Original name: Helen Weinstock. Social worker turned full-time young adult writer, born in Illinois but moved with family to New York City when she was seven. In 1934 Wells graduated from New York University [where she'd been the first female editor of the literary quarterly], with a major in philosophy and a minor in sociology and psychology.
During World War II, she served as a volunteer with the State Department's Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, escorting Latin American visitors in the United States.
Author of Cherry Ames, Nurse books, a series for young teens.
She was also the author of the Vicki Barr books, about a young mystery-solving flight attendant. And, as Francine Lewis, she penned the short-lived Polly French series (1950s), aimed at a younger readership.
After writing the first eight books of the Cherry Ames series and the first three Vicki Barr books, Wells decided to abandon both series to write for television and radio, and Julie Tatham took over (however, both the ninth Cherry Ames book and the fourth Vicki Barr book were published under Wells's name). Tatham later returned the Vicki Barr books to Wells in 1953 and the Cherry Ames books in 1955.
During World War II, she served as a volunteer with the State Department's Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, escorting Latin American visitors in the United States.
Author of Cherry Ames, Nurse books, a series for young teens.
She was also the author of the Vicki Barr books, about a young mystery-solving flight attendant. And, as Francine Lewis, she penned the short-lived Polly French series (1950s), aimed at a younger readership.
After writing the first eight books of the Cherry Ames series and the first three Vicki Barr books, Wells decided to abandon both series to write for television and radio, and Julie Tatham took over (however, both the ninth Cherry Ames book and the fourth Vicki Barr book were published under Wells's name). Tatham later returned the Vicki Barr books to Wells in 1953 and the Cherry Ames books in 1955.
Genres: Young Adult Fiction
Novels
Escape By Night (1953)
The Girl in the White Coat (1953)
Adam Gimbel, Pioneer Trader (1955)
A Flair for People (1955)
A City for Jean (1956)
Introducing Patti Lewis, Home Economist (1956)
Barnum, Showman of America (1957)
Doctor Betty (1969)
The Girl in the White Coat (1953)
Adam Gimbel, Pioneer Trader (1955)
A Flair for People (1955)
A City for Jean (1956)
Introducing Patti Lewis, Home Economist (1956)
Barnum, Showman of America (1957)
Doctor Betty (1969)
Series contributed to
Cherry Ames
1. Cherry Ames, Student Nurse (1943)
2. Cherry Ames, Senior Nurse (1944)
3. Cherry Ames, Army Nurse (1944)
4. Cherry Ames, Chief Nurse (1944)
5. Cherry Ames, Flight Nurse (1945)
6. Cherry Ames, Veterans' Nurse (1946)
7. Cherry Ames, Private Duty Nurse (1946)
8. Cherry Ames, Visiting Nurse (1947)
9. Cherry Ames, Cruise Nurse (1948)
17. Cherry Ames, Boarding School Nurse (1955)
18. Cherry Ames, Department Store Nurse (1956)
19. Cherry Ames, Camp Nurse (1957)
aka The Clue of the Faceless Criminal
20. Cherry Ames At Hilton Hospital (1959)
aka The Case of the Forgetful Patient
21. Cherry Ames, Island Nurse (1960)
aka The Mystery of Rogue's Cave
22. Cherry Ames, Rural Nurse (1961)
aka The Case of the Dangerous Remedy
23. Cherry Ames, Staff Nurse (1962)
24. Cherry Ames, Companion Nurse (1964)
25. Cherry Ames, Jungle Nurse (1965)
26. The Mystery in the Doctor's Office (1966)
27. Ski Nurse Mystery (1968)
Cherry Ames' Book of First Aid and Home Nursing (1960)
1. Cherry Ames, Student Nurse (1943)
2. Cherry Ames, Senior Nurse (1944)
3. Cherry Ames, Army Nurse (1944)
4. Cherry Ames, Chief Nurse (1944)
5. Cherry Ames, Flight Nurse (1945)
6. Cherry Ames, Veterans' Nurse (1946)
7. Cherry Ames, Private Duty Nurse (1946)
8. Cherry Ames, Visiting Nurse (1947)
9. Cherry Ames, Cruise Nurse (1948)
17. Cherry Ames, Boarding School Nurse (1955)
18. Cherry Ames, Department Store Nurse (1956)
19. Cherry Ames, Camp Nurse (1957)
aka The Clue of the Faceless Criminal
20. Cherry Ames At Hilton Hospital (1959)
aka The Case of the Forgetful Patient
21. Cherry Ames, Island Nurse (1960)
aka The Mystery of Rogue's Cave
22. Cherry Ames, Rural Nurse (1961)
aka The Case of the Dangerous Remedy
23. Cherry Ames, Staff Nurse (1962)
24. Cherry Ames, Companion Nurse (1964)
25. Cherry Ames, Jungle Nurse (1965)
26. The Mystery in the Doctor's Office (1966)
27. Ski Nurse Mystery (1968)
Cherry Ames' Book of First Aid and Home Nursing (1960)
Vicki Barr, Flight Stewardess
1. Silver Wings for Vicki (1947)
2. Vicki Finds the Answer (1947)
3. The Hidden Valley Mystery (1948)
4. The Secret of Magnolia Manor (1949)
8. Peril Over the Airport (1953)
9. The Mystery of the Vanishing Lady (1954)
10. The Search for the Missing Twin (1954)
11. The Ghost At the Waterfall (1956)
12. The Clue of the Gold Coin (1958)
13. The Silver Ring Mystery (1960)
14. The Clue of the Carved Ruby (1961)
15. The Mystery of Flight 908 (1962)
16. The Brass Idol Mystery (1964)
1. Silver Wings for Vicki (1947)
2. Vicki Finds the Answer (1947)
3. The Hidden Valley Mystery (1948)
4. The Secret of Magnolia Manor (1949)
8. Peril Over the Airport (1953)
9. The Mystery of the Vanishing Lady (1954)
10. The Search for the Missing Twin (1954)
11. The Ghost At the Waterfall (1956)
12. The Clue of the Gold Coin (1958)
13. The Silver Ring Mystery (1960)
14. The Clue of the Carved Ruby (1961)
15. The Mystery of Flight 908 (1962)
16. The Brass Idol Mystery (1964)
Books containing stories by Helen Wells
Dark Dreams (2004)
A Collection of Horror and Suspense by Black Writers
(Dark Dreams, book 1)
edited by
Brandon Massey
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