Cherry Ames*

Well, I’m home.

I spent a wonderful three days with  my family. I took my mom out for her birthday, and afterward she and I went to Goodwill for their 50% off day. We both found a couple of cute sweaters, I found some props I needed for a little musical production I’m in, and she found me four new Nancy Drew books!

My little collection is slowly growing, and I’m so excited to be able to display them in our new house!

And then, today I got a surprise text message from a friend of mine. She was out shopping with her mother and happened upon a huge selection of old books in an antique shop. She found scores of old Nancy Drews–in their original blue covers–and then she found an even more rare treat: a Cherry Ames book.

My mom had several old books kicking around when I was a little girl, and in between my Nancy Drews and discovered the world of Cherry Ames. According to Wikipedia:

Cherry Ames is the central character in a series of 27 mystery novels with hospital settings published by Grosset & Dunlap between 1943 and 1968. During World War II, the series encouraged girls to become nurses as a way to aid the war effort. Cherry Ames original editions are prized by collectors and fans.

We didn’t have many of the books, but I completely fell in love with the series. There’s always a little romance, and for the longest time I wanted to be a nurse like Cherry.

But here’s the problem: the books are impossible to find.

Once in a blue moon I’ll see one at a yard sale, or in an antique shop, but it’s a rare find. I’m dying to get the whole set, and there are books that I haven’t even read yet. They are old, cheesy and magical.

And I want them all.

Did you have a favorite series as a kid?