher and the writer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

any time the setting is nyc, i am in. i liked the dual timeline set-up, i liked how the library was the present day setting, especially with the ability the author has to write atmospheric settings very clearly.

thank you to netgalley and atria books for the electronic advanced reader copy of this book.
good historical fiction is such a pleasure to read. we get a focused mirror into the past and we get a good story, too. miss morgan's book brigade does that well. the focus is books, of course. it's about libraries, in all shapes and sizes, from the NYPL (new york public library, the library of my childhood) to a shelf and restored ambulance in war torn france during world war one. there are two time lines, one during that war and one during the year 1987, at this iconic library. this book is about love and loss, it's about standing up for what you believe in, and it's about allowing one's heart to open, even after painful and difficult times. this is also about women finding ways to fully contribute and be acknowledged for their hard work. this is not an easy book but it is a truly worthwhile read.