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(2)
YA
In this impressionistic verse novel, "voices" refers to Joan of Arc's messages from the saints; people testifying for and against her; Joan herself; and objects made sentient (dress, sword, fire, etc.). Elliott adheres to medieval poetic forms while highlighting contemporary themes such as gender identity, cross-dressing, and sexuality. Strong rhythm, rhyme scheme, and repetition make for a reading experience that resonates with the rigid social structures of Joan's time and her own compulsions.
Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
March, 2019
495 pp.
| HarperCollins/B+B
| June, 2019
|
TradeISBN 978-0-06-249011-7$17.99
(1)
YA
In this engrossing first-person, present-tense verse novel, Hemphill reimagines the fifteenth-century life of French martyr Joan of Arc from thirteen when "Jehanne" is first called by God, to leading troops on the battlefields, to being burned at the stake at nineteen. The spare, propulsive free verse reinforces Jehanne's passion for her unconventional life; the intimate narrative style makes her a sympathetic, relatable figure. An author's note separates fact from fiction. Additional historical context is included. Bib.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2019
(4)
K-3
Zoom In on Great Women series.
The lives of six diverse, inspirational women--three of whom (Goodall, Yousafzai, and Winfrey) are still living--are summarized in this series, which aligns to Common Core Standards. Though only broadly chronicling their challenges and/or accomplishments, these offerings may spur interest in further study. The archival photographs included are noteworthy, and lists of quick stats and key dates are appended. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Zoom In on Great Women titles: Anne Frank, Jane Goodall, Malala Yousafzai, Mother Teresa, Oprah Winfrey, and Rosa Parks.
32 pp.
| Cavendish
| April, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-6135-7$17.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Tonya Engel.
One of Mexico's most beloved stories is treated both reverently and poetically in this retelling. Bernier-Grand's rich language captures the humility of the poor Aztec Juan Diego who witnessed apparitions of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, in sixteenth-century Mexico. Engel's soft illustrations have a luminous feel perfectly suited to this religious miracle story.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Steve Johnson
&
Lou Fancher.
Grandma Lupita tells Rose and a friend the story of Juan Diego, summoned in 1531 by the Lady of Guadalupe to build a church. Juan Diego struggles to attract support from his town, but he eventually succeeds by way of a miracle. The illustrations capture the tenderness of the story and accurately depict the time period, but the decorative borders are distracting.
40 pp.
| SteinerBooks
| May, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-88010-719-8$17.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Amy Córdova.
Córdova and Gollogly retell the story of Juan Diego--born Talking Eagle or Cuauhtlatoatzin--and his miraculous encounters with "Mary, the Mother of God." The bishop doesn't believe Juan until he produces his cloak, with roses spilling out and the imprint of Mary upon it. The text, though wordy (at times ponderously so), effectively communicates events. Vibrant-hued illustrations depict the scenes.
56 pp.
| Cavendish
| September, 2011
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7614-5953-8$19.99
(4)
4-6
Demi brings her signature gilded iconography to the story of Joan of Arc, from her childhood in Domrémy to her execution in Rouen at the age of nineteen. Accepting Joan's version of herself and with many (unsourced) quotes from the saint, the book is a good introduction. The pictures are reverent but small and static, only occasionally surprising the eye.
223 pp.
| Zondervan
| September, 2010
|
TradeISBN 978-0-310-72078-2$15.99
(2)
YA
Fifteen-year-old Mary Rudine, nicknamed Mister, "used to be / a good Christian girl..." In a series of one- to two-page prose poems, Mister describes her fall from grace. Mister's voice is poignant and utterly genuine, but what really elevates the novel above other good-girl-gets-pregnant fare is the character of Mary, mother of Jesus, whose all-too-familiar experiences as a pregnant teenager comfort Mister.
Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2010
(3)
YA
Gormley imagines the biblical characters of Mariamne from Magdala and Matthew the tax collector as young people struggling through a difficult adolescence to become followers of Rabbi Yeshua. Gormley's interpretation of Mari's demonic possession strikes a thoughtful balance between literal and symbolic explanations, just as she advocates subtly for a feminist understanding of women's roles and authority within Christianity.
(3)
4-6
Sterling Biographies series.
Rich with facts, these biographies go beyond basic information and personal mythologies to reveal the lasting achievements and human foibles of six incredible women. Each thoughtfully designed volume draws readers in, vividly bringing to life the various places and times, from Joan of Arc's fifteenth-century France to Amelia Earhart's twentieth-century America, through informational sidebars, photographs, and document reproductions. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Sterling Biographies titles: Helen Keller, Cleopatra, Marie Curie, Amelia Earhart, Anne Frank, and Joan of Arc.
160 pp.
| Enslow
| June, 2007
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-7660-2716-9$34.60
(4)
YA
Rulers of the Middle Ages series.
