The Librarians of Rue de Picardie: From the bestselling author, a powerful, moving wartime page-turner...

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Janet Skeslien Charles

The Librarians of Rue de Picardie

From the bestselling author, a powerful, moving wartime page-turner based on real events

Janet Skeslien Charles

$24.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English

Headline Review
08 April 2025

The New York Times bestselling author returns with a moving new novel based on the true story of a New York librarian determined to bring books to the children of war-torn France. An instant USA Today bestseller.

'A rich, glorious life-affirming ode to the power of books and female solidarity.' KATE THOMPSON

'A wonderful story about the power books have not only to inspire, but also to rescue and restore.' RUTH HOGAN

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Under what was left of the roof of the ruined cottage, a girl with pigtails perched on a pile of rubble, hunched over a book...

1918: As the Great War rages, Jessie Carson leaves the New York Public Library for the American Committee for Devastated France. Joining the women rebuilding French communities, Jessie strives to establish something new - children's libraries. She turns ambulances into bookmobiles and trains the first French female librarians. Then she disappears.

1987: Librarian Wendy Peterson stumbles across a reference to Jessie Carson in the archives. Consumed by her story, Wendy learns that she and the elusive librarian have more in common than the NYPL. Wendy's obsession leads to their paths converging in surprising ways across time.
*Published under the title Miss Morgan's Book Brigade in the US
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⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ reviews from the readers who adore THE LIBRARIANS OF RUE DE PICARDIE

'Beautifully written... unforgettable!'

'I love books about libraries and books. I will be thinking of these brave women for a long time to come'

'Inspiring'

'A great book for book-club discussions'

'A beautiful story of female courage, friendship and the power of books'

By: Janet Skeslien Charles
Imprint: Headline Review
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm,
ISBN: 9781035417902
ISBN 10: 1035417901
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 08 April 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Janet Skeslien Charles is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Paris Library. Her work has been translated into thirty-eight languages. She has spent a decade researching Jessie Carson at the Morgan Library, the New York Public Library, and archives across France. Her shorter work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, the Sydney Morning Herald, Literary Hub, and the anthology Montana Noir.