Pure Grit

Pure Grit tells the story of American military nurses who served in the Philippines during World War II. The book follows their experiences from the bombing of Pearl Harbor through their service in combat zones and makeshift hospitals. The narrative traces these nurses' path from routine peacetime duties to their capture and internment by Japanese forces. Their time as prisoners of war tested their skills, resolve and ability to care for patients under extreme circumstances. The nurses maintained their commitment to helping others despite imprisonment, malnutrition, and harsh conditions in the POW camps. After their release, they returned home to an America that knew little about their sacrifices and service. This nonfiction account highlights themes of resilience, duty, and the often-overlooked role of women in wartime. The nurses' experiences raise questions about courage, survival, and what it means to uphold professional ethics in impossible situations.

Readers value the book's focus on overlooked women's contributions during WWII, particularly highlighting the nurses' experiences in Japanese prison camps. Multiple reviews note the detailed research and inclusion of primary sources like photographs and firsthand accounts. Readers liked: - Personal stories that made history feel immediate and real - Documentation of both heroism and daily hardships - Age-appropriate handling of difficult subject matter for young readers - Extensive bibliography and source notes Readers disliked: - Complex military details that some found hard to follow - Jumps between different nurses' stories creating confusion - Want for more details about specific individuals Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (276 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (46 ratings) Notable review quote: "The author doesn't sugar-coat their experiences but presents the facts in a way that middle grade readers can handle." - School Library Journal reviewer

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✯ Many of the Army and Navy nurses who became POWs in WWII were held at Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila, where they continued to care for the sick and injured despite being prisoners themselves. ✯ Author Mary Cronk Farrell spent three years researching this book, conducting interviews with surviving nurses and their families, and gathering information from personal diaries, letters, and military archives. ✯ The nurses survived on increasingly meager rations during their imprisonment, with their daily food allowance eventually dropping to about 700 calories per person - less than a third of what's needed for a healthy adult. ✯ When these nurses returned home after the war, they were largely forgotten by history, and it wasn't until 1983 that they were finally awarded their Bronze Stars for their service. ✯ Despite facing starvation, disease, and brutal conditions, none of the 77 American military nurses taken prisoner in the Philippines died during their three years of captivity.