Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade

Charles (The Paris Library) follows up her bestselling debut with a dramatic story of war and literature in WWI France. In January 1918, Jessie Carson, a librarian for the New York Public Library, accepts an invitation from Anne Morgan, the daughter of J.P. Morgan and founder of the American Committee for Devastated France (“CARD,” after the French name), to help establish a library for civilians living near the front lines in northern France. Overcoming worries that she won’t be up to the task, Jessie devotes herself to distributing books, especially to local children. A parallel narrative set in 1987 follows aspiring author Wendy Peterson, whose day job involves scanning old documents into the NYPL’s microfiche system. When Wendy comes across a box of CARD records, she’s instantly intrigued by the women who volunteered for the organization and determines to tell their story. Wendy’s interest is especially piqued by Jessie, as it’s clear from the records that she didn’t return to the NYPL after the war. Charles packs Jessie’s story with emotion, particularly in scenes where the librarian shares a French copy of her beloved Anne of Green Gables with a French girl, and when she takes comfort in her own love of reading during moments of despair. Bibliophiles are in for a treat. Agent: Heather Jackson, Heather Jackson Literary. (Apr.)