At Last She Stood tells the story of Josefina “Joey” Guerrero, a diminutive and devout  Filipina woman who exemplified bravery her entire life.   She was diagnosed with Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease right before the start of World War II.  Thinking she was going to die, she became a guerrilla fighter in Manila to help the Allies defeat the Japanese Army who had taken over the island.  Her bravery and determination saved many lives, including those at internment camps.  After the war, Joey was forced to go to a leper colony where she faced inhumane conditions.  Never one to give up, Joey advocated for better conditions and worked to make the lives of the people at the colony better.  Eventually Joey was able to get special permission to travel to Carville, a facility in Louisiana that treated Hansen’s disease, where she spent almost ten years.

This nonfiction book is part biography of a faithful, inspirational woman and part history book.  There is a lot of background information presented that puts Joey’s life in context, so readers will learn about big concepts like World War II and leprosy as well as other relevant topics like propaganda and colonialism.  Original maps and photographs are included throughout the book, making Joey’s story more real for readers.  This book would be a great addition to any library serving 5th-8th graders.  It not only tells the story of an amazing woman people should know about, but also presents readers with historical information they might not learn about in the classroom.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library