A Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Ines

by Pat Mora, Beatriz Vidal (Illustrator)

I am quiet like a turtle."

So promised Juana Inés, a little girl who loved words, on her first day of school. When she was three years old, Juana Inés followed her sister to school and peeked in the window, then begged the teacher to be allowed to stay so she could learn how to read. Soon she was making up stories, songs, and poems--she loved learning and she loved reading. And she couldn't wait to have her own collection of books! Eventually, Juana went on to become Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a nun, and she devoted her life to writing and learning and words. Though she died in 1695, Sor Juana Inés is still considered one of the most brilliant writers in Mexico's her poetry is recited by schoolchildren throughout Mexico and is studied at schools and universities around the world. Here is the story of her life, an incredible one full of knowledge, achievement, and inspiration, lovingly told by the renowned children's book author Pat Mora and gorgeously illustrated by Beatriz Vidal.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Childrens, History, Poetry, Nonfiction, Latinx

40 pages, Library Binding

First published November 12, 2002

About the author

Pat Mora (born 1942) is a female Mexican-American author and poet. Pat Mora was born in El Paso, Texas. She is married and has 3 grown children.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So was inspiring learning about Sor Juana Inés and her unstoppable passion for words -- learning, writing, sharing. She learned to read at age three, and longed to attend university one day, but was prohibited due to her gender--this was the late 1600s in colonial Mexico. Undaunted, she found the doors that could be opened to her, and found ways to continue her education and share her writing, first by becoming a lady-in-waiting at the palace (where she had access to the large palace library), then as a nun (where she could enjoy more peace and quiet to write). She created a large library of her own, and became a celebrated poet. I'm so glad this book exists to help children learn about this "poet, defender of women's educational rights, intellectual, playwright, environmentalist, wit." The gorgeous illustrations are full of both historical and cultural details that help bring the story to life for modern readers. Highly recommended.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are stunning and I’m at risk of resorting to hyperbole if I say too much. I wasn’t surprised that in the illustrator bio section on the back inside cover of the book it’s revealed that the illustrations were created with watercolor and gouche, using small brushes for the paint and also making use of a magnifying glass. Amazing.

This is an excellent picture book biography for any child who understands the thirst for knowledge, or who might be inspired by a young person who cares so much about books and reading and learning. Sor Juana Inés de La Cruz didn’t live to see fifty but she’s one of Mexico’s most renowned writers and poets. The only quibble I thought I had was that in the middle of the book is one of her poems, in Spanish, and I wished for an English translation. Then, at the end of the book, a translation is in fact provided. I do have to wonder how her hunger for learning so easily led her away from family and home at such a young age, but Juana is very inspiring: learning to read (at her insistence) at age three and doing everything in her power, including seemingly becoming a nun, in order to have a vast library at her disposal, in an era when only men could attend university.

I do think kids will find this story impressive and interesting and the illustrations are just gorgeous.

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Library for Juana is a children’s biography made-to-order for any book-loving little girl, especially if she is Catholic. Though Sor (Sister) Juana Inés eventually became a nun, died in 1695 and is still considered one of Mexico’s most brilliant poets, the charm is in her personality which author Pat Mora has perfectly captured.

Juana is manifest determination. From her earliest years she has to learn to read and write, and pursues reading, libraries and the university with a singularity only matched by her prodigious writing. Her inquiring mind and passion for knowledge, painting, music and collecting books made her stand out in her era. She died nursing her fellow nuns during an outbreak of plague. (This last bit is in the Author’s Note and need not be read to children.)

A sure winner for this booklady and any other book crazy souls out there! Colorful artwork as well.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the time she was a very small girl, Juana Inés had loved books. Even before she could read, she liked to sit, surrounded by the volumes of her Abuelo's library. Only three years old, when she followed her sister to school, Juana told the teacher that she would be "quiet like the turtle," if allowed to stay and learn. Eventually sent to live with relatives in Mexico City, where she could receive a better education, Juana became a lady-in-waiting at the palace of the viceroy. Here, word of her intelligence spread, leading to an examination by forty renowned scholars, who doubted that a woman could truly be learned. Little did they know that her fame would outlast their own, and that Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz would still be considered, more than three hundred years later, one of Mexico's greatest poets...

I've always been an admirer of Sor Juana, and am so glad that I happened upon A Library for Juana, while perusing the Women's History Month display at my public library this past weekend! I'd had no idea there was a children's picture-book devoted to her life, so it was a most welcome discovery. With an engaging narrative that captures Juana's passion for learning, and playful engagement with words; and gorgeously detailed watercolor and gouache illustrations, this is a wonderful book - ideal for use in introducing young readers to this renowned poet. I was already familiar with Beatriz Vidal's work, through titles such as Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain: A Nandi Tale and A Gift of Gracias: The Legend of Altagracia , but this title just increased my appreciation for her artistry. Truly, this is a gem of a book!

[Q_Jill Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an inspirational book about Juana Ines, a lover of knowledge and poet. Her enthusiasm for learning is inspiring. I wish all students were as eager! Juana was so eager to learn that she followed her sister to school and hid in the bushes to watch the girls read and write. Early on she knew that she wanted to go a University. At that time only boys went to the University. A tutor was hired to teach her at home and she asked many questions. When she was 15, she visited the palace of the viceroy. At this time she was well know for her knowledge and poems. She was invited to be the wife of the viceroy's lady in waiting. She was challenged by the scholars, who asked her difficult questions and was able to answer them all. Not only did she write poetry, she also fought for women's educational rights, wrote plays and was an environmentalist.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Ines is a children's picture book written by Pat Mora and illustrated by Beatriz Vidal. It is a biographical picture book of Juana Inés de la Cruz – a Mexican philosopher.

