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1944: A true life tale of a very extraordinary librarian of the most amazing library
The Little Wartime Library
What you need to know before your trail
Clara Button is no ordinary librarian. While the world remains at war, in East London Clara has created the country’s only underground library, built over the tracks in the disused Bethnal Green tube station. Down here a secret community thrives: with thousands of bunk beds, a nursery, a café and a theatre offering shelter, solace and escape from the bombs that fall above.
Along with her glamorous best friend and library assistant Ruby Munroe, Clara ensures the library is the beating heart of life underground. But as the war drags on, the women’s determination to remain strong in the face of adversity is tested to the limits when it seems it may come at the price of keeping those closest to them alive.
Travel Guide
Discover the wonderful story of the Bethnal Green Library!
The station of Bethnal Green tube has a very interesting history. It was a disused station that people had been using as a shelter against the bombing raids. IT was known by locals as the “Iron Lung”. More and more people started to use it and within a year, it was transformed into a fully-functioning underground community.
The author spoke with some of the children who had used this library. They are now in the 90s but remember fondly what it was like to be able to access books at a time of such stress and trauma.
Bethnal Green Public Library, from mental asylum to refuge of the arts — Bethnal Green LDN (bethnalgreenlondon.co.uk)
Booktrailer Review
What a wonderful story from history itself. A story about a hidden, underground library and the human emotions behind it. Loved it!
The BookTrail’s Bookreview of The Little Wartime Library
BookTrail Boarding Pass: The Little Wartime Library
Destination/Location: London Author: Kate Thompson Departure: WW2
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