At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom

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Synopsis
"A courageous, uplifting biography of a woman almost lost to history.” –ALA Booklist 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.
Copyright:
2025

Book Details

Book Quality:
Publisher Quality
ISBN-13:
9780063218925
Related ISBNs:
9780063218901
Publisher:
HarperCollins
Date of Addition:
Copyrighted By:
Erin Entrada Kelly. Map of Joey’s journey by Ryan O’Rourke. Photo credits: here : Joey Guerrero, circa
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Has Image Descriptions:
No
Categories:
History, Children's Books, Military, Nonfiction, Biographies and Memoirs
Grade Levels:
Third grade, Fourth grade, Fifth grade, Sixth grade, Seventh grade
Reading Age:
8–12
Submitted By:
Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:
This is a copyrighted book.

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