At Last She Stood

“Kelly’s biography reveals the extraordinary life of Josefina “Joey” Guerrero. Despite considering herself ordinary, Guerrero was anything but… . Kelly’s meticulously researched work provides rich context on Philippine colonization, WWII, and Hansen’s disease, complemented by maps, historical photographs, and illustrations… . This compelling biography belongs in every library, enhancing instruction and research on women’s history, WWII, the Philippines, and Hansen’s disease.” – School Library Journal (starred review)

“Kelly excavates the life of a brave, little-known Filipina who helped the Allied Forces win WWII while living with Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy… . Kelly recreates vivid moments throughout [Joey Guerrero’s] life, interspersing historical context surrounding key figures, leprosy treatment, and Filipino history. The result is a handy primer for those interested in the period, and a bolstering entreaty for readers to seek out more information.” – Publishers Weekly

At Last She Stood tells Guerrero’s story with compassion and respect, and enables the young audience to appreciate the incredible depth of her courage and resilience… . [It] gives a remarkable woman the respect and recognition she deserves. – Shelf Awareness

“An intriguing, well-told account of an extraordinary life.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Newbery medalist Kelly returns to her journalism roots with this biography of Josefina “Joey” Guerrero, a small but fierce Filipina woman who overcame staggering challenges… . A courageous, uplifting biography of a woman almost lost to history.” – Booklist

“In this gripping biography, readers are introduced to Josefina “Joey” Guerrero, a Filipino spy in World War II… . Joey’s remarkable life and her sheer persistence through pain to effect change is…carefully developed and well-presented.” – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Erin Entrada Kelly is the author of the Newbery Medal-winning novels Hello, Universe and The First State of Being, which was also named a finalist for the National Book Award. She received a Newbery Honor for her acclaimed novel We Dream of Space. Erin Entrada Kelly grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and now lives in Delaware. She teaches in the MFA in writing for children and young adults program at Hamline University. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Philippines Free Press Literary Award for Short Fiction and the Pushcart Prize. Before becoming a children’s author, Erin worked as a journalist and magazine editor and received numerous awards for community service journalism, feature writing, and editing from the Louisiana Press Association and the Associated Press.

Erin Entrada Kelly’s debut novel, Blackbird Fly, was a Kirkus Best Book of the Year, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, an ALSC Notable Book, and an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Book. She is also the author of The Land of Forgotten Girls, winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature; You Go First, an Indie Next Pick; Lalani of the Distant Sea, an Indie Next Pick; Those Kids from Fawn Creek, named to numerous best-of-the-year lists; and five popular novels for younger readers, Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey, Surely Surely Marisol Rainey, Only Only Marisol Rainey, Your Turn Marisol Rainey, and Felix Powell, Boy Dog, which she also illustrated.