A searchable database of books recommended by the CCBC.
More information about CCBC Choices book recommendations
At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom
CCBC Review:
While the author of this account acknowledges that there are significant chunks of information missing about Joey Guerrero’s life, this biography nonetheless feels satisfyingly complete. As a young woman living in her native Philippines, Guerrero contracted Hansen’s disease (then known as leprosy) just prior to the arrival of World War II in the Pacific. Despite scientific knowledge that Hansen’s disease is not easily spread, and that 95 percent of people are immune, it was highly stigmatized; Guerrero received intermittent treatment in secret. Extraordinarily selfless and courageous, she worked with guerilla groups, passing critical information, spying, and, most notably, delivering—on foot—a map of land mines that allowed the U.S. military to liberate prisoners of war at Santo Tomas. After the war, Guerrero spent some time in a quarantine center where conditions were horrific; there she did all she could to improve the lives of other patients before she was finally given permission to travel to the United States for treatment at the renowned leprosarium in Carville, Louisiana. Largely considered a hero in both the United States and the Philippines for her service during the war, Guerrero chose to live a life of anonymity after she had recovered. While Guerrero is the primary subject, the compelling and compassionate narrative is supplemented by additional information about key events and people in the Philippines during World War II. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: 9-12
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Formats:
Biography, Autobiography and Memoir
Substantial Narrative Non-Fiction
Subjects:
20th Century
Biography
Filipinos and Filipino Americans
Illness and Disease
Soldiers/Military
World History
World War II
Diversity subject:
Asian
Christian
Physical Disability/Condition
Publishers:
Greenwillow, HarperCollins
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 186
ISBN: 9780063218901
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 920 Guerrero