Young Joan

by Barbara Dana

Before she became the legendary Joan of Arc, the child Joan lived a simple life as a farm girl in the village of Domremy. Joan saw the work of God all around her - in the tall gnarled grandfather tree, in the small gentle sheep on the family farm, in the faces of her dear friends and neighbors. Then one day Joan had a dream. She dreamed that three Saints came to her.

The Saints give Joan a glorious yet terrible mission - to reunite her war-torn country and restore its rightful king to the throne. Dutifully, Joan takes up the seemingly impossible tasks. But how, she wonders, can a simple farm girl accomplish such deeds?

In this remarkable novel we come to know a child called Joan before she became a legend.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Historical, France, Medieval, Childrens

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

BARBARA DANA is an award-winning author of books for children and young adults. Her books include Zucchini, Zucchini Out West, Crazy Eights, Necessary Parties, Rutgers and the Water Snouts, Spencer and his Friends and Young Joan, a historical novel based on the life of Joan of Arc. Her new novel, A Voice of Her Own: Becoming Emily Dickinson, is available March 1, 2009 (HarperCollins Publishers).

She is the co-editor of the recent release, Wider than the Sky: Essays and Meditations on the Healing Power of Emily Dickinson. She co-wrote the television adaptation of her novel, Necessary Parties, for PBS.

Other screenplays include Chu-Chu and the Philly Flash, and T.G.I.F. Her first play, War in Paramus, premiered in New York in the fall of 2005 at Abingdon Theatre Company directed by Austin Pendleton.

She is an actor as well as an author, having appeared on stage, screen and television since the age of sixteen."

Reviews

[I.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book explores the life of a young Joan of Arc, describing Joan's life in a small town. Joan cares for her animals, plays with her friends, does her chores, and other things a girl her age might do, but she also hears from her saints. These saints instruct her in her destiny. Although they can be repetitive, they guide Joan along her path.

The author fleshes out the character of Joan, and we come to understand the girl's passions and devotion to God, but the book is very slow moving. Little actually happens. I eventually finished it, and appreciated Dana's creativity in imagining Joan's young life, but at the same time took frequent breaks to read other, more exciting books.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very strong telling of the childhood of St. Joan of Arc. A sweet side story is the absolutely delightful way that her cat was portrayed.

[Jaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent telling of the young life of Joan of Arc. Her childhood and bond with her family were fully described. The author also described fully the appearance of the angels that guided Joan on her journey to save France. The story was very thorough, but dragged on a bit. The fastest movement in the story was during the epilogue.

[Makenna stull · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a decent telling of the young life of Joan of Arc. It took me a while to get a rhythm when starting the beginning but after a couple chapters it was like I just wanted to know what was going to happen. Her childhood and bond with her family were fully described. The author also described the appearance of the angels that guided Joan very well. The angels were with Joan every step on her journey to save France. The story was very thorough, but dragged on a bit, this is what had me getting bored in the beginning. The fastest movement in the story was during the end and the epilogue.

[Ruth Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan of Arc has always fascinated me. It was an odd coincidence that I saw the DVD of the silent movie The Passion of St. Joan -- the best Joan film ever -- just a few days before finding Young Joan in the YA section of the library.

Joan's brief time as head of the Dauphin's army and liberator of France is covered in a few brief paragraphs at the end. It's told in first person and Joan doesn't dwell on the betrayal by those she helped. There's no bitterness or dwelling on the negative in Joan's voice. The book covers roughly four years in the life of the teenage peasant girl who was visited by saints and directed by God to do the impossible, even though it would lead her into unimaginable situations and the agony of being burned to death. The author did a magnificent job of telling the story from Joan's point of view, in simple language that conveys the confusion she feels in her mind, the fear and heartbreak at knowing she must leave her home and her family and friends, and the complete trust with which she faces her destiny.

A well-written young adult book like this is as good a read as any novel aimed at adults.

I recommend it to anyone who likes historical novels.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is clear that the author has a passion for her subject (i.e. Joan of Arc) and she brings out all the little details in the scenery of Joan's life, especially before she went off into battle. The dialogue and writing is very simplistic and could be better (less unnecessary dialogue for example, which considerably slowed down the story), but in a way that's fitting as the real Joan couldn't read or write, and, being a peasant girl, probably wasn't taken over to speaking in grand poetry. It is very slow moving at the start and, regrettably, therefore very easy to put down and forget. While it is many pages long, it can be read very quickly in a few hours.

[Susan Forsgren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Joan, a girl growing up in the French countryside during the Hundred Years' War, begins to hear voices telling her she is destined to reunite her torn country in opposition to the English invaders.
It was a little preachy for me.

[Alyssa Skinner · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I was a kid, I practically worshipped Joan of Arc, thinking of her as an amazing female hero. And in some ways, I guess that she was. But the more that I learn about her, the more I feel that she was actually mentally unstable, and needed someone to talk sense into her.
This book actually reinforced that idea for me, because, in trying to romanticize and promote the idea that Joan was so close to God that she was virtually an angel, the author made her inhuman, and unable to relate to other people. . . which sounds very much like mental illness to me. Also, the narrative sounded like it was coming from a person who's kind of an airhead. . . not a great image for someone who became France's hero.

[Antonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was torn between rating this as a three or four. It started off slow and I feel like more was needed at the end. However, all in all, it was a good book and I enjoyed reading it.

[Kelsey Shugart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed, beautiful story of the beginnings of Joan's heroic life!

