Miss Morgan's Book Brigade

A Novel

By: Janet Skeslien Charles

Narrated by: Marin Ireland, Sarah Gadon, Jackie Sanders, Cassandra Campbell

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

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).

©2024 Janet Skeslien Charles (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

What a great escape.

I loved the narration and the flow between past and present. The French voices by the narrator were excellent!

So very good

i listen to a lot of books and every now and again you find a gem.
When telling people about the story I described the writing style to a beautiful singer who’s voice and heart paint such a picture you are drawn in.
Well that is what happened with this story... this a one that I will never forget...!

A genuinely beautiful book so worthy to read as well as listen to on Audible

This author has written another masterpiece. It was an absolute pleasure to read this story about extraordinary women. The addition of the mention of so many books I remember reading in my childhood could not have pleased me more. Mention of the precious dog warmed my heart. This author has worked hard to research a story from the past and entertain readers royally. Rereading and listening to this story again is on my to do list. I should have known this book would be the rich read that it is. It exceeded my expectations. Readers will be missing out if they pass up the opportunity to read this exceptionally exquisite book. Thank you, Janet Skeslien Charles for the hard work,time,and effort you put into the writing of this book.

Hero’s Among Us All

Never underestimate to power of the Librarian,.. I throughly enjoyed this novel. Absolutely heart healing and thought provoking to help bring hearts together.

Easy to listen to and flowed well.

Enjoyed the book very much except for the modern morals and ideas for the CARDS. Maybe a little more understanding of the time period. Dog wormer for flu in WW1, really.

Just okay. Sarah Gadon narrating Wendy is not enjoyable

I love a good library story. I like history. So I enjoyed this book. It didn’t blow me away, but it helped to pass a summer afternoon. Marin
Ireland, narrating Kit, is a joy to listen to. My American ears think her French accent is lovely. Sarah Gadon, who narrates Wendy, however, is not in her league, in my opinion, and took away from the story. It sounds like a generic babysitter is reading a book to kids and is bored and distracted. I enjoyed learning more about the CARDS.