This was fantastic. If you like historical fiction that is based on true events, and books about books or libraries, then this is for you! It's set in the early part of the 20th century (specifically1914, 1921, 1924 and 1936) and is just an excellent read.
STORY SUMMARY
Millie Lang is an editor employed by the Works Progress Administration. But when she finds her self involved in a potential political scandal she's given a choice of either working out in Montana....a far cry from Washington, D.C. or a pink slip. She chooses Montana. She needs to work on the state's American Guide Series which were travel books intended to employ America's destitute authors and editors. The year is 1936.
When Millie arrives in Missoula, Montana, she finds quite a diverse staff. They say that they missed the deadlines for the guide due to someone sabatoging their work. They believe this was done by "the Copper Kings" ...the state's powerful mining company. The reason? The company doesn't want their long and bloody history with union organizers in the Guide for the rest of the country to read. Millie, however, begins to suspect that the answer might actually like with the town's mysterious librarian, Alice Monroe.
More than 10 years earlier, Alice had created the Boxcar Library to deliver books to isolated mining towns where men longed for entertainment and a connection. Alice thought she had found the perfect librarian to run the Boxcar Library: Colette Durand, the only daughter of a miner who happened to carry around a shotgun and too many secrets in her eyes.
No one in Missoula will tell Millie why both Alice and Colette went out on the inaugural journey of the Boxcar Library and that only Alice returned. What happened to Colette?
MY THOUGHTS
This story is loosely based on a real librarian (the name Alice is fictionalized) who created the Boxcar Library. It's about three very courageous women who were strong and who survived the rough and rowdy West. They had power by standing together to fight for the miner workers' lives.
Through all of this history, books shine. Books bring connectivity and light to people who need it most.
I really enjoyed this historical fiction although there were many editing errors!
The character development was rich and diverse. I really liked Colette's character. She was my favorite because of her spunk and perseverance.
Each chapter features one of the 3 women: Millie, Alice, and Colette. The author gives the name of the character, the location in Montana and the year. It's very organized and helpful for the reader.
There are so many good themes running in this plot. The main ones are: Fighting against corporate and political corruption (not much has changed, has it in this nation??!), the importance of labor unions, females who are independent and emotionally strong, friendship, the father-daughter relationship, and the transformative power of books and reading.
I highly recommend this story. Usually it would only take about a week for me to read such a book but it took me longer as I've been super busy with other things and haven't done much reading.
I also liked that the author has notes in the back of the book about the real history revolving around the Boxcar Library. I've discovered a new to me author so I plan on looking for more of her books.
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 14 and older.
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 9.
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