A very interesting person that I knew nothing about before reading this biography. This book also does a good job at giving background information to help the reader understand context.

Thank you to Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, and Netgalley for the digital arc.
A visit to a Rehoboth Beach bookstore was the inspiration for Erin Entrada Kelly's first nonfiction book, a biography about WWII Philippine guerrilla, Joey Guerrero. In the first half of the book, her biography is entwined with the history of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, especially the area around Manila. Joey' s life was complicated. She was married, had a daughter, and suffered from leprosy, which helped her as a courier between the Philippine guerrillas and the Allies. After the war, Joey's life progressed through many stages-- recipient of the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, patient and advocate, the move to the United States, college student, and peace corp. Her story is a study in fortitude and bravery, and the author has done an exceptional job of portraying Joey Guerrero against the changing backdrops of her life. Generous resources , bibliography , and notes make this a valuable historical resource for the times.
 #AtLastSheStood

This was a biography I could not put down. The story of Joey Guerrero was not one really known by anyone, but Erin Entrada Kelly dug into her life and pulled out a gem of a story! What an incredible person, who accomplished so much, and yet could have been forgotten. I had recently read another book featuring Hansen's disease, so the fact that Joey had this disease made this book even more intriguing. Despite the physical pain and the ostracism of others, Joey persevered and did not let her disease define her or her life. She fought for herself, her country and her people, and never forgot her faith in spite of all that happened to her. Joey had an incredible story, and thanks to Erin Entrada Kelly's detailed research and exquisite storytelling, her story will not be forgotten.

Thank you to NetGalley and Greenwillow Books for the opportunity to read this book!

Erin Entrada Kelly's first foray into nonfiction is a triumph. I read this book because of my love for the author and I am so glad I did, because I would have kept going without knowing Josefina “Joey” Guerrero's story and that would be a true shame. I hope everyone reads this book!

At Last She Stood follows the story of Joey Guerrero, a woman who acted as a spy and assisted Allies in the Philippines in World War II, all while fighting leprosy (Hansen’s disease). This book follows the narratives of a few individuals in the Philippines, while also giving a broader introduction of World War II for younger readers.

After the war ends, Joey’s story continues. She advocated for those like her who had been diagnosed with Hansen’s disease - knowing she would be greatly discriminated against. We know now that Hansen’s disease is difficult to spread to others (95 percent of the world is naturally immune) but in Joey’s lifetime the disease was greatly feared and surrounded by misinformation.

I was struck by Joey’s resilience, courage, and determination - not just in wartime but in the aftermath. So many challenges confronted her throughout her life, but she persevered and continued to care for and help others along the way.

Thanks @netgalley for the ARC
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At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom, Erin Entrada Kelly

Joey Guerrero's life was one of great challenge, a belief in the goodness of others, and bravery. Erin Entrada Kelly's nonfiction debut highlights World War Two history set in the Philippines that I was not as familiar with and the story of a brave, unassuming women who despite many setbacks found ways to connect with others and ultimately inspire hope.
Kelly is transparent in what is known in this story and her approach to this research. Although the entire book was a page turner for me personally, Erin's description of Hansen's disease (leprosy) was especially fascinating. Much like Peg Kehret's memoir about polio (Small Steps), this book gave me new insights into a disease I thought I knew quite well. I great addition to middle grade school libraries.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced legally in exchange for this honest review.

A very interesting look at Joey Guerreno, a largely forgotten Filipino woman who suffered from Hansen's Disease [Leprosy], but never let it stop her from living life [she was even married and had a child], to the point that not only did she spy for the Allies during World War 2, she smuggled important documents, taped to her back, at great risk to her life *AND* health [this part of the book is extremely nerve-wracking and I found myself holding my breath over and over again as she completed these dangerous missions].

Well-written [with a very interesting note from the author at how this book came to be], this was an excellent look into an amazing woman's life, from the time she was a child until her death and all that she did and accomplished over that time. Not all of it is happy, but she accepted that and always moved forward. She is very inspiring and anyone who loves history will love this look into one of the lost heroes of that time.

Well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Erin Entrada Kelly, and HarperCollins Children's Books/Greenwillow Book for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of those fascinating books that you might look at all the images in and read all the end papers and author’s notes first. I didn’t have all of the background knowledge I needed it when I first started the book, but after exploring the supplemental materials, I was hooked! This is a super engaging and inspiring story of a heroic woman with leprosy who, at times, was able to use it to her advantage to get needed information. It is sad to read about many parts of her life and sacrifices she needed to make to survive. This definitely will be a biography that will get readers in my middle school classroom.

