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Cherry Ames #5
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The United States is still fighting World War II. Cherry Ames is still an Army Nurse, this time aloft�as a flight nurse. Cherry is reunited with her corpsman Bunce�the two of them are in sole charge of ferrying severely wounded men out of the battlefield and to the nearest Army hospital. Much to Pilot Wade Cooper's chagrin, he has been taken off bomber duty to fly the wounded to safety�until Cherry makes him see otherwise. Off duty, the nurses "adopt" 6-year-old Muriel Grainger, who has known nothing but war in her short life, and whose mother has been killed by the Germans. Her father is often out on mysterious errands that cause some to label him a "spy." Cherry makes it her risky business to find out if this is truth or rumor.
139 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1945
About the author
Helen Wells
153 books66 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 41 reviews
May 7, 2024
Another fun adventure with Cherry! I enjoyed following Cherry as she attends to wounded soldiers on the Army planes. There was an interesting mystery with a family in the English village where Cherry was stationed. ✈️👩🏻⚕️
November 23, 2012
This was okay, I guess. I'm giving it three stars for sentimental reasons. I definitely think I enjoyed reading these more when I was nearer the age of the target audience. I'm starting to get bored by the formulaic nature of the series and lack of character development.
I noticed that they edited some things in the recent reprints. For example, the very first page of the story tells of Ann buying cigarettes for the pilot of her plane. The new version, however, has changed it from cigarettes to gum. I don’t like smoking at all, but this book was written in the 1940s and it’s meant to reflect its time. It makes me wonder what else they edited. Hmm. There are also a lot of typos. Next time I will read one of the original copies and see if there are fewer mistakes in that regard.
Whereas the last book focused on the Pacific Theater, this one takes place in the European Theater. There is some action and danger, as well as the usual mystery, and a sales pitch for the nursing profession woven in. Some parts that portray the horrors of war are very sad. My favorite part of the book was the beautiful scene at the end of the Christmas chapter (page 148 in the copy I read).
I noticed that they edited some things in the recent reprints. For example, the very first page of the story tells of Ann buying cigarettes for the pilot of her plane. The new version, however, has changed it from cigarettes to gum. I don’t like smoking at all, but this book was written in the 1940s and it’s meant to reflect its time. It makes me wonder what else they edited. Hmm. There are also a lot of typos. Next time I will read one of the original copies and see if there are fewer mistakes in that regard.
Whereas the last book focused on the Pacific Theater, this one takes place in the European Theater. There is some action and danger, as well as the usual mystery, and a sales pitch for the nursing profession woven in. Some parts that portray the horrors of war are very sad. My favorite part of the book was the beautiful scene at the end of the Christmas chapter (page 148 in the copy I read).
September 18, 2017
Cherry Ames, Flight Nurse is the fifth book in the Cherry Ames series. This particular book is by Helen Wells.
I liked this adaptation to the series. I found it kept my attention better than the last book did.
I know the mysteries in each book are there to give it a bit of a plot, but I agree with another reviewer who said Cherry should just stick to her nursing duties. The mysteries feel out-of-place. The series is called "Cherry Ames NURSE Stories", not "Cherry Ames Nursing and-detecting-on-the-side Stories".
Even though Mark was eventually innocent, I doubt that Cherry would still go unpunished. She let a random "civilian" on board, and he didn't have proper identification. what if he was a spy? what then? Does her letting him on a plane and him just happening to NOT be a spy suddenly clear her if the huge risk she took? I don't think so!!!
Okay, sorry. Rant over.
I liked the descriptions of the suspenseful flights Cherry went on. I also enjoyed the impromptu army wedding that was held.
3.5 stars out of 5.
I liked this adaptation to the series. I found it kept my attention better than the last book did.
I know the mysteries in each book are there to give it a bit of a plot, but I agree with another reviewer who said Cherry should just stick to her nursing duties. The mysteries feel out-of-place. The series is called "Cherry Ames NURSE Stories", not "Cherry Ames Nursing and-detecting-on-the-side Stories".
