Miss Morgan's Troop

1917: heiress Anne Morgan founds the American Committee for Devastated France to help with reconstruction, and hires Jessie "Kit" Carson, from the New York Public Library, to create something unprecedented in France: children's libraries.

After the war, Carson continues her work by transforming ambulances into bookmobiles and training the first French women librarians. Before disappearing without a trace.

1987: aspiring writer Wendy Peterson stumbles upon a reference to Jessie Carson in the NYPL archives. Fascinated, she begins her research and discovers that her life and that of the young woman are surprisingly linked.

Inspired by the extraordinary and little-known story of these women decorated with the Croix de Guerre, Miss Morgan's Brigade is a vibrant tribute to the power of reading and the courage to make a difference.

✨ Review from La Librairie du Grimoire Ancien

Following the success of "The Paris Library", Janet Skeslien Charles confirms her talent for resurrecting forgotten figures in library history with "Miss Morgan's Brigade". The author reveals a fascinating and little-known aspect of the post-World War I era: the creation of the first children's libraries in France by American women decorated with the Croix de Guerre. The character of Jessie "Kit" Carson embodies this generation of pioneering women who transformed their passion for books into a humanitarian mission, bringing the light of reading to regions devastated by war. The brilliant idea of transforming ambulances into bookmobiles testifies to the pragmatic ingenuity that characterizes true social innovators. Skeslien Charles masterfully weaves together two narrative timelines, creating a dialogue between 1917 and 1987 that explores themes of transmission, memory, and legacy. Wendy Peterson's quest to find traces of Jessie Carson becomes a captivating investigation that reveals how our lives are mysteriously connected across time. The author celebrates the civilizing role of libraries, these spaces that, even amidst ruins, offer hope and reconstruction through culture. The training of the first French women librarians constitutes a foundational moment in the history of the profession, highlighting how women were essential actors in the democratization of access to reading. The novel subtly explores the tension between public recognition and historical erasure, questioning why certain heroines disappear from official narratives. Skeslien Charles's writing, well-documented and moving, pays tribute to these women who believed in the transformative power of books to heal a traumatized nation. An essential novel that resonates deeply with our era, where reconstruction and access to culture remain vital issues. An indispensable read for all who believe that libraries are acts of resistance and hope. This book finds a particular resonance at Le Grimoire Ancien, where we honor those who made books instruments of reconstruction and freedom.

Translated from American English by Denyse Beaulieu.