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Cherry Ames #2
Cherry Ames, Senior Nurse
In Senior Nurse, Cherry realizes that "a senior really must be a little more sober and responsible" - perhaps she should have warned the head nurse right away about the rabbit that had been smuggled into the pediatric ward. But the children had enjoyed it so! As "lofty" seniors, Cherry and her friends each "adopt" a probationer (first-year student) to mentor. Why did her probie have to be dull and sullen Mildred Burnham? Dr. Joe Fortune has discovered a new way to synthesize penicillin - which could make a life or death difference on the battle front. But how did word of it become common knowledge around Spencer? Cherry discovers that Mildred has more to her than she thought as together they face the dangerous thieves who have stolen Dr. Joe's formula.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1944
12 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
Helen Wells
94 books75 followersOriginal name: Helen Weinstock. Social worker turned full-time young adult writer, born in Illinois but moved with family to New York City when she was seven. In 1934 Wells graduated from New York University [where she'd been the first female editor of the literary quarterly], with a major in philosophy and a minor in sociology and psychology.
During World War II, she served as a volunteer with the State Department's Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, escorting Latin American visitors in the United States.
Author of Cherry Ames, Nurse books, a series for young teens.
She was also the author of the Vicki Barr books, about a young mystery-solving flight attendant. And, as Francine Lewis, she penned the short-lived Polly French series (1950s), aimed at a younger readership.
After writing the first eight books of the Cherry Ames series and the first three Vicki Barr books, Wells decided to abandon both series to write for television and radio, and Julie Tatham took over (however, both the ninth Cherry Ames book and the fourth Vicki Barr book were published under Wells's name). Tatham later returned the Vicki Barr books to Wells in 1953 and the Cherry Ames books in 1955.
During World War II, she served as a volunteer with the State Department's Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, escorting Latin American visitors in the United States.
Author of Cherry Ames, Nurse books, a series for young teens.
She was also the author of the Vicki Barr books, about a young mystery-solving flight attendant. And, as Francine Lewis, she penned the short-lived Polly French series (1950s), aimed at a younger readership.
After writing the first eight books of the Cherry Ames series and the first three Vicki Barr books, Wells decided to abandon both series to write for television and radio, and Julie Tatham took over (however, both the ninth Cherry Ames book and the fourth Vicki Barr book were published under Wells's name). Tatham later returned the Vicki Barr books to Wells in 1953 and the Cherry Ames books in 1955.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
December 7, 2025
I am really enjoying this series. I can't wait to read the next one.
January 22, 2024
An entertaining and mysterious Cherry Ames book! I enjoyed this second book a bit more than the first. I love how you get to follow Cherry's journey through nursing school and "learn" what she's learning!
Cherry, so close to becoming a fully-fledged RN, also adopts a new nursing school student, Mildred, with less than successful results. Between the mysterious happenings at Dr. Joe Fortune's lab and Cherry's struggle to help Mildred (or win her approval), there's never a dull moment.
The only part of the book that I disagreed with is the Superintendent Nurse's reaction to Cherry and Mildred's lack of compatibility. Miss Reamer thinks that it's completely Cherry's fault for not liking Mildred more and not feeling more compassion and friendliness towards her.
In my opinion, Mildred's horrible attitude are sulky responses the true problem and would be difficult for any person to handle—even with Cherry's positivity!
There's a bit of a romance thrown into the mix as well! Who knows what will happen with Lex?
Overall, I'm so glad that I read this book with one of my favorite book buddies, Caro (@carosbookcase). Yay! We're planning on reading the next couple together and I'm hoping to learn even more about Cherry Ames and her future in nursing.
Cherry, so close to becoming a fully-fledged RN, also adopts a new nursing school student, Mildred, with less than successful results. Between the mysterious happenings at Dr. Joe Fortune's lab and Cherry's struggle to help Mildred (or win her approval), there's never a dull moment.
The only part of the book that I disagreed with is the Superintendent Nurse's reaction to Cherry and Mildred's lack of compatibility. Miss Reamer thinks that it's completely Cherry's fault for not liking Mildred more and not feeling more compassion and friendliness towards her.
In my opinion, Mildred's horrible attitude are sulky responses the true problem and would be difficult for any person to handle—even with Cherry's positivity!
