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

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Captivating and remarkable, it reminds us that stories soothe and help us make sense of the chaos in our lives."— The Toronto Star During the war, the facilities were amazing down the Tube; it had everything you needed. There was even a mobile hairdresser, who used to come down the tunnels doing people’s hair out in rags before bed so they woke up with nice curly hair. Terrific! Clara ( who I immediately liked ) has created a library as part of a secret community that makes it’s home in the dis-used Bethnal Green tube station! It really is a secret world down there with amongst other things a theatre,a nursery and a cafe 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

Clara and Ruby are brilliant women – it feels wrong to call them characters as they are so real. They embody true feminist courage and strength. This is a delightful story of community in wartime, love and loss, and resilience. Based on a true story, The role of the library during war -- based on a true story -- is revealed in this gripping historical novel featuring courageous librarian Clara and her lively assistant Ruby:Beautifully written with emotion this story is based on true events is heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time as we see Clara and Ruby stand up for the people who need this library, Clara is the most caring person as is Ruby both have been through so much and deserve happiness. I loved getting to know the people who live in this underground world, I cried with them and cheered them one, anyone who loves reading and loves a library must read this story, it truly shows what a library means to so many people. I highly recommend this story, I loved it. The Little Wartime Library was a haven for people. It did so much more than hand out books. It helped children to learn to read, to come to terms with loss of family to help those living in the underground to bear the long hard years that war brought to their homes and cities.

So many families are homeless and a safe place is made for them to live underground, five thousand three tiered bunks are installed, it has a café, nursery, theatre and a library. Clara’s a trained librarian and Ruby isn't your typical assistant, between them they make a great team and devise ingenious ways of lending out as many books as they can. Visiting factories and delivering books to shift workers, holding a nightly story time for the children, starting a boozy book club for their mothers, and Clara sends a letter to Canada asking for donations of children’s classic books. Library work isn’t all about books. It’s the people who make it special; you never know who’s going to walk in and what their story is.” Weaving historical fact and fiction, Thompson furnishes the reader with warm and engrossing reading experience. The Little War Time Library is such a touching and heart-wrenching story based on true events. I think the fact it is based on true events adds even more emotion and real emotion to this book.Bunk beds in the tunnels at Bethnal Green underground station: Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives I absolutely loved the story of the underground community and learning more about the heart of soul of this community: the library, its Librarian, and its people.