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Highlights
- The Paris Library meets The Flight Girls in this captivating historical novel about the sacrifice and courage necessary to live a life of honor, inspired by the first female volunteer librarians during World War I and the first women accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy.
- About the Author: Addison Armstrong graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2020 with degrees in elementary education and language and literacy studies and received her master's degree from Vanderbilt in Reading Education in 2021.
- 384 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Historical
Description
About the Book
"The Paris Library meets The Flight Girls in this captivating historical novel about the sacrifice and courage necessary to live a life of honor, inspired by the first female volunteer librarians during World War I and the first women accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy"--Book Synopsis
The Paris Library meets The Flight Girls in this captivating historical novel about the sacrifice and courage necessary to live a life of honor, inspired by the first female volunteer librarians during World War I and the first women accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy. Two women. One secret. A truth worth fighting for. 1918. Timid and shy Emmaline Balakin lives more in books than her own life. That is, until an envelope crosses her desk at the Dead Letter Office bearing a name from her past, and Emmaline decides to finally embark on an adventure of her own--as a volunteer librarian on the frontlines in France. But when a romance blooms as she secretly participates in a book club for censored books, Emmaline will need to find more courage within herself than she ever thought possible in order to survive. 1976. Kathleen Carre is eager to prove to herself and to her nana that she deserves her acceptance into the first coed class at the United States Naval Academy. But not everyone wants female midshipmen at the Academy, and after tragedy strikes close to home, Kathleen becomes a target. To protect herself, Kathleen must learn to trust others even as she discovers a secret that could be her undoing.Review Quotes
One of Life Savvy's 22 Books to Beat the Heat This August "Shining light upon the work of the original war librarians, Addison Armstrong not only offers a tribute to the power of books and libraries, but also manifests the unconventional lives of two women separated by fifty years, both determined to defy society's limitations and forge futures that break the mold. Emmaline and Kathleen stand as worthy testimony to all the women who have blazed trails where none existed before." --Lisa Wingate, author of Before We Were Yours and The Book of Lost Friends "The War Librarian is a compelling and inspiring tribute to the courageous, groundbreaking women who risked their lives to pursue their heart's desire even when--especially when--their ambitions led them into places where women were at best unexpected, and at worst, fiercely opposed." --Jennifer Chiaverini, author of The Women's March "If one can measure a novel's success by the emotions it draws from readers, the sophomore work by Armstrong is very effective indeed. Romance and long-held secrets provide additional intrigue in this increasingly powerful story. The values of intellectual freedom, antiracist activism, and female friendship are illustrated within their historical contexts, yet these themes couldn't be timelier." --Booklist "Armstrong's dark and disturbing tale of prejudice, discrimination, determination, and bravery will resonate with readers caught up in the same issues today." --Library Journal "Dual story lines masterfully reflect how nominal moves toward institutional inclusion can belie the persistence of cultures of exclusion. Historical fans will devour this intimate story about fighting for dignity and respect during trying times." --Publishers Weekly "Gripping...Once again, Armstrong has crafted a tale of two women battling the status quo in historical eras that are relevant today...Dual timelines can be tricky, but Armstrong aligns hers perfectly so the issues each woman is dealing with run parallel. Readers won't want to put this one down." --Historical Novels Review "Beautifully told...The author has developed two fascinating characters...As their stories progress, readers become totally immersed in their lives. Their fears, accomplishments, and growth are realistic. The horrors of WWI are skillfully brought forward, as is what it was like for women to be part of their first class at the Academy...Highly recommended." --Fresh Fiction "[A] page turner. When Armstrong's protagonists question the system and its enforcers, the punishments are harsh, and in her clean prose the results are dramatic and moving." --Chapter16.org "The War Librarian is a touching story of courage and female friendship, with two heroines who will win you over with their honesty, integrity, and resilience--I found myself cheering for them until the very last page!" --Ann Mah, author of The Lost Vintage "The War Librarian shines a light on the courage and tenacity of women who blazed trails through male-dominated territory for future generations to follow. A vividly told story of female empowerment with humanity and heart."--Christine Wells, author of Sisters of the Resistance "The War Librarian is an empowering tale of sisterhood and sacrifice, reminding us of the importance of standing up for what is right in the world--even in the face of war and great peril. Timely and enlightening!" --Sara Ackerman, author of Radar Girls
"Meticulously researched, intricately woven, and deeply heartfelt, The War Librarian is a testament to the life-giving, life-affirming, and life-changing power of the written word--and of women. Highly recommend!" --Gabriella Saab, author of The Last Checkmate "The War Librarian is a compelling story that reminds us how powerful one person's voice, and actions, can be. Another powerful tribute to our military's female 'firsts.'" --Kaia Alderson, author of Sisters In Arms
"In The War Librarian, Addison Armstrong has created both a compelling look at WWI war librarians and a love letter to books and the power of words. Readers will be kept turning pages as both Emmaline and Kathleen fight against prejudice and censorship in their eras. Secrets abound in both timelines, but it's the strong friendships and courageous women that form the heart of this engaging look at forgotten history." --Amy Lynn Green, author of The Blackout Book Club
About the Author
Addison Armstrong graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2020 with degrees in elementary education and language and literacy studies and received her master's degree from Vanderbilt in Reading Education in 2021. The Light of Luna Park was her first novel. She lives with her husband in New York, New York, where she teaches elementary school.Dimensions (Overall): 8.1 Inches (H) x 5.4 Inches (W) x 1.0 Inches (D)
Weight: .55 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 384
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Sub-Genre: Historical
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Format: Paperback
Author: Addison Armstrong
Language: English
Street Date: August 9, 2022
TCIN: 85210208
UPC: 9780593328064
Item Number (DPCI): 247-65-6770
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Estimated ship dimensions: 1 inches length x 5.4 inches width x 8.1 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.55 pounds
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4.5 out of 5 stars with 2 reviews
100% would recommend
2 recommendations
An engaging historical novel
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
- 3 years ago
The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong is a dual timeline historical novel featuring courageous women. We get to meet Emmaline Balakin who went from working in the Dead Letter Office to a librarian in an army camp in France in 1918. Kathleen Carre is admitted as one of the first women into the United States Naval Academy in 1976. Each woman will face obstacles as they enter areas dominated and run by men. I thought the author beautifully wove the two storylines together. The book contains good writing with realistic characters. I enjoyed getting to know Emmaline, Kathleen, and Nellie (Emmaline’s friend in France). We get to see what life was like for them. It was especially difficult for Kathleen who was not wanted by the male cadets or the people who ran the school. Prejudice, banned books (censorship), secrets, lost love, courage, and bullying are the themes in The War Librarian. It was interesting learning about the Library War Service who was responsible for getting books to servicemen training in camps and those overseas. At first blush, it would seem that the two storylines would be worlds apart. As the story progresses, we get to see the similarity. The twist was something I saw coming, but I enjoyed seeing how it played out. I do want to let readers know there is bullying, mild foul language, and an intimate situation. If you are someone who has been bullied, you might find it hard to read one of the scenes. I was shocked at what the female recruits were subjected to at the academy. That they were expected to carry a purse and wear three-inch heels was idiotic. I understand they are training soldiers, but I do not know how recruits put up with the demanding routine, the yelling, and all the rules (some of them are ridiculous). The War Librarian is an emotional story with a special ending. The War Librarian is a captivating tale that historical fiction lovers will enjoy.
For Historical Fiction Lovers!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Akbaird - 3 years ago
If you love historical fiction, then this is a must read! A great story of two women who lived in two different time periods, but had many parallels and were connected by Kathleen’s grandmother, Nina. A wonderful story of heartache, resiliency, and determination. I absolutely loved this book! A dual timeline story that follows Emmaline, a war librarian, who served in WWl and Kathleen who is accepted into the Navel Academy’s first female class of 1980 in Annapolis, Maryland. Kathleen follows the footsteps of her Dad who fought in WWII and Korean War and her grandmother who served in WWl. Her Dad did not come home from the Korean War and when she was young, her mother left to be a travel writer, leaving her to be raised by her grandmother. Both Emmaline and Kathleen have had loss of their parents, which pushed them both into military careers. Emmaline was a trailblazer not only for women, but for soldiers. She helped them escape through books by reading to them or supplying them with books during the war. Emmaline has to navigate the male dominated world, will it catch up to her and she be accused of having documents that could go against the military? Kathleen was determined to be a trailblazer for future women Plebes, so they wouldn’t have to endure the abuse and discrimination she went through. She wanted future generations of women to have equal treatment and rights at the Naval Academy. When Kathleen is accused of a military crime, will she be able to prove her innocence? Will this end her career? This book is great for book clubs as it will spark many great discussions such as importance of books to war times to women’s rights to race relations to burning of banned books to discrimination to mental health to survival, etc. What did it take for women in their time to be successful and was this even possible?