[Danielle]

I could have sworn I'd added this before, but whatever.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

give pain and fear to God, can only use heart to understand not mind, angels often come among us, short legs, belong only to God, soldiers turned to mad men, Meuse River, leaders of England and France died with Queen Isabella ruined succession, what is the truth, 13 dream pray for Dauphin, be good go to church, according to Your Will, evil must be stopped by whatever means, St Catherine protector of unmarried, Catherine Margaret Michael, smiles of love, send a loving message from heart, doubt closes the door, I was always here, believe what say and do, Michael provides comfort calm courage, rye flour, see God clearly in quiet places, daughter of God, no one can do its all you, the power of truth, do each task fully, maiden from Oak Forrest of Loraine, your job if you choose to select, fire into fire does not burn, if you choose to endure pain suffering, God speaks to all not everyone listens, speak boldly, must you always speak of God, look into face of fear and it will vanish, twist points change meanings court, the Lord’s book the age of understanding no memory of what words who was there by all Saints cannot change truth, suffering of mortals is far worse than entering fire, help always comes at abyss, little more than year for job, church sword as symbol never threat, all is God He is in all, warned English to withdraw, Saints forewarn capture wear boys clothes, sold to English, pure goodness sweet light, pain only in fear before, give pain to God, truth is God, 19, fix eyes on cross reflect vision, thru fire to peace, pray for enemies.

[Rebecca M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this when I was either a preteen or young teenager. I'd gotten into a Joan of Arc craze (I actually was planning on writing my own book about her but could never get far with it due to constantly finding more information and feeling the need to include it), so of course when I found this in my local library I just had to pick it up. I enjoyed it for what it was: a fictionalized account of the young Joan of Arc, before she went to war. It focused on her childhood friendships and her bonds with her parents and siblings, which came across as genuine--that is, how Joan's relationships with her family and friends likely were in reality. I remember her having a crush on a boy in her village but having to forgo pursuing it when she came to realize the extraordinary task she would have to face. I appreciated that as it demonstrated an internal struggle between what she wanted to do and what she needed to do. It "humanized" her.

The book went back and forth between her as a 19-year-old in prison and her as an adolescent leading a simple life, which I liked as I'm generally a fan of books that go back and forth between past and present. Her "visions" were described well, and the story progressed at a decent pace, although I remember parts of it dragging. Also, I distinctly recall the end being too abrupt.

Overall, however, I was pleased with it.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well.....it was cool to think about Joan of Arc as a kid, and perhaps what her life was like and how her mission began. And there were some touching moments as she said goodbye to her family, friends, her farm home and animals, and the life she loved so well.
But, the writer's attempt at phrasing things in an old French way, and the repetitiousness of the angelic visits and their words, well, I just kept falling asleep.
It's meant to be more of a book for youth I suppose, but I think they might be even more inclined to get bored of it than I was.
I finished, and the ending was bitter sweet and probably one of the best parts of the book. Just wasn't my favorite writing.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Young Joan describes the life of Joan before and after she started to hear the voices of heavinly creatures. Dana also describes the trials of faith that Joan endured. From the expectations from her community and her family, Joan was overwhelmed by the pressure. This novel shows how she struggled to come to terms with what she wanted, and what was being asked of her. Dana offers a different persepective on Joan of Arc's childhood. The novel is an easy read and gives a new appreaciation to the girl who became known around the world as Joan of Arc.

[William Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fictional 1st person account of Jeanne Darc as a teen in the years before she actually went to war for France. The author imagines Joan's life and thoughts and experiences with angels, saints and her experiences with receiving a calling from God.

The narrative establishes Joan as compassionate and loving and being devoted to God. It also describes the culture of her time and the routine farm life and tension from the warring raids.

Sometimes the story is repetitive and tedious.

This book was in the teen section, although the writing is more for a 9-11 year old.

[Alanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first when I saw this book, I thought it was going to be a boring, super religious novel, but I was terribly wrong. It is about Saint Joan of Arc's life when she was younger. When she first starts getting her visions, and her social, and family life. I thought it was fantastic and very factual. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a book that is entertaining and informative at the same time.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as a young, impressionable teenager (14ish?) wondering what to do with my life. It's great to have books with strong characters to look up to, and to have books in which the strong characters have moments of reflection. This book is before Joan goes off to fight the good fight and her thoughts and doubts and finally her spiritual awakening.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the grammar and writing style distracting, but the story charming. I would probably only give it two stars except that now I'm so interested in Joan of Arc. I know so little about her! I'm definitely going to read more about her life.

[KK · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about the life of. St. Joan of Arc as a young farm girl.
This story was inspiring as it shows a devout young girl and the visits she received from the Saints. However I found the story to be quite slow moving with nothing much really happening.

[Tracey Dunning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read about what the young joan of arc may have experienced.

[Sharla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, it's a slow-paced novel and I had to be patient. In the end, I was glad that I read it. I found it interesting, made me think more about my own personal relationship with deity.

[Beatrice Gormley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an outstanding piece of historical fiction, both for bringing Joan of Arc's world alive for the reader, and for imagining convincingly what kind of person this extraordinary girl was.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe better to listen to than to read due to writing style.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet; inspiring. I think the author did a great job portraying what joan of arc 'so life might have been like as a young peasant girl.

[Korrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the childhood of Joan of Ark. Excellent story of how she came to be!

[Joelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it makes feel like you are Joan.

[eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Joan was a really interesting book. It gave a new perspective on how she might have felt as a young girl. I would definitely recommend it to anybody who wanted to see more of a personal look of Joan.