If you have a kid who devours WWII stories, *At Last She Stood* by Erin Entrada Kelly is a must-read. I was immediately drawn in by the simplicity of the voice-Kelly makes history feel personal and accessible without ever talking down to her audience. The pacing is spot-on: fast enough to keep young readers hooked, but never rushed. I especially appreciated the detailed historical accounts woven throughout; you can tell Kelly put in the work to uncover Joey Guerrero’s incredible story.

This book stands out for its balance of action, emotion, and real-life stakes. Joey’s bravery as a leprosy patient-turned-spy in Japanese-occupied Manila is both inspiring and eye-opening. I loved how the sidebars and photos add context without slowing the story down-perfect for readers who want to dig deeper but still crave a gripping narrative.

Ideal for middle-grade readers who love WWII nonfiction or want to see history through a new lens, *At Last She Stood* is both educational and genuinely moving.

I have never heard of Joey Guerrero before, though I hope she was mentioned at least in passing during one of the sections on WWII I sat through during my years of schooling. Either way, I'm glad I know her story now, and I'm excited that middle grade readers will know about her as well.

As admitted in the author's note, Joey did her best to fade into the background of history, so unearthing details of her life was no easy task. But AT LAST SHE STOOD does not feel like it is lacking in events or details of Joey's life. I also love that readers learn about ​Gertrude "Gertie" Hornsbostel and Lourdes "Lulu" Reyes among other people who played important roles in either the history of the Philippines and/or the medical progress made in treating Hansen’s disease.

While the audiobook is very well done, I highly recommend reading a print copy (physical or digital) so that you can see the photos included. I'm glad that I had the chance to co-read this, flipping through a digital ARC while listening to the audiobook. The photos add a whole other layer to the events during Joey's life.

Nonfiction books can be hard to convince tweens and teens to pick up, but much like with Steve Sheinkin's books, this one reads like a work of fiction. I'm positive that once started, readers will be fully engaged and will want to continue reading.

Ferdelle Capistrano does a great job with the audiobook narration.

Advanced Reader’s Copies (I ended up with an egalley and the audiobook) that were provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The audiobook is from HarperAudio Children’s/Greenwillow Books and the egalley is from HarperCollins Children's Books/Greenwillow Books.

At Last She Stood is a fantastic nonfiction novel about a woman named Joey Guerrero who was a hero, a leprosy survivor, and a truly incredible and inspiring woman. Readers will learn about Joey's childhood in the Philippines and about her time in the Philippines during WWII. Despite having leprosy, Joey served as a spy, delivering important maps to troops and changing the course of the war in that area. Readers will learn about Joey's life after the war, and all of the challenges she faced once she was able to leave the Philippines and head to the United States. Readers will be shocked and inspired by Joey's bravery and resilience. Erin does a phenomenal job of telling Joey's story while also teaching kids about what was happening at that time. She takes time to explain important vocabulary and ideas that kids may not understand, in a way that makes the story come to life. A must read book!

A remarkable woman whose story has been largely forgotten by history, Joey Guerrero was a Filipino guerilla fighter, WW2 spy, Hansen’s disease (leprosy) survivor, advocate, and Medal of Freedom recipient. This book dives into her incredible life story, and shows the many ways she was able to impact the people around her. And through following her story, we learn about the history of the Philippines, what the country endured during WW2, the history of leprosy treatment and more.

This is a middle grade book, but I think all age groups would benefit from picking it up. Especially if you’d like to learn more about the Philippines. It’s a reminder of all the stories from history that haven’t yet been told, and all the people who have lived amazing lives and haven’t been given the recognition they deserve.

Joey Guerrero would have been an amazing person for any one of her several accomplishments. Delivering a map through a war-torn area, helping the others when she is confined for leprosy, her time in the Peace Corps -- those were just a few of her feats. Yet she was modest and kept her faith and had to hide who she was because of prejudice.
This is an important story for everyone to learn about strength and persistence.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Reading the author's end note made it clear that there were many gaps in Joey Guerrero's history that simply could not be filled. While I enjoyed learning about this incredible woman, the incompleteness of the story felt overwhelming.