These volumes introduce four personalities of the Middle Ages, each of whom had a profound impact on his or her own time and on history. Decorative borders and some papers, maps, and reproductions reinforce the particular nature of the historical period. Plenty of subheads break the narrative into manageable chunks. The writing, though clear, is unexciting. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Rulers of the Middle Ages titles: William the Conqueror, Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc, and Saladin.
64 pp.
| National
| September, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-1-4263-0116-2$17.95
|
LibraryISBN 978-1-4263-0117-9$27.90
(3)
4-6
National Geographic World History Biographies series.
Beginning with childhood, these handsomely designed books trace the lives of each historical figure, highlighting small details (e.g., as a child Joan was "well behaved"), major achievements, struggles, and their impact today. Most pages feature a running timeline, artwork reproductions or other illustrations, and factual text boxes, which further help set these extraordinary lives in historical context. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these National Geographic World History Biographies titles: Isaac Newton and Joan of Arc.
40 pp.
| Eerdmans
| February, 2004
|
TradeISBN 0-8028-5269-6$$20.00
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Bimba Landmann.
With gold-accented paintings that combine a medieval sense of perspective with modern contrasts of color, this illustrated book is sumptuous in its own particular way. As retold here, the story of Francis and Clare is sometimes oblique and disjointed; that fact and the sophisticated art probably demand an audience already familiar with the lives of these saints. Two translations of the "Canticle of Brother Sun" are appended. Timeline
48 pp.
| Random
| May, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-375-90620-7$$11.99
|
PaperISBN 0-375-80620-2$$3.99
(3)
K-3
Step into Reading series.
Illustrated by
Dan Andreasen
&
Dan Andreasen.
This lively biography tells the story of the French farm girl who listened to voices she said were sent to her by God, led her country into victorious battle against the English in the fifteenth century, was burned at the stake as a witch, and eventually sainted. Brief paragraphs and short sentences help make the history accessible. Sepia-toned illustrations rendered in simple lines adequately convey the story's events.
128 pp.
| Enslow
| April, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-7660-1938-1$$20.95
(3)
YA
In World History series.
In balanced, readable prose, the books in this series recount their subjects' actions and motivations, setting them within appropriate cultural contexts: Queen Victoria's role in establishing the British Empire; Joan's martyrdom; Cromwell's assumption of power to rule England; and the ruthlessness of the Inquisition. Black-and-white illustrations and sidebars of primary material extend the documented text. Bib., ind. [Review covers these In World History titles: The British Empire and Queen Victoria in World History, Joan of Arc and the Hundred Years' War in World History, Oliver Cromwell and the English Civil War in World History, and The Spanish Inquisition in World History.]
32 pp.
| Eerdmans
| September, 2002
|
TradeISBN 0-8028-5224-6$$16.00
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Helen Cann.
In this quiet retelling, young Brigid of Ireland is mysteriously transported to Bethlehem and uses her cloak to warm Mary. When Brigid finds herself back home, the cloak is emblazoned with glowing stars. Handsome mixed-media illustrations feature borders with Irish and Middle Eastern motifs. Although source notes are lacking, a historical note explains more about St. Brigid.
40 pp.
| Putnam
| September, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-399-23424-1$$16.99
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Tomie dePaola.
Norris tells a sophisticated and complex story of Benedict and Scholastica, twins who grew up to have an important influence on the Roman Catholic church. The book lacks notes that would help sort out legend from historical fact, and readers need some background to follow the story. DePaola's illustrations are handsome, giving the story both the needed medieval setting and a formal fresco feel.
94 pp.
| Chelsea
| December, 2001
|
LibraryISBN 0-7910-6314-3$$21.95
(4)
4-6
Women of Achievement series.
Quoting profusely from their subjects, as well as their peers and historians, the books in this series offer laudatory biographies of these influential women. Joan uses extensive excerpts from trial transcripts and documents, although there are no source notes. Mostly dull black-and-white photos and reproductions do little to break up or extend the text. All the books include a timeline. Bib., ind. [Review covers these titles: Katharine Graham, Diane Sawyer, Joan of Arc, Amy Tan, Martha Stewart.]
(4)
K-3
Dorling Kindersley Readers series.
Written in simple language, this basic outline of Joan of Arc's life manages to convey a balanced view of the enigmatic saint. Factual asides in the margins expand on points in the text but tend to interrupt the narrative flow and are sometimes of limited relevance. Black-and-white and color illustrations from current and archival sources illustrate the book. Glos., ind.
112 pp.
| Lerner
| June, 2000
|
LibraryISBN 0-8225-4981-6$$25.26
(4)
YA
A & E Biography series.
Spanning two millennia, this unlikely trio of female notables is featured in volumes that adequately cover their lives in uninspired prose. The texts occasionally detour to include brief information boxes containing background material. The books are illustrated with serviceable photos--in both black and white and color--and reproductions. Cleopatra includes a time line; Estefan has a discography. Bib., ind.