Cherry Ames, Senior Nurse by Helen Wells

The genre was occasionally criticized for its formulaic plots and the poor construction of the books themselves. Girls' series books follow a girl in her late teens or early twenties, usually with an interesting job, who goes on adventures either on her own or with a small group of friends. The books are an example of the 'girls' series' genre. They were extensively printed in the United Kingdom in the 1950s and 1960s. The books were written by Helen Wells and Julie Tatham and published in the United States by Grosset & Dunlap between 19. In these early adventures, Cherry solves problems and captures criminals when men in authority have failed to do so, 'demonstrating that women can succeed in the public, working world.' Books 'Lex' Upham.Ĭherry's early adventures are set during World War II. Unlike other nurses of girls' fiction, such as Sue Barton, Cherry remains unpartnered throughout her career, although an occasional beau will crop up, such as Dr. Joe sends her on assignments in various parts of the country. Whenever Cherry isn't working with the Visiting Nurse Service, Dr. With the third book in the series Army Nurse, Cherry joins the Army Nurse Corps, and, after the war, she moves to Greenwich Village. There, she meets the classmates who become lifelong friends. Cherry's training at the Spencer Hospital School of Nursing is chronicled in the first two books.

Cherry (short for Charity) hails from Hilton, Illinois (based on Wells' hometown of Danville, Illinois), and was steered into nursing by Dr. The series stars a job-hopping, mystery-solving nurse in the Nancy Drew mold, named Cherry Ames. The series generated a few spin-off items, including a Parker Brothers board game some titles have been reprinted. Cherry Ames original editions are prized by collectors and fans. During World War II, the series encouraged girls to become nurses as a way to aid the war effort. Wells also created the Vicki Barr series. Helen Wells (1910-1986) wrote volumes #1-7 and #17-27, and Julie Campbell Tatham (1908-1999), the creator of Trixie Belden, wrote volumes #8-16. Springer Publishing (reprints, 2005-2007)Ĭherry Ames is the central character in a series of 27 mystery novels with hospital settings published by Grosset & Dunlap between 19. Cover of reprint of Cherry Ames, Student Nurse (1943), the first Cherry Ames book

Cherry Ames, Senior Nurse by Helen Wells