Miss Morgan's Book Brigade: A Novel
From the New York Times bestselling author Janet Skeslien Charles and based on the true story of Jessie Carson--the American librarian who changed the literary landscape of France--this is "a moving tale of sacrifice, heroism, and inspired storytelling immersed in the power of books to change our lives" (Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author). 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 destroyed 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. Based on the extraordinary little-known history of the women who received the Croix de Guerre medal for courage under fire, Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is a "rich, glorious, life-affirming tribute to literature and female solidarity. Simply unforgettable" (Kate Thompson, author of The Wartime Book Club).
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Community Reviews
“The volunteers referred to themselves as Cards, and in this book you’ll find a Report Card, a Recipe Card (Cookie), a Calling Card, and a Wild Card (Sidonie). Jessie “Kit” Carson, my Library Card, stole my heart.” Janet Skeslien Charles’ Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is “another little-known story of incredible women who faced the dangers of war to share their love of literature and their belief in books as bridges” to bring about change. “These women–telephone operators and debutantes, librarians and sopranos–became ambassadors of solidarity toward the French people.”
“With her model library in the north, Jessie ‘Kit’ Carson changed the course of French libraries. By introducing childrens’ sections, she improved the lives and education of French kids. She not only brought them stories but created a haven where they knew they’d be welcome, at a time when people believed that children should be neither seen nor heard. She feminized the profession of librarian, hitherto only for men” with her “Wild West Library School.”
Jessie Carson was the patron saint of readers, and the Cards were “les patronnes,” lady bosses. “We Cards were back to rebuilding homes and lives, one brick, one shingle, one scone, one conversation at a time…Spending time with the Cards has made me understand the importance of friendship. They…have restored my belief in people’s goodness.”
Charles draws her inspiration “from the heroines I read about in books but also from the ones I know in real life…the strong, brave people who have come before us…to lighten our load…We can’t know what impact we will have on others, but by sharing stories, reaching out, and creating community, we can make life easier for others and for ourselves. We can help and inspire the next generation.”
“My favorite word was ‘finifugal,’ sorrow at the end of something, whether it was the end of summer, the end of a book, or spending time with soldiers who’d become dear friends. As with the best books, endings are also beginnings…I devoured the whole thing in one sitting… ‘Unput-downable!’ How’s that for a blurb?”
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