Even though Mark was eventually innocent, I doubt that Cherry would still go unpunished. She let a random "civilian" on board, and he didn't have proper identification. what if he was a spy? what then? Does her letting him on a plane and him just happening to NOT be a spy suddenly clear her if the huge risk she took? I don't think so!!!
Okay, sorry. Rant over.
I liked the descriptions of the suspenseful flights Cherry went on. I also enjoyed the impromptu army wedding that was held.
3.5 stars out of 5.
March 21, 2023
This might be my favorite book in the series - so far. It had fun, intrigue and romance; who could ask for anything more. Oh yes, it was a quick, enjoyable read as well. This book finds our heroine in jolly ole England near war's end. This time around she's reunited with corpsman, Bunce. Together they work to fetch and return with the battlefield wounded. Basically, the return trip is a hospital in the sky. That aspect alone opened my eyes. I had no idea that type of nursing existed/exists, which probably added to why I liked the book so much.
September 2, 2023
A strong entry in the series as Cherry becomes a flight nurse and works with patients flying from one part of Great Britain to another, as well as flying in five missions to rescue wounded servicemen near the battle front in Europe. The tension, both of waiting and dealing both with wounded men and Luftwaffe plans shooting at hers, are quite well presented. There's a romantic subplot with her pilot, Wade Cooper, who will appear in other books in the series. There's also a plot of a little girl from a neighboring village, whose father has left the British army under mysterious circumstances and is suspected of traitorous activities. Several of Cherry's chums from Spencer serve at the same base as her, and one of them, Ann, gets married to her longtime fiancé.
July 7, 2024
One of the things I like about reading Cherry Ames is you get a little more than you bargain for when it comes to Kid's series mysteries. In the early books, like this one, WWII is the backdrop and we meet a whole new cast of characters, along with a few old friends coming for the ride, while Cherry learns a new nursing job. The mystery, often isn't all that big. She doesn't really have much time to solve it, what with going to rescue wounded soldiers by air. In this one, the answers really emerge more than they are hunted down.
July 14, 2018
Fast, fun, nostalgic read. I had never read any of this series and bought some for a hot summer's day read. I am reading When Books Went To War and Cherry Ames series was a popular stateside set of books for girls. The books are fast paced and easy to read. Probably livelier than some of the heavy books mentioned in When Books Went To War!
April 13, 2020
Cherry and her friends are accepted as Army Air Forces flight nurses. After graduating, they are assigned to England, where they evacuate wounded soldiers from European battlefields, sometimes under fire themselves. At the same time, Cherry has a mystery to solve, regarding English friends of her old friend Dr. Joe Fortune. Quick paced and interesting, if not quite believable at times.
July 20, 2020
While I had several problems with the main storyline of this book, I loved reading about the war nursing experience, particularly for the flight nurses. This was a branch of war nursing that I didn't know existed, though it does make sense. I have one other old Cherry Ames book in my collection. I'm looking forward to reading it.
May 1, 2022
When I was a kid, the library at church had a complete set of Cherry Ames, a complete set of the Hardy Boys, and a complete set of Nancy Drew. I read them all. I felt nostalgic for those books and just reread this Cherry Ames. Revisiting Cherry's cheerful (whitewashed, heteronormative, limiting) world for a moment took me back to sitting in the quiet, dusty library.
January 30, 2022
The decision to re-read these books that were so important to me 60 years ago continues to be satisfying and enlightening. This one is especially to be commended for its harrowing and informative descriptions of battlefield nursing. The series is educational and inspiring.
April 12, 2019
3.5 stars. I enjoyed it.
July 10, 2019
This is one of the few Cherry Ames books I read when I was a kid. I still really enjoyed it!
September 23, 2021
This is absolutely one of my favorites in this series.
