Today's read hit the shelves a month or so ago, and was one I had hoped to pick up earlier but had to be a little patient. But the pre-excitement is always the best excitement! This one heads in the biography direction, one I don't visit very often, and promises to be very interesting. It follows the life of a girl (later woman), who survives leprosy, joins guerrilla fighters, gains war awards, and heads into so much more. So, her life is basically a novel. I'm looking forward to seeing how this is done and hope it's as grabbing as this woman's life has been.
So, let's settle into that chair and take a peek!
Also, it's Monday, which means it's time for the weekly MMGM list. Middle grade literature fans and knowers get together to give their recommendations for the weeks or other thoughts on the middle grade realm. So, if you're looking for reads for this age group, head on over HERE and see what's what on that front!
AT LAST SHE STOOD
How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, And Fought For Freedom
by Erin Entrada Kelly
Greenwillow Books
Middle Grade Biography
208 pages
ages 8 to 12
World War II spy, Filipino guerrilla fighter, war hero, Medal of Freedom recipient, leprosy survivor, teacher, peacemaker . . . The legendary and inspiring life and work of Josefina “Joey” Guerrero is introduced to readers by two-time Newbery Medal winner, National Book Award finalist, and bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly. For fans of Steve Sheinkin and Candace Fleming.
Joey Guerrero, a native of the Philippines, was diagnosed with leprosy (Hansen’s disease) as World War II unfolded in Europe and Asia. Soon after the Japanese occupied the Philippines, Joey—believing she would die soon—joined the guerrilla movement to complete covert missions in support of the Allies. Because of her condition, she was rarely searched by Japanese soldiers, which allowed her to courier secret messages, including an invaluable minefield map that she taped to her back. She was eventually awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and admitted to the National Leprosarium in Carville, Louisiana, where she lived for nine years. When she was cured and released, she found it difficult to find work because of racial discrimination and her health history and was forced to pawn her Presidential Medal to make ends meet. Eventually, she shed her previous identity. When she died in 1996, her obituary identified her as a secretary from Manila. But Joey Guerrero was much more than that—she was a hero who changed the course of history.
Erin Entrada Kelly’s engaging nonfiction debut combines themes of the Philippines, World War II, the Asia-Pacific War, spy stories, Louisiana, immigration, disease and medicine, racism, perseverance, religious devotion, and hope. Illustrated with photographs, maps, and other illustrative material and featuring sidebars that clearly illuminate key moments in history, At Last She Stood is for readers and educators who love Candace Fleming, Deborah Heiligman, Christina Soontornvat, and Steve Sheinkin. Includes an author’s note, source notes, index, and other back matter.
Joey Guerrero, a native of the Philippines, was diagnosed with leprosy (Hansen’s disease) as World War II unfolded in Europe and Asia. Soon after the Japanese occupied the Philippines, Joey—believing she would die soon—joined the guerrilla movement to complete covert missions in support of the Allies. Because of her condition, she was rarely searched by Japanese soldiers, which allowed her to courier secret messages, including an invaluable minefield map that she taped to her back. She was eventually awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and admitted to the National Leprosarium in Carville, Louisiana, where she lived for nine years. When she was cured and released, she found it difficult to find work because of racial discrimination and her health history and was forced to pawn her Presidential Medal to make ends meet. Eventually, she shed her previous identity. When she died in 1996, her obituary identified her as a secretary from Manila. But Joey Guerrero was much more than that—she was a hero who changed the course of history.
Erin Entrada Kelly’s engaging nonfiction debut combines themes of the Philippines, World War II, the Asia-Pacific War, spy stories, Louisiana, immigration, disease and medicine, racism, perseverance, religious devotion, and hope. Illustrated with photographs, maps, and other illustrative material and featuring sidebars that clearly illuminate key moments in history, At Last She Stood is for readers and educators who love Candace Fleming, Deborah Heiligman, Christina Soontornvat, and Steve Sheinkin. Includes an author’s note, source notes, index, and other back matter.
MY TIDBITS
While these pages tell the story of an inspiring woman, Joey Guerrero, the history richness goes even further to create a well-rounded, interesting dive into the Philippines during WWII.
To say that Joey Guerrero led an interesting life is an understatement. From horrid diseases to dangerous missions and so much more, she took on everything that came her way. While only the first pages concentrate on her childhood, the author has kept the middle grade reader in mind as they present Joey's life, even as an adult, in a grabbing, down-to-earth way. Certain events are described with an almost story-like atmosphere but quickly venture back into the nonfiction realm to keep facts close and clear. But then, this isn't only the biography of Joey. Instead, the background of other people, which influenced her life, also come in along the way to keep the pacing steady and make the difficulties of the time frame clear. There are also many subsections printed in information boxes, which describe related facts and events such as leprosy, WWII and more.
Photos, related to the situations, as well as maps and more add substance and make the events hit with more potency and understanding. The reader comes out knowing much more about the role the Philippines played during the time period as well as many difficulties people faced. I didn't know much about the attacks by the Japanese on the Philippines, nor was I aware of the American involvement. This book fills that whole, while keeping it mostly interesting for the middle grade reader.
History fans are sure to enjoy this one, but it's also a nice fit for classrooms and groups, who want to learn more about these events and Joey's contributions.
And here she is...
Erin Entrada Kelly is the author of the Newbery Medal–winning novels Hello, Universe and The First State of Being, which was also named a finalist for the National Book Award. She received a Newbery Honor for her acclaimed novel We Dream of Space. Erin Entrada Kelly grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and now lives in Delaware. She teaches in the MFA in writing for children and young adults program at Hamline University. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Philippines Free Press Literary Award for Short Fiction and the Pushcart Prize. Before becoming a children’s author, Erin Entrada Kelly worked as a journalist and magazine editor and received numerous awards for community service journalism, feature writing, and editing from the Louisiana Press Association and the Associated Press.
Erin Entrada Kelly’s debut novel, Blackbird Fly, was a Kirkus Best Book of the Year, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, an ALSC Notable Book, and an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book. She is also the author of The Land of Forgotten Girls, winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature; You Go First, an Indie Next Pick; Lalani of the Distant Sea, an Indie Next Pick; Those Kids from Fawn Creek, named to numerous best-of-the-year lists; and five popular novels for younger readers, Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey, Surely Surely Marisol Rainey, Only Only Marisol Rainey, Your Turn Marisol Rainey, and Felix Powell, Boy Dog, which she also illustrated. Erin Entrada Kelly’s acclaimed nonfiction debut, At Last She Stood, tells the sweeping story of Filipino World War II guerrilla fighter Josefina Guerrero.
Erin Entrada Kelly’s debut novel, Blackbird Fly, was a Kirkus Best Book of the Year, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, an ALSC Notable Book, and an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book. She is also the author of The Land of Forgotten Girls, winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature; You Go First, an Indie Next Pick; Lalani of the Distant Sea, an Indie Next Pick; Those Kids from Fawn Creek, named to numerous best-of-the-year lists; and five popular novels for younger readers, Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey, Surely Surely Marisol Rainey, Only Only Marisol Rainey, Your Turn Marisol Rainey, and Felix Powell, Boy Dog, which she also illustrated. Erin Entrada Kelly’s acclaimed nonfiction debut, At Last She Stood, tells the sweeping story of Filipino World War II guerrilla fighter Josefina Guerrero.
6 comments:
This sounds amazing! I'm adding it to my reading list now.
Wow, this woman had quite an amazing life. I really enjoyed The First State of Being by Kelly. She's an amazing writer.
I'm not reading blogs this week because I've been out of town, but I had to read yours and put this book on my TBR list. Thanks!
I already have this one on my TBR list and your review has me anxious to move it up in the pile. This author has always been one of my favorites. Thanks for being a part of MMGM this week.
What a fascinating life and an amazing woman! How interesting especially with the Filipino background and setting. Thanks so much for the recommendation! One to watch out for!
This sounds really interesting. I think young readers will really be taken with it. Thanks for the review.
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