Have You Ever Heard of Jessie Carson?

 

Today we move to World War I  and the adventures of the American Committee for  Devastated France (CARD).  This book appealed to me because it is about a librarian.  I also love history!  Author Janet Skeslien Charles is a new author to me.  I hope you are ready to go to war-torn France. 

Synopsis: 

“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.” (amazon.com)

My Thoughts: 

I initially really enjoyed this book because it appealed to me, as the main characters are librarians.  I also thought it was interesting that the author told Jessie’s story through a first-person point of view.  I loved how the story showed growth in both Jessie's and Wendy’s story arcs.  I also loved the character of Tom. (I won’t give away his role in the story) I am not a huge fan of the World War I time period.  I enjoyed learning about the American Committee for Devastated France. The pacing became slow for me during the middle of the book.  Overall, it was an enjoyable read, and I would read more by this author. 

Rating: 

4/5

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