There's a bit of a romance thrown into the mix as well! Who knows what will happen with Lex?
Overall, I'm so glad that I read this book with one of my favorite book buddies, Caro (@carosbookcase). Yay! We're planning on reading the next couple together and I'm hoping to learn even more about Cherry Ames and her future in nursing.
November 5, 2022
If you're looking for a fun series for your young adults, this is a nice choice!
It has similar vibes to the original Nancy Drew series; just replace the mystery with various events and story developments. And personally, I think the writing is better; more full and less matter-of-fact.
I look forward to reading more in the series!
Cleanliness: Uses of “good gracious” “goodness” “gee” and the like. There is a little romance. Mentions young ladies wearing make-up and going to dances. There is a proposal.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
It has similar vibes to the original Nancy Drew series; just replace the mystery with various events and story developments. And personally, I think the writing is better; more full and less matter-of-fact.
I look forward to reading more in the series!
Cleanliness: Uses of “good gracious” “goodness” “gee” and the like. There is a little romance. Mentions young ladies wearing make-up and going to dances. There is a proposal.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
April 24, 2013
I really loved reading the old edition of this. It's such a fabulous snapshot at medicine and nursing from 70 years ago (has it really been that long?) Whew, what an interesting time people lived in. As I read I kept thinking how differently we do things now in hospitals. Though I don't know...the times I've been in a hospital would it have been more helpful to be in a ward with other people to talk to? And the fact that nurses would spend time sitting with you and keeping you company...not like our understaffed, overworked hospitals today.
But I digress. If you love nursing, medical stories, things like Nancy Drew with a hint of romance and even a hint of suspense, then this is for you. Please keep in mind the time period this was written in and don't bash the content. This is how people thought and acted back then. It's a way to learn about our heritage in a way that's wrapped up in an interesting story.
Highly recommended series!
But I digress. If you love nursing, medical stories, things like Nancy Drew with a hint of romance and even a hint of suspense, then this is for you. Please keep in mind the time period this was written in and don't bash the content. This is how people thought and acted back then. It's a way to learn about our heritage in a way that's wrapped up in an interesting story.
Highly recommended series!
March 4, 2020
Another nostalgic book that was just as sweet as the first! I love the look at America in the '40s -- even though this was never intended to be historical, some 70ish years later, it is history, and an enjoyable way to learn at that!
I really enjoyed the whole discussion on Penicillin, and the race to create a synthetic version that could be made quicker, so the soldiers would have better access to it. I never knew this part of medical history, and I found it interesting =)
I would highly recommend this series of books to people of all ages!
I really enjoyed the whole discussion on Penicillin, and the race to create a synthetic version that could be made quicker, so the soldiers would have better access to it. I never knew this part of medical history, and I found it interesting =)
I would highly recommend this series of books to people of all ages!
August 6, 2015
For a number of reasons, I never got to finish this series, and now as an adult, I am reading Cherry Ames. I love, love, love it.
Every girl should read this series. Yes, some of it is very outdated, but it is extraordinary.
Every girl should read this series. Yes, some of it is very outdated, but it is extraordinary.
September 4, 2011
This was even better than the first one! A really sweet series about a girl becoming a nurse in the midst of World War 2.
March 7, 2024
If I read this as an impressionable kid in 1945 I would’ve dreamed of being scooped up by the US Cadet Nurse Corps to become a nurse: “the most important job a woman can do”(!!)
Instead, I read Percy Jackson and waited fruitlessly for YEARS to be claimed by my godly parent with absolutely no career plans in sight.
The things that living in (relative) peacetime will do to you I guess.
Instead, I read Percy Jackson and waited fruitlessly for YEARS to be claimed by my godly parent with absolutely no career plans in sight.
The things that living in (relative) peacetime will do to you I guess.
October 18, 2024
This Cherry Ames Senior Nurse, book was one of the same books which I read as a young girl. I enjoyed reading this one again after many years and it was very nostalgic. This book gave me many memories of my time in my nursing school days and what a fun time that I had at that time.