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

Wow, Josefina “Joey” Guerrero, was an amazing woman who could have been lost to history and she may have wanted it that way. Joey was a fighter and a survivor who spied on the Japanese in the Philippines during WW2 all while having leprosy (Hansen’s disease). She eventually came to the USA and died without fanfare here at an old age. A wonderful story that taught me a lot about the Philippines, the Japanese invasion and leprosy treatments here and abroad. I hope lots of people read this book,

This book for middle graders tells the fascinating and inspiring story of Josefina “Joey” Guerrero, a Filipina who was a WWII spy, war hero, teacher, peacemaker, and leprosy survivor, inter alia.

Ironically, it was Joey’s leprosy that allowed her to be such a good spy. She joined the guerillas - small groups of Filipino combatants who worked with the US military to fight the Japanese. The Japanese rarely searched her because of fear of her disease, so she was able to courier secret messages, including a minefield map she taped to her back.

After the war she moved to the US and was eventually cured of leprosy, but still suffered discrimination both because of the stigma of the disease added to racial discrimination. She actually had to pawn the US Presidential Medal of Freedom she was given for her war heroism in order to make ends meet.

When she died in 1996, her obituary only identified her as a secretary from Manila.

The author uses an engaging combination of narrative text, photos, maps, and side bars to set the historical stage for readers and tell Joey’s story. There is also an author’s note, source notes, index, and other back matter.

Evaluation: It would be hard not to have a good book with such an amazing story to tell. But Kelly makes it even better by adding so much background information. Nothing seemed to stop Josefina Guerrero from doing everything it took to do what she could for justice. Highly recommended for all age groups.

An amazing story of a heroic woman who lived with Hansen's disease (known previously as lepresy), and courageously acted as a guerrilla spy in the Philippines during WWII to help defeat the Japanese army. Joey Guerrero should have worldwide recognition for her contributions to society. As a Catholic, I think she would even qualify for sainthood, and that is not an exaggeration.

The author, Erin Entrada Kelly, is herself known for her Newberry-award winning books and outstanding fiction for young people. This non-fiction biopic and history genre book seems to be a departure from her other work, but she, like Joey Guerrera, is incredibly versatile and talented. Readers will learn about the resistance in the Philippines during WWII, historical information about famous figures such as Joan of Arc, or historical events such as the Japanese internment, and the history of lepresy (now known as Hansen's disease.)

I highly recommend this book for schools, and libraries.

This compelling account of Joey Guerrero opened my eyes to yet another hero of WWII.
Her story reminds me of that of Corrie Ten Boom.
Both spoke for those who could not speak for themselves with a quiet courage that enriched and ultimately saved lives.
God be praised for Joey’s bravery.

A MG biography about an unsung hero in World War II.
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Joey Guerrero, a native of the Philippines, was diagnosed with leprosy during World War II and basically shunned from everything and everyone she knew. When the Japanese occupied the Philippines, Joey, thinking she would die of the disease soon, joined the guerrilla movement to complete covert missions in support of the Allies. No one wanted to touch Guerrero for fear of catching her sickness so she was able to move freely and courier secret messages. She eventually won the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom for her efforts. When she’s cured of leprosy after a nine year stint at the National Leprosarium, Guerrero struggled to find work due to her health history and racial discrimination due to her thick accent. Guerrero died in 1996 in DC and she’s listed as a secretary from Manila, but really she’s a hero who needs to be taught in schools across the world.
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This was such a well-researched and well-written biography by @erinentrada I’m sad to admit that I haven’t heard much about Joey Guerrero before diving into this nonfiction book. We absolutely need more titles like this in our libraries so that kids can learn about the people rarely taught in history classes in the U.S. Guerrero was a hero and a survivor who never gave up. She’s a woman to emulate and look up to. Educators: it’s also a great way to show text features such as maps, sidebars, photographs, and other illustrated material. This book releases May 6!

CW: disease, death, illness, medical content, war (theme), racism, poverty, discrimination

This is the story of Joey Guerrero, a woman whose faith upheld her during a life of hardship and amazing accomplishment. Despite having Hansen’s Disease (leprosy), she was a World War II spy and Filipino guerrilla fighter, and an advocate for herself and others afflicted with Hansen’s disease who were isolated and cut off from the world in deplorable conditions. Erin Entrada Kelly not only enlightens the reader about Joey Guerrero, and how little is known about her, but gives us a brief history of the Philippines and WWII in the Philippines, and the history and science of Hansen’s Disease. An amazing book.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for this DRC.
#AtLastSheStood #NetGalley