The Little Wartime Library: A gripping, heart-wrenching WW2 page-turner based on real events

Product Information

Aheartwarming story of how friendship and the written word sustain us in the toughest times."— Janet Skeslien Charles, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library I’m really struggling with what to write about this book. I tried to major in the Library Media Specialist program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and unfortunately I wasn’t able to get a major in the program because I was disabled and I want to give a giant shout out to Ann Zarrinia and Eileen Shroeder who ran the department together and the head librarian of the Palmyra Public Library whose name I have forgotten during 2010 which refused to let me complete my internship for not allowing me to complete my major. There’s a very interesting author’s note in the book that mentions librarians helping the mentally disabled and look at how they helped me!

This ode to libraries and WWII era books and librarians introduces a community of people brought together by war and needed the isle of calm the library gave them when up against terrors like refugees from the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands and the bombings on the home front while a nation is in a desperate war. Based on the real existence of the Bethnal Green underground community, the historical authenticity and historical mile markers- like the Bethnal Green tube disaster, Jersey, and other devastation- settled over the story as added layers letting the character-driven plot action and colorful, complex characters shine in the forefront. We follow Clara’s life and her family/ friends,their hopes,dreams,loves and losses and their daily problems as war is battled over head and affects every aspect of their life For borough librarian George F Vale and his deputy, Stanley Snaith, the underground village that had developed at Bethnal Green station was the perfect opportunity to set up a makeshift library and provide the local community with access to free books once more. “The opportunity of founding a tube shelter library was too good to miss,” Stanley wrote in an article in Library Review in the spring of 1942.Kate Thompson is unafraid to present difficult issues like domestic abuse, loss, guilt and mental health problems. Yet they never make the story maudlin or depressing. From a journalist to a ghost-writer, British author Kate Thompson has published a range of books over the last 20 years. In her most recent publication, Thompson has penned a story about strength, resilience, resistance, courage and the power of the written word. Drawn from real life events, The Little Wartime Library is an engrossing title that will rouse all Second World War fiction fans. The Little Wartime Library is fast paced and exciting. There are moments of terrible suffering through the impact of war, balanced by light-hearted banter and humour.

Just brilliant!! I can't describe it any other way. The fact it's based on true events adds more layers to it. Aheartwarming story of how friendship and the written word sustain us in the toughest times. New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Lib Janet Skeslien CharlesClara must fight some adversity and people who are against what she is trying to do, as the war drags on Clara’s strength is tested many times over but she never gives up, with the Germans dropping their new bombs many people from the underground are affected and there are many tears shed. Clara meets ambulance worker Billy Clark when he jumps in and helps her when needed most, and Clara is a widow and soon she is seeing her heart open to Billy but he holds a secret that will cause problems. This is just the story we need right now – a tale of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to keep hope alive, and to give a community adrift in wartime a sense of home. The Bethnal Green underground library might be the beating heart of the book’s subterranean village, but Clara is the soul of this novel. She’s the kind of character you cheer for, cry for, and dream for. Kate Thompson’s passion, meticulous research and brilliant storytelling make The Little Wartime Library an utter delight to read.”— Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author This bookclub kit includes discussion questions, recipes, suggested reading list, a book trail and more.