October 5, 2009
Meet the nurse who inspired a generation of young people to go into nursing. Smart, courageous, mischievous, quick- witted, and above all, devoted to the
profession of nursing, Cherry meets adventure wherever she goes…
In Senior Nurse, Cherry realizes that "a senior really must be a little more sober and responsible" - perhaps she should have warned the head nurse right
away about the rabbit that had been smuggled into the pediatric ward. But the children had enjoyed it so! As "lofty" seniors, Cherry and her friends each
"adopt" a probationer (first-year student) to mentor. Why did her probie have to be dull and sullen Mildred Burnham? Dr. Joe Fortune has discovered a new
way to synthesize penicillin - which could make a life or death difference on the battle front. But how did word of it become common knowledge around Spencer?
Cherry discovers that Mildred has more to her than she thought as together they face the dangerous thieves who have stolen Dr. Joe's formula.
I love this series. I am going to have to hunt for them I think, especially if I have to read them in order, like I try to at all costs. this book, the second in the series, was cute, kind of like the Nancy Drew or hardy Boys books. If you like those two series, you will like these, too.
profession of nursing, Cherry meets adventure wherever she goes…
In Senior Nurse, Cherry realizes that "a senior really must be a little more sober and responsible" - perhaps she should have warned the head nurse right
away about the rabbit that had been smuggled into the pediatric ward. But the children had enjoyed it so! As "lofty" seniors, Cherry and her friends each
"adopt" a probationer (first-year student) to mentor. Why did her probie have to be dull and sullen Mildred Burnham? Dr. Joe Fortune has discovered a new
way to synthesize penicillin - which could make a life or death difference on the battle front. But how did word of it become common knowledge around Spencer?
Cherry discovers that Mildred has more to her than she thought as together they face the dangerous thieves who have stolen Dr. Joe's formula.
I love this series. I am going to have to hunt for them I think, especially if I have to read them in order, like I try to at all costs. this book, the second in the series, was cute, kind of like the Nancy Drew or hardy Boys books. If you like those two series, you will like these, too.
October 12, 2011
I liked this one about as much as I liked the first one--it was good! Cherry and her friends "adopt" the new class of students, and Cherry struggles to get along with her adoptee, all while trying to protect the secret of Dr. Joe's new miracle drug and doing some romantically-tinged verbal sparring with the brilliant Dr. Lex Upham (whom I thought was a rather controlling twit, but Cherry seemed to be able to hold her own with him).
The Chinese nurse Mai Lee continued to be stereotyped (such a "little" "quiet" "demure" "ivory-faced" nurse), but the fact that the author included a Chinese nurse at all was pretty impressive for the 1940's. Also, I was amazed that in the course of the story, Cherry comes into contact with a female obstetrician and a female surgeon. Pretty dang progressive for those times. Still, I was a little annoyed at the blatant assertion straight from the mouth of Cherry that doctors and nurses knew better than midwives--this from the era when midwives were slowly falling victim to a massive smear campaign from the medical establishment. Oh well. I guess it's just a representative of its times.
The Chinese nurse Mai Lee continued to be stereotyped (such a "little" "quiet" "demure" "ivory-faced" nurse), but the fact that the author included a Chinese nurse at all was pretty impressive for the 1940's. Also, I was amazed that in the course of the story, Cherry comes into contact with a female obstetrician and a female surgeon. Pretty dang progressive for those times. Still, I was a little annoyed at the blatant assertion straight from the mouth of Cherry that doctors and nurses knew better than midwives--this from the era when midwives were slowly falling victim to a massive smear campaign from the medical establishment. Oh well. I guess it's just a representative of its times.
September 26, 2012
I read the whole series in my early teens and have decided to do a nostalgic revisit of this and the other career series books I read; from memory there was a vet one and an air hostess one. The Cherry Ames series started in the 1940s in an attempt to get young girls into nursing to serve their country during WWII. Certainly the push is on throughout this book as Cherry agonises whether to serve on the home front or volunteer for the armed services even as she manages to deliver babies and foil plans to steal the formula of a medical breakthrough to fall into enemy hands. Cherry is as patriotic as the US apple pie and unlike a lot of the other young adult books of the time Cherry is portrayed as career focused instead of husband hunting (although she does have boyfriends) she is noble, kind, good and still able to pull practical jokes. I really enjoyed this simpler way of life, but could imagine that people who like more bangs for their buck would find it boring.
