Aunt Jane's Nieces in the Red Cross

3 stars, Metaphorosis reviews

Summary
War has broken out in Europe, and Maud Stanton, with nurse's training, has determined to do something to help. Soon, Beth and Patsy are on board as well, with the substantial help of Uncle John and their wealthy friend Ajo.

Review
Much as Baum tied his real-world film experience into a book in the previous, ... Out West book, he turns to World War I for the final episode in the Aunt Jane's Nieces series. Well-intentioned, and written before the US entered the war, the result is awkward and the conceit of rich, idealistic, and charming girls taking a hand is hard to swallow. While Baum makes a valiant attempt to humanize both the Germans and the Allies, the light-hearted fun of the series isn't a good fit with the serious complexities of war.

Note that I read the original 1915 version. According to Wikipedia, there was a 1918 revision that substantially changed both the ending and the treatment of the war. In the original, though, the ending is a bit of a disappointment; it ends on a bit of a down note, unlike other books in the series, and doesn't tie off the loose ends of the series – chiefly the futures of the three nieces. (The 1918 version resolves some of these.) The Major is also oddly missing from the one book in which his military background might play a role.

All in all, something of a letdown for the series. It might be better to stop after book 9.