I read and reread the reprints of the original Little, Brown editions at my local library (and of her other series, the Carol Page books, but they were less memorable) but when it came time to own copies of my own they were very scarce. I found Sue Barton, Senior Nurse at a NYPL sale but the other books pictured came from Australia. Sue Barton, Neighborhood Nurse looks much too religious - part of Sue's appeal was that she was outgoing, accident prone, and fiercely loyal (not just to her friends but to the programs where she received her nursing education). I never had any intention of going to nursing school but loved reading about her experiences, and was very disappointed the first time I met a real nurse that she did not wear a cap like Sue. Image Cascade has brought the books back into print with charming covers but I think my mismatched set will have to do.
In contrast to Sue, eventually willing to retire from nursing, was the ever-perky Cherry Ames, more of a career woman but with robot-like efficiency after the first book (Cherry Ames, Student Nurse - the most appealing of the series). In my current cataloging and reorganization of my books, I was surprised to find I own three Cherry Ames as I had never gone out of my way to collect them. Readers usually have a strong preference for Sue or for Cherry and there were other nursing series but few with their enduring popularity. As there is not currently room on my bookshelves for all my books, Sue and Cherry are sharing a box in the attic. I am sure they will have plenty to discuss.
So why choose? Why not enjoy them both?
2 comments:
I was a big CA fan but somehow missed SB. Image Cascade is so wonderful.
Cherry Ames sounds really familiar. Those books look like a blast from the past.
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