Miss Reeder fights to keep the library open while the Germans destroy information all across the city. Weeks later, Paris is bombed for the first time and, as many refugees arrive from the countryside, others flee. Then, Miss Reeder sends Odile to the American Hospital where she realizes her immaturity and mends her friendship with Bitsi. They start the Soldiers' Service which delivers books to battalions.

Odile and Mary Louise remain by Lily’s side as she slips further into her depression.Īfter Rémy leaves for the army, Odile blames Bitsi for convincing Rémy to enlist while the library staff resolves to stay with Miss Reeder. Things get worse for Lily’s mental health when her father begins dating a woman named Eleonor as Lily feels that both Eleanor and her father are trying to replace her mother while also controlling Lily’s life. In Lily’s timeline, she and her father grow more distant after the death of her mother and struggle to understand each other. However, as the war gets closer to Paris, Odile is dismayed to learn that Rémy has enlisted in the army. She continues to fall deeper in love with Paul and stands up for Margaret against her emotionally abusive husband. This causes her to remember her mother’s disdain for Aunt Caro when she wanted to divorce her own cheating husband and Odile resolves to make a life for herself. Meanwhile, Rémy falls in love with one of Odile’s coworkers Bitsi and Odile catches her father cheating on Maman. The two become friends and Odile convinces Margaret to volunteer at the library. In the past, Odile meets Margaret who is struggling with extreme loneliness while her husband handles everything at home. Gustafson tells stories of her past to try and cheer the family up, Lily knows that her mother has little time left. This, as well as the stress caused by her mother’s illness, convinces Lily to seek help from her mysterious, foreign neighbor Odile Gustafson. She struggles to cope at home and longs to escape to Paris and make something of herself.

Then in March of 1983, teenage Lily lives in Froid, Montana with her terribly ill mother and worried father. However, everyone feels that war is coming as refugees attempt to flee to France. Odile receives a two-year contract from the Directoress, Miss Reeder while slowly developing feelings for one of her father’s suitors, Paul. While her brother Rémy supports her, Odile’s Papa is convinced that she needs to focus on marriage. In February of 1939, Odile interviews for her dream job at the American Library. The following version of this novel was used in the creation of this study guide: Charles, Janet Skeslien.

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