March 24, 2018
I'm loving this series so far. If you like Nancy Drew books, the Cherry Ames books are comparable in the writing style and dialogue.
In this volume, we find Cherry as a senior student nurse who will soon be graduating. She has an important life decision to make, whether she will stay as a nurse on the home front, or become an army nurse. It's an important step in her life -- so if you're wanting to read the series, don't miss book #2.
There's even some intrigue happening right in the hospital -- which has to do with Dr. Joe's secret laboratory projects. Overall, there's a really good plot in the book, and made for an enjoyable read.
In this volume, we find Cherry as a senior student nurse who will soon be graduating. She has an important life decision to make, whether she will stay as a nurse on the home front, or become an army nurse. It's an important step in her life -- so if you're wanting to read the series, don't miss book #2.
There's even some intrigue happening right in the hospital -- which has to do with Dr. Joe's secret laboratory projects. Overall, there's a really good plot in the book, and made for an enjoyable read.
January 21, 2010
I LOVED the first three of this series of books as a girl. They might have a part to play in why I like hospitals to this day (I know - WEIRD!) and any medical themed shows. If you liked Nancy Drew... you will appreciate Cherry Ames!
February 17, 2017
The second Cherry Ames book is just as good as the first.
March 2, 2017
Nice light read. Interesting to see how nursing was like during WW2 time.
June 16, 2020
Reading this book again gave me wonderful memories of the first time I read the book over fifty years ago as a teenager. I hadn't read this is years.
July 25, 2018
Amusing read; although it starts out light and bubbly, it gains some weight along the way. And it's definitely of its time; it's hilariously sexist!
February 28, 2024
I have really enjoyed following Cherry through her nursing schooling.
July 26, 2016
As a character, Cherry is a little flat, but I still enjoyed this one. I have no idea what she sees in Lex. He's abrasive, moody, and arrogant. Oh, well, at least he mixes things up a little bit. I guess a perfect-and-handsome-young-doctor love interest would be rather dull.
Once again, the mystery angle in this one is more of an afterthought. I kind of wish there was no mystery because it makes the story seem less believable, and I find that it interrupts the flow of the book.
I feel a little bad for Midge. It seems like her dad kind of ignores her, and just sends her home when she becomes a bother. I don't think I like Dr. Joe much. The absent-minded part of his genius is carried a bit far sometimes.
In the recent reprint addition of this that I read, there were a few typos, which is unfortunate. I'm still very happy that they reprinted these, though.
I love the descriptions of nursing and how it was viewed back then: “a nurse has to care for people’s minds and hearts, as well as their physical ills” (65).
Oh, I also enjoyed the descriptions of the dresses that Cherry her friends wore to the Christmas dance. I could perfectly picture the "[d]iaphanous black chiffon . . . airy as smoke" and "crackling cinnamon-colored taffeta" (101-102). Ooh-la-la! They sound so lovely.
Once again, the mystery angle in this one is more of an afterthought. I kind of wish there was no mystery because it makes the story seem less believable, and I find that it interrupts the flow of the book.
I feel a little bad for Midge. It seems like her dad kind of ignores her, and just sends her home when she becomes a bother. I don't think I like Dr. Joe much. The absent-minded part of his genius is carried a bit far sometimes.
In the recent reprint addition of this that I read, there were a few typos, which is unfortunate. I'm still very happy that they reprinted these, though.
I love the descriptions of nursing and how it was viewed back then: “a nurse has to care for people’s minds and hearts, as well as their physical ills” (65).
Oh, I also enjoyed the descriptions of the dresses that Cherry her friends wore to the Christmas dance. I could perfectly picture the "[d]iaphanous black chiffon . . . airy as smoke" and "crackling cinnamon-colored taffeta" (101-102). Ooh-la-la! They sound so lovely.
May 21, 2017
This was a contemporary of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, but I didn't read this because even at a young age, I had absolutely no desire or empathy to want to become a nurse. I've always loved figuring out puzzles than talking to people, so I wasn't really attracted to Cherry Ames.
Working with nurses, and having nurses in my nuclear family as well as friends, however, have offered me a picture of how challenging and financially unrewarding it is to be a nurse here in the Philippines. Cherry Ames had to deal with the same shit. Although there were occasional plot holes by the author, this book was capable in offering a snapshot of the hectic life of a nurse.