April 2, 2022
Cherry helps soldiers by care for them on plane flights
August 29, 2022
This was another amazing instalment of Cherry Ames, this time as a flight nurse in the UK during WW2. I can’t get enough of Cherry.
April 27, 2023
wade was so down bad for cherry
June 7, 2024
I believe this volume is my favorite of the Cherry Ames books so far. Wade Cooper is an absolute dreamboat ❤️
October 25, 2016
A really wonderful, fictional account of a nurse during WWII.
January 17, 2016
Cherry has now moved on from being the chief nurse on an island in the Pacific to becoming a flight nurse, helping get men from the battlefield back to a hospital via plane and helping them on the plane as much as she and the others can do.
It's also involves a mystery about a guy that could be a spy or he could just be a loving father. Cherry is involved with that. She also gets a taste of aerial combat, this time involving the Germans as she is now stationed in England.
The books just keep being really worth reading. They are fascinating and provide a look back at conditions during the war.
It's also involves a mystery about a guy that could be a spy or he could just be a loving father. Cherry is involved with that. She also gets a taste of aerial combat, this time involving the Germans as she is now stationed in England.
The books just keep being really worth reading. They are fascinating and provide a look back at conditions during the war.
April 28, 2016
My quest to read all the old Cherry Ames books continues with Flight Nurse. It isn't one of the finer volumes of the collection, but I always love reading the history of nursing through novel form and enjoyed learning about fictionalized flight nursing during World War I (seems cold, hypoxic, and with no supplies). I wish they would stop trying to make Cherry a Nancy Drew detective and have her solving ridiculous mysteries in every book. She make a much better nurse than private investigator.
October 15, 2008
I started collecting Cherry Ames books when I was a little girl. Written during a period when there was an obvious shortage in the nursing field, the books were written to expose young girls to the excitement of nursing coupled with the entertainment of a mystery. Good memories, but not exactly applicable today, especially in regards to the medical treatment and advice included in the stories. Still collecting though! And yes, I did become a nurse...
October 22, 2019
My second favorite book in the series. I remember being enthralled by the descriptions of wartime England and the privations they had to endure. I loved that the nurses adopted one of the English children as a mascot, but I liked it even better when they invited all the village children over for a holiday dinner and presents. The writing was tense when the girls were shipped to England and had to observe black out conditions. And the description of the combat flight was especially thrilling.
September 25, 2016
Another very cool chapter in Nurse Ames career. She continues her military nursing, this time transporting wounded soldiers out of war zones to safer hospitals for recovery. It's very adventurous and even a little mysterious! Too bad they are sending her back to the States. We shall see what is in store for Cherry in her next book!
July 30, 2007
The best of the series IMHO! Formulaic, yes, contrived plots, yes, but with the previous book, preserved the heroism and courage of the women who served in WWII and were shunted off to the side afterwards....
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January 25, 2010the postmistress got me in the wwii mood. otherwise, nothing in common here.
***
LOVE the wwii propoganda... in the grace harlowe overseas books, germans are "huns," and 25 years later, they're "jerries"...oh, the period atmosphere!
***
LOVE the wwii propoganda... in the grace harlowe overseas books, germans are "huns," and 25 years later, they're "jerries"...oh, the period atmosphere!
September 7, 2012
This is the first chapter book I read.... loved it! I was 10 years old and asked my parents all kinds of questions about World War two. Sparked so much interest on so many tangents. Thanks Mom for this wonderful Christmas gift!
October 6, 2013
Oh, how I longed to be Cherry Ames. I’m still shocked I didn’t become a nurse, just because of her.
If I had girls, I'd buy these books for them. Cherry Ames was smart and hardworking and she didn't go all googly over every guy that passed.
If I had girls, I'd buy these books for them. Cherry Ames was smart and hardworking and she didn't go all googly over every guy that passed.
August 9, 2009
One of Cherry's more exciting adventures. Again, she doesn't really provide any nursing care, but at least this time she's involved in a dangerous wartime mission.
August 9, 2015
I think this is the best one yet
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews