Francis and Clare, Saints of Assisi

Vision Books for Young Readers

by Helen Walker Homan

A Vision Book about St. Francis and St. Clare, the two very popular saints of Assisi. Helen Homan has captured all the excitement and beauty of the lives of these saints from their childhood growing up together in Assisi to their profound conversion and lifelong influence�indeed centuries-long influence�on the whole world through their radical living of the Gospel and founding of two great religious orders, the Franciscans and the Poor Clares. Combining the stories of Francis and Clare in one volume makes for a book that will be of great interest to both boys and girls of a wide age span. Illustrated. Cover art by Chris Pelicano This book is now part of Renaissance Learning's Accelerated Reader program . Quizzes are currently available.

Genres: Catholic, Biography, Childrens, Christianity, Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality

187 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the beautiful tale of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare of Assisi's lives. The author notes that some of the dialogue and minor characters in their childhood had to be made up because not much record of it is found. Otherwise, it's all truth. It was thoroughly enjoyable, quick to read, and easy to understand. If you would like to learn more about the patron saints of animals and goldsmiths, this is the perfect book to start with. It is truly helpful in understanding the life of a saint and what it truly means to give up everything you have to follow Him. Highly recommend.

[Meredith Henning · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love the Helen Walker Homan authored Vision books, so good!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our last title in the 8th grade book club at church. I know these stories are abbreviated and made suitable for a certain age group but I enjoy reading the narrative. And to read of someone following God so devotedly is inspiring.

I have been reading this at the same time as a book on medieval times which makes me imagine Francis’ setting more completely. Also, finishing at the end of the Lenten season was apt.

[Diana M. Caruthers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read. I learned so much about Saint Francis and enjoyed every minute of the read. There was so much more to him than animals that I thought. It is definitely a story to remember how wonderful God is to take someone that didn’t make the best of choices and turn him into a saint. There were small tidbits about Saint Clare and I really craved more of her story but the two saints are definitely intertwined.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an easy read that interestingly compresses information while delivering it in an enticing manner. The tale definitely targets children as an audience by telling Francis’ and Clare’s lives like an adventure story. However, to keep the story more child friendly, the book lacks details and facts.

[Gabriella]

The first half of the book felt like it was a novel, while the second half (once Francis becomes an adult) seems like a telling of facts
Additionally, I expected more about Clare's story. She was present in the book because she was present in Francis' life, but it wasn't a book about her. It was a book about Francis

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, exciting biography of St. Francis (and some of St. Clare). Written for youth (middle-school and up). Captures the times and the personality of Francis.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good. They were very holy.

[Jessica Grove · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is mostly about St Francis (only a small part about St Clare). Saint stories are SO inspiring!

[jilleuh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple, but encouraging book about Saint Francis. I read it for history in about a week, so it was rather below my reading level, but I enjoyed it anyways. I really like how joyful St. Francis is throughout the book. I think that I assumed that he would become "serious" when he became a better christian, but really he became more joyful!

If you are looking for a book about St. Clare, this is NOT for you. Although the book contains the basic story of St. Clare, that is basically it. I'm not exactly sure why the book is called Francis and Clare since she doesn't even show up until the last part of the book.

This book was a nice quick-read that helped me broaden my saint knowledge.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it aloud to my 6 year-old. It was easy for him to follow, and yet I learned a lot along the way. It is primarily a story of Francis; and it is a simple read, but I find that very fitting for this simple saint!

[Melanie]

This was definitely advanced for Bella but we read it all the way to the end nonetheless. She is nothing if not persistent. I wish that there had been more about Clare.

[Claire(✿◠‿◠) · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the cover said "Francis And Claire" I thought Claire would be in it more then just 4 chapters. But none the less it was a very good book that I thoroughly enjoyed

[anacsheran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story