From Publishers Weekly
Though France is torn by the Hundred Years' War, Joan leads an idyllic life with her parents and brothers in peaceful Domremy--delighting in her friends, taking care of her animals and going to church. As she grows, her faith and knowledge of God's ways increase, until one day she receives a wondrous visit: Saint Michael makes himself known to her and gives her a glorious yet terrible mission. She must crown the French Dauphin and mobilize her country to drive out the English--even though, as Saint Margaret and St. Catherine later tell her, "You will be captured." Dana's fictional treatment of the life of Joan before she became legendary gently balances the girl's exceptional devoutness with her human, childlike qualities. This peaceful and comforting telling of an extraordinary story succeeds in giving clear, knowing insight into the seldom treated subject of intense religiosity. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--Ce texte provient d'une édition qui n'est plus publiée ou qui est non diponible.
From School Library Journal
Grade 7-12-- A historical novel about the early life of Joan of Arc, from ages 13-17. The effort is commendable, considering the meager information available and the difficulty of conveying spiritual experiences. Unfortunately, the book suffers from major problems. It is far too long, interspersing Joan's visions with routine activities and in the process becoming slow, repetitious, and downright boring. Also, it lacks a serious conflict; readers know the outcome, and will impatiently skip the philosophizing. Another drawback is the use of unusual sentence constructions (e.g., "I see you not"). These are annoying after a few chapters, and make the writing sound forced. In addition, the work sorely needs a map, bibliography, and author's note detailing what is invented (and why) and what is factual. The jacket painting shows a child of ten--younger than the teenagers about and for whom the book is written. And, in contrast with reputable histories, this Joan is overly sentimental, lacking in confidence and common sense. Stick to Brooks's excellent YA biography, Beyond the Myth: The Story of Joan of Arc (Lippincott, 1990). --Ann W. Moore, formerly at Lane Road Library, Columbus, OH
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--Ce texte provient d'une édition qui n'est plus publiée ou qui est non diponible.
