Cherry Ames Books In Order

Publication Order of Cherry Ames Books

By: Helen Wells, Julie Tatham

Cherry Ames Series
Cherry Ames is a young adult Series by Helen Wells and Julie Tatham. The series stars Cherry Ames, a spirited job-hopping young nurse with a knack for solving mysteries. Out of 27 books, Wells wrote book one to seven, Tatham wrote 8-16, and Wells wrote the rest. The first four in the series cover the Second World War and follow Cherry through her training in nursing school, her senior years and graduations, as well as her life in the army. The two authors write very well, and all the books come with a simple plot that many young adults can follow with ease.

Cherry Ames, Student Nurse
Student Nurse is the first book in the Cherry Ames series. The book stars Charity Ames, otherwise known as Cherry, thanks to her red lips and rosy cheeks. Cherry is about to go to nursing school, a career she got interested in after seeing how dedicated an old doctor friend was to his work. Dr. Joe is quick to note Cherry’s interest in the medical field, and he does his part to encourage Cherry to follow her dream. Her wealthy parents are worried about her, as they wonder whether she has what it takes to make it in her career of choice. However, Cherry is determined, and as her twin brother goes off for his engineering studies, she also leaves her Hilton, Illinois home for Spencer Nursing school.

Cherry’s first days at school are characterized by anxiety and anticipation. What awaits this beautiful girl in nursing? Hospital life turns to be more than she anticipated. The second world war is raging, and most of the nurses are at the front, taking care of wounded soldiers. This means that Cherry and her classmates have to learn on the job as the hospitals are understaffed and overwhelmed. As days go by, Cherry settle in her routine, as she gathers the skills needed to graduate. Cherry also gets new friends who make her life in the hospital much enjoyable. The author draws a perfect picture of the bustle characteristic of hospital life.

In addition to her studies, Cherry will also be trying to solve a patient’s mystery. No one seems to know anything about this mystery patient. The patient’s room is marked Broom Closet, and no matter how many times his bell rings, the nurses are prohibited from going to this room. Cherry is tempted to check whether the mystery patient’s life in danger. Why else would the bell keep on ringing? Could an electrical fault be the cause? Tension mounts as Cherry’s interest in the patient increases, and you can’t help but wonder what the secrecy is all about. Will Cherry risk her job and answer this patient’s call? What does she discover about the patient?

Student Nurse is set in Spencer Hospital Nursing school. Cherry grows from an anxious eighteen-year-old wondering what it would take to earn a cap to a confident, fully-fledged nurse. The story is chatty and focuses more on Cherry’s life and her experiences as a nurse. Through Cherry, the reader gets a feel of the second world war. Most of the experiences are of those who didn’t go to battle but were affected. This book was designed to encourage more girls to join the nursing field, and the author has managed to paint the career in a very positive light.

Cherry Ames, Senior Nurse
Senior Nurse is the second book in the Cherry Ames series. As Cherry becomes more experienced in her field, she realizes that she has to step up and be responsible and sober. Cherry is a senior nurse now, and she has a first-year nurse to mentor. This doesn’t stop her from letting the children enjoy a rabbit they had sneaked into the hospital. Cherry is disappointed to be paired with Mildred Burnham, who she finds sullen and dull. However, as the senior nurse and her adoptee get to know each other, Cherry discovers that Mildred is nothing like she seems.

Dr. Joe, Cherry’s family friend, has made a startling discovery. However, Cherry quickly discovers that his findings have become common knowledge. Once again, she gets involved in a mystery, this time around, on Penicillin. Who could have stolen Dr. Joe’s work, and how can they be stopped? Together, Cherry and Mildred will work to solve this mystery. It admirable how patriotic Cherry is to her country. We get to see her agonizing on whether to stay and serve from home or join other volunteers in the field. Before this time comes, Cherry spends her days delivering babies, catching up with dangerous thieves, and simply having the time of her life.

Cherry is a likable character. She seems to get along with most of her colleagues and patients. Additionally, Cherry is happy to go beyond the line of duty to help those in need. Unlike other young girls born in this era, Cherry is career-oriented and wastes no time thinking about husbands. The characters here do enjoy a simpler way of life. Life is not as complicated, and there seems to be more love spread even to strangers.

The author brings out the best of America in the 40s. While the effects of the war can still be felt, people still enjoy the little pleasures that life has to offer. The discussion on Penicillin is enjoyable, and it is incredible how scientists rushed to make a synthetic version of the drug to produce enough for the soldiers. Looking at the advancements in medicine today compared to what is written in this book, it is easy to appreciate how far we have come.
Senior Nurse is a well-written story on nursing, medicine, and the happenings inside a hospital. This story comes with just the right dose of nostalgia, especially for readers who enjoyed the book in their teenage. Characteristic of the series, the book paints nursing as a glamorous career that more young people should consider. The writing is commendable, the flow perfect, and the story’s length is ideal for single-sitting reading.