So don't mess with one! You may get injected with a needle bore that's much bigger than what you need. ;)
Working with nurses, and having nurses in my nuclear family as well as friends, however, have offered me a picture of how challenging and financially unrewarding it is to be a nurse here in the Philippines. Cherry Ames had to deal with the same shit. Although there were occasional plot holes by the author, this book was capable in offering a snapshot of the hectic life of a nurse.
So don't mess with one! You may get injected with a needle bore that's much bigger than what you need. ;)
March 12, 2013
this is about cherry ames senior year as a student at spencer hospital and her life as she persues her life as a student nurse and helps her friend elderly dr. joe who had been friend, doctor and neighbor back home, and who,s daughter midge cherry had helped to keep an eye on since the death of dr joe,s wife some years before, and also pursuing a brief friendship and possible romance with a young doctor. her adventures as she completes her training and graduates as a full fledged nurse make good reading for the young
May 25, 2017
Sure this book is dated by today standards, but I still love Cherry! What I didn't love was the romance with the young doctor Lex!
November 12, 2024
The second Cherry Ames story by Helen Wells, "Cherry Ames, Senior Nurse" has many of Cherry's nurse friends. They decide to each adopt a first year nurse unfortunately Cherry has an unfriendly young girl. Add a bit of mystery to a stolen formula and a mysterious young doctor that interest Cherry. Lots of intrigue, a nursing story during WW 2, published in 1944.
Story in short- Cherry's senior year at the hospital with the war on and nursing shortages.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 2588
She wondered about Charlie; his letter this morning announced matter-of-factly that he might not be
returning to the State University this September. Instead, he was hoping to be accepted in the Army Air
Force. He wanted, he wrote, to train either as a pilot or for the more urgent job of aerial gunner.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 2590
“You always did have your heart set on being a flier,” Cherry said to the young man in the picture. Her
twin brother was a very masculine and startlingly blond version of Cherry herself. “And you always were
determined to live up to your plans. Well, heaven knows, we need fliers to win this war—and nurses too.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 2657
“I still don’t know what being a senior is,” she thought, “but I never expected it to include rabbits and a
pint-size gypsy and that extraordinary young doctor and—and now, adopting people!”
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 2688
Standing beside the Superintendent of Nurses at the table was a girl of about eighteen with a dumpy
figure and an ordinary face. She would have made no impression whatsoever on Cherry, except for the
unpleasant way she seemed to draw herself away from everyone around her. Cherry took an instant
dislike to her. Then she realized it and was appalled. “I’ve no right to a prejudice! I don’t even know the
girl,” Cherry scolded herself as Miss Reamer introduced them.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 2728
But she could not run fast enough. The man was gaining on her. She could hear his approaching footsteps,
heavier than her own, above the crackle of her apron and her own panting. The man cried out again.
Suddenly his footsteps rang
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 2729
out faster and harder, and a hand closed on her arm. Cherry, dripping with perspiration, swayed against
the wall. All she could think was how cold the brick felt against her overheated body. Then her blurred
vision cleared and she looked up. “You idiot,” the man was saying. Cherry looked again and blinked. It was
the young doctor who had scattered her towels all over the ward and chased Lucy’s rabbit! “I merely asked
you which way! I was lost.”
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert
I loved that Cherry's friends and Dr. Joe Fortune and Midge are back. Cherry's senior year as a nurse has her in peds, the nursery, psychiatry and OB. Cherry meets a potential love interest in young doctor, Lex, who is a smart outsider that is wanting to be near Cherry, he takes a job with Dr. Joe who has helped with PCN use being more available. The formula is stolen a some think Lex stole it, even Cherry questions herself. When Cherry and her first year probie, Mildred caught the true criminals, Lex is cleared. Lex wants to propose to Cherry but she kindly tells him not now, but they are truly an item. Cherry graduates and will become an army nurse, thinking of her brother who is an airman.
Story in short- Cherry's senior year at the hospital with the war on and nursing shortages.
➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 2588
She wondered about Charlie; his letter this morning announced matter-of-factly that he might not be
returning to the State University this September. Instead, he was hoping to be accepted in the Army Air
Force. He wanted, he wrote, to train either as a pilot or for the more urgent job of aerial gunner.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 2590
“You always did have your heart set on being a flier,” Cherry said to the young man in the picture. Her
twin brother was a very masculine and startlingly blond version of Cherry herself. “And you always were
determined to live up to your plans. Well, heaven knows, we need fliers to win this war—and nurses too.”
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 2657
“I still don’t know what being a senior is,” she thought, “but I never expected it to include rabbits and a
pint-size gypsy and that extraordinary young doctor and—and now, adopting people!”
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 2688
Standing beside the Superintendent of Nurses at the table was a girl of about eighteen with a dumpy
figure and an ordinary face. She would have made no impression whatsoever on Cherry, except for the
unpleasant way she seemed to draw herself away from everyone around her. Cherry took an instant
dislike to her. Then she realized it and was appalled. “I’ve no right to a prejudice! I don’t even know the
girl,” Cherry scolded herself as Miss Reamer introduced them.
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 2728
But she could not run fast enough. The man was gaining on her. She could hear his approaching footsteps,
heavier than her own, above the crackle of her apron and her own panting. The man cried out again.
Suddenly his footsteps rang
Highlight (Yellow) | Location 2729
out faster and harder, and a hand closed on her arm. Cherry, dripping with perspiration, swayed against
the wall. All she could think was how cold the brick felt against her overheated body. Then her blurred
vision cleared and she looked up. “You idiot,” the man was saying. Cherry looked again and blinked. It was
the young doctor who had scattered her towels all over the ward and chased Lucy’s rabbit! “I merely asked
you which way! I was lost.”
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert
I loved that Cherry's friends and Dr. Joe Fortune and Midge are back. Cherry's senior year as a nurse has her in peds, the nursery, psychiatry and OB. Cherry meets a potential love interest in young doctor, Lex, who is a smart outsider that is wanting to be near Cherry, he takes a job with Dr. Joe who has helped with PCN use being more available. The formula is stolen a some think Lex stole it, even Cherry questions herself. When Cherry and her first year probie, Mildred caught the true criminals, Lex is cleared. Lex wants to propose to Cherry but she kindly tells him not now, but they are truly an item. Cherry graduates and will become an army nurse, thinking of her brother who is an airman.
December 31, 2022
I picked this book up probably a decade ago at a thrift store because I was fairly certain I had read it when I was in elementary school (I grew up in the 2000s but my school's library was fairly outdated, and a lot of my childhood books that I fondly remember were honestly published way before my time.) Turns out, I'm pretty sure this is just the sequel to the book I read, though honestly I could be wrong on that one. All that to say, I went in to this book with a bit of trepidation just because I am in a very different place now than I was at the ripe age of nine. In the end I enjoyed the book, but now more for its historical lens than the plot.
This book is definitely a product of its time, a quaint remnant of a bygone era. It's a little odd to read this and realize that this book was published in the thralls of WWII-this is historical fiction now, but it wasn't at the time, and despite the simple plot some very real anxiety about how the war might turn out seeps through the book. Oftentimes, the story reads as thinly veiled promotional material for joining the war effort and becoming an army nurse. Yes, it's a children's book, but it's also a historical artifact in a sense. Which makes it kind of fascinating.
Of course, this book is also a product of its time in some of its depictions of women. On one hand, this book actually features female doctors, rather than the "women=nurses and men=doctors" narrative and I think that reads as kind of progressive for the time. But overall it's still a book from the 40s and the way they describe the female "antagonist" (Mildred) killed me because there is NO WAY this would be published in its current state now. Cherry, who is supposed to be the plucky, likable protagonist, straight up calls her ugly and fat MULTIPLE times, and that's supposed to be a valid reason to dislike Mildred-not the only one, at least, but one of them. The first description we get for this poor girl is that she has a "dumpy figure and an ordinary face".
Next, Cherry does some psychological soul searching at some point, because for some UNKNOWN reason Mildred seems to hate her, and decides that Mildred doesn't like her because she feels self conscious about being unattractive (I'm sorry, I found this passage HILARIOUS because literally what?) The readers are supposed to accept that reasoning, rather that seeing Cherry as a total bitch. Even when she gets called out on being not-so-nice to Mildred by the superintendent, the superintendent is still like, "yeah your opinions on her are accurate but you should still make an effort". I'm honestly not going to be pretend-outraged by this. It's a book that was published in 1944, it honestly is ahead of its time just by passing the Bechtel test. But, I find it humorous how awful some of these passages are through a more modern lens. (#TeamMildred though)
The other thing that was so interesting, reading this book in more modern times, is realizing how far medicine has progressed today. A big plot of this book is regarding research of penicillin-and how that was such a new development at the time, and viewed as a game changer in the war effort that had to be protected from the enemy. It's honestly a little mind-blowing to read and compare to what we view as commonplace treatment today.
All together, this was a really quaint little story that fascinated me more for its glimpse into a WWII America more than anything else.
This book is definitely a product of its time, a quaint remnant of a bygone era. It's a little odd to read this and realize that this book was published in the thralls of WWII-this is historical fiction now, but it wasn't at the time, and despite the simple plot some very real anxiety about how the war might turn out seeps through the book. Oftentimes, the story reads as thinly veiled promotional material for joining the war effort and becoming an army nurse. Yes, it's a children's book, but it's also a historical artifact in a sense. Which makes it kind of fascinating.
Of course, this book is also a product of its time in some of its depictions of women. On one hand, this book actually features female doctors, rather than the "women=nurses and men=doctors" narrative and I think that reads as kind of progressive for the time. But overall it's still a book from the 40s and the way they describe the female "antagonist" (Mildred) killed me because there is NO WAY this would be published in its current state now. Cherry, who is supposed to be the plucky, likable protagonist, straight up calls her ugly and fat MULTIPLE times, and that's supposed to be a valid reason to dislike Mildred-not the only one, at least, but one of them. The first description we get for this poor girl is that she has a "dumpy figure and an ordinary face".
Next, Cherry does some psychological soul searching at some point, because for some UNKNOWN reason Mildred seems to hate her, and decides that Mildred doesn't like her because she feels self conscious about being unattractive (I'm sorry, I found this passage HILARIOUS because literally what?) The readers are supposed to accept that reasoning, rather that seeing Cherry as a total bitch. Even when she gets called out on being not-so-nice to Mildred by the superintendent, the superintendent is still like, "yeah your opinions on her are accurate but you should still make an effort". I'm honestly not going to be pretend-outraged by this. It's a book that was published in 1944, it honestly is ahead of its time just by passing the Bechtel test. But, I find it humorous how awful some of these passages are through a more modern lens. (#TeamMildred though)
The other thing that was so interesting, reading this book in more modern times, is realizing how far medicine has progressed today. A big plot of this book is regarding research of penicillin-and how that was such a new development at the time, and viewed as a game changer in the war effort that had to be protected from the enemy. It's honestly a little mind-blowing to read and compare to what we view as commonplace treatment today.
All together, this was a really quaint little story that fascinated me more for its glimpse into a WWII America more than anything else.
February 1, 2021
Oh Cherry. This is so aggressively patriotic that it makes my teeth hurt. I didn't grow up with these, so they don't have the same nostalgia factor that, say, the Chalet School books do, but they're charmingly outdated (and, sometimes, less charmingly racist and sexist and so on...).
I previously noted that Cherry Ames, Chief Nurse felt like an extended ad for young women to go be nurses for the Army, and the same is true here—very 'Gee whiz, girls, look how wonderful it would be to be a Cadet Nurse! What benefits! No better way to serve your country! Wow!'
The plot, such as there is, is very scattershot—Cherry very earnestly 'adopts' a younger nursing student, finds her dull and standoffish, and just can't understand why anybody wouldn't want all Cherry's superior wisdom. She's gobsmacked when she realises that she gets a better reception by treating Mildred as an equal instead of an inferior. There's also a 'mystery' involving the development of penicillin and trying to keep it away from the enemy (Wells couldn't decide whether the enemy was the Germans or an organised crime ring, but...), but it takes up comparatively little space.
Why did I read this, you ask? Because I wanted something short and fluffy and kind of dumb. It happens.
I previously noted that Cherry Ames, Chief Nurse felt like an extended ad for young women to go be nurses for the Army, and the same is true here—very 'Gee whiz, girls, look how wonderful it would be to be a Cadet Nurse! What benefits! No better way to serve your country! Wow!'
The plot, such as there is, is very scattershot—Cherry very earnestly 'adopts' a younger nursing student, finds her dull and standoffish, and just can't understand why anybody wouldn't want all Cherry's superior wisdom. She's gobsmacked when she realises that she gets a better reception by treating Mildred as an equal instead of an inferior. There's also a 'mystery' involving the development of penicillin and trying to keep it away from the enemy (Wells couldn't decide whether the enemy was the Germans or an organised crime ring, but...), but it takes up comparatively little space.
Why did I read this, you ask? Because I wanted something short and fluffy and kind of dumb. It happens.
October 23, 2019
Cherry Ames Senior Nurse is a book I’m glad I read. It is set in World War Two. In this book, Cherry Ames is a fun loving senior. (The book is almost like The Nancy drew book series except ment for an older audience.) The book follows her as she makes her way through her senior year. Through fun and mysterious times she makes it to graduation, with the help of her best friend and the people she meets along the way. During her training at the hospital she meets a man named Lex Upham. He is well known across the campus as a “dangerous tornado”. Cherry let’s herself trust him and they become good friends. On one of her many adventures Penicillin B was discovered. One of the doctors does not trust her or Lex and tries to blame them forShe and her “adoptie” midge have to work together to save the penicillin when two robbers try to steal it. They do end up saving the penicillin. Even though she and Midge did not get along, they became good friends by the end of the book. Throughout the book Cherry Ames makes new friends and learns many new things. It was a good book that I definitely recommend.
June 20, 2021
How quickly the years flew by as suddenly Cherry is a senior nurse. In this book, Cherry has the same group of friends but now the juniors appear on the scene. Cherry’s previous idea of seniors adopting a junior becomes a reality. However, Cherry, the appointed leader, is disappointed in her adoptee, the sullen Mildred. (I found it interesting that this was similar to another children’s book, Dr. Kildare’s Assigned To Trouble).
Cherry encounters a handsome young doctor. I am thinking this will be a given for the pretty red cheeked nurse.
Cherry helps her friend Dr. Joe in his lab with a new miracle drug that can help the enlisted men, penicillin. In reality, it was British researcher, Dr. Alexander Fleming, not Dr. Joe, who discovered this antibiotic in 1928. Others recreated his work and by WW II, it was used to treat the soldiers. It made a quirky little plot line though.
This series was definitely a plea for nurses especially to serve in the army.
It was fun to read though in its simplicity and does make me feel proud to be in the health field.
Cherry encounters a handsome young doctor. I am thinking this will be a given for the pretty red cheeked nurse.
Cherry helps her friend Dr. Joe in his lab with a new miracle drug that can help the enlisted men, penicillin. In reality, it was British researcher, Dr. Alexander Fleming, not Dr. Joe, who discovered this antibiotic in 1928. Others recreated his work and by WW II, it was used to treat the soldiers. It made a quirky little plot line though.
This series was definitely a plea for nurses especially to serve in the army.
It was fun to read though in its simplicity and does make me feel proud to be in the health field.
December 14, 2019
Spunky Cherry Ames, continues on her journey to become a nurse. The Cherry Ames series, written to inspire girls of the 1940s to become nurses, isn't really doing that great of a job. Not a lot of plot, just a lot of perkiness, pettiness, and melodrama. I am finding Cherry to be not that nice, quick tempered, and smart mouthed, she is pretty immature for someone who is supposed to be inspirational. This...this really got me...her first impression of her "adoptee" was that she was dumpy and unattractive, and she instantly didn't like her and somehow it was the adoptee's fault. So she can only like attractive people? I don't know, I'm just not loving her or the series at the moment. But yay, she graduated so it looks like we are on to #3 and she is off to the Army.
September 16, 2022
Cherry is always such a fun character, but this was not her best rendition. I felt her character was not always true to previous and this book was not as enthralling as others. I was not as anxious to complete and read many other books in between chapters. Having said that, I do love to read about the past nursing ways and compare it to modern medicine. I’ve annotated each book with reference tabs to easily return to my favorite passages. Although this was not my favorite storyline, I can’t wait to see what future adventures sweet Cherry has in store!
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