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Reviewed by: Kathy Jaccarino, High School Librarian Title: The War Librarian Author: Addison Armstrong Publisher: GP Putnam's Sons
Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 9-12 Genre/Type of Book: Historical Fiction
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Graphic explanation of war Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: Anything that speaks to librarians or libraries piques my interest! If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be: Brave women do make a difference.
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Review:
This historical fiction novel is told through the lens of two narrators. A young girl, Emmaline, who volunteers to be a "war librarian" on the front lines during WWI and young girl, Kathleen, just being admitted into the first coed class of the US Naval Academy in 1979.
First of all, I was intrigued with the idea that ALA sponsored war librarians and books for troops during the WWI. The author also addresses the fact that the War Department imposed censorship on the books ALA was able to provide. This was a part of history I knew nothing about...I appreciated the author's note at the end of the book explaining this. She weaves these historical facts into the story seamlessly.
Shy, quiet, Emmaline embarks on the dangerous mission, to be a war librarian on the frontlines in France. Her volunteering is instigated by a letter she finds at her job in the Dead Letter Office. She meets the author of the letter at the hospital in which she is stationed, Nick, a childhood friend. At the hospital she encounters death, discrimination, segregation, and the rekindling of a relationship with Nick, who is recovering from a serious injury.
Kathleen is eager to begin life as a cadet at the US Naval Academy. Unfortunately, she loses her beloved Grandmother, who raised her, as soon as she begins her journey at the Academy. The loss of her grandmother is intensified as she, and the other female cadets, suffer the brunt of the midshipmen's harassment of the women in their ranks. Kathleen's perseverance and determination under these conditions is admirable. She works tirelessly to earn her place in this male dominated institution.
As the story unfolds the author begins to unveil the connections between the two women. As each of them goes through their separate struggles and the truth unfolds, we begin to understand the secrets that are part of their shared history. I think this novel would be an excellent optional read for a US History class as it talks about a part of the war few of us know anything about and exemplifies the brave women that are the fabric of our history.
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For more information about this book, see the Publishers Website