Mid-September to Mid-October, at least in my part of the world is Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month, which I plan to read one children's book, particularly a biography, which pertains to the subject everyday this month. Therefore, I thought that this book would be apropos for today.

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was a self-taught scholar and student of scientific thought, philosopher, musician, composer, and poet of the Baroque school, and Hieronymite nun of New Spain (Mexico). Her outspoken opinions granted her lifelong names such as, "The Tenth Muse", "The Phoenix of America", or the "Mexican Phoenix".

Mora's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Mora concisely traces the rise of spirited Juana Inés from inquisitive youngster to a 17th-century Mexican scholar. Vidal's meticulously detailed, small-scale watercolor-and-gouache art details the bustling city as well as the finery of the palatial residence, where Juana immerses herself in the library and becomes an accomplished writer of poems, plays and songs.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Insatiably curious Juana, age three, follows her older sister to school and asks to join the class. At ten, she was sent to live with family in Mexico City, and by age fifteen, Juana takes up residence in the viceroy's palace there, as a lady-in-waiting.

All in all, A Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Ines is a wonderful cursory biography about Juana Inés de la Cruz, who became a philosopher, composer, poet, and scientific thinkers of the seventeenth century.

[S10_Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: non-fiction
Format: picture book
Grade level: elementary

This book follows the life of Sister Juana Ines de la Cruz from age (3) to adulthood during the mid to late 1600’s. Juana, who learned to read at age (3), became a famous poet and scholar in Mexico. The book reveals her passion for learning and how she became a nun.

This book is clearly meant to tell the story of Sister Juana Ines; however, it also discusses women’s educational rights. Juana was an advocate of women’s educational rights during her life when this idea was not popular. One of her signature lines was, “Yes, girls can do more than spin and sew. We can study and prove all we know.”

The story itself is very moving, powerful, and well-written; however, the illustrations are a bit boring. They are beautifully drawn, but there is a lot of white space. There is a small amount of Spanish in the book which is either translated in the text or found in a glossary in the back of the book. There is also a brief formal biography about Juana in the back of the book.

The book seems to be for elementary students, but can be enjoyed by all ages. One would probably want to read Sor Juana Ines De La Cruz: Selected Writings (Classics of Western Spirituality) after reading this book.

[Elizabeth]

After I read She Persisted Around the World , I looked for picturebooks about the women I hadn't already read about, and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was one of them. I'd had this book on my to-read list for a while, so this prompted me to finally read it.

The book is primarily in English but includes a sprinkling of words and phrases in Spanish.

The author acknowledges (in the Author's Note) that "we know few facts about this child prodigy," but I assume the major pieces are accurate (like her idea to disguise herself as a boy so she could go to university).

I'm not sure exactly what age this book is aimed at, and at times I felt like the narrative rushed through some of the major events in her life (like her becoming a nun) just to get them included, but I'm glad a picturebook biography of her exists -- and I'm so curious to learn more about the scene where 40 scholars ask her questions!

[Michelle Pegram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born in 1648, Juana Ines Asbaje, or Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, was always full of questions and a desire to learn. At the age of 3 she followed her sister to school so that she could learn to read. When told that only boys could go to the University in Mexico City, she dressed up as a boy to convince her family she could go. She did move to Mexico city and studied with tutors before setting her sights on the Palace that had a library to explore. Her knowledge and reputation grew, she wrote her own books, and she was even tested by scholars who did not believe that a woman could be educated. Her mantra was that girls could study and prove all that they know, and she left a legacy in support of this. The illustrations are engaging, but the story is the strong point of this book. Appropriate for upper elementary grades and up, it could lead to discussions about dreams, obstacles, and never letting others define who you are.

[Zeinab Mohamed]

A

[Vamos a Leer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Library for Juana: The World of Sor Juana Inés written by Pat Mora is a book that tells the story of an important and prolific literary figure, self-taught poet, scholar and nun, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz.
We follow Juana’s life and discover that she was a curious child, always asking questions and wondering what was written in the books of her grandfather. She loved letters and rhyming. She started school at an early age, eager to learn. Once she found out that women could not attend university, she dressed as a boy to practice for when she would go to their library.

Juana never gave up; at the age of just 8 she won a poetry contest and at the age of 10 she went off to Mexico City to study. Juana gains access to palace libraries, filling her head with languages, names, numbers, poetry and music. After facing questions from 40 scholars, she became recognized as a respected scholar herself. The book ends beautifully with a moment in which Juana gets to add her own book of poems to her treasured library.

The book is filled with positive messages that promote intelligence over appearance. “She cared more about her books than about her looks, tapping her head, she said ‘Why decorate the outside of my head if the inside is empty?’” Young Juana can inspire other female readers through phrases such as “Yes, girls can do more than spin and sew. We can study and prove all we know.”

Included is a short glossary of Spanish words scattered throughout the text, an author’s note about Sor Juana, and an excerpt of one of her poems.

To read our full review including links to classroom resources, visit the Vamos a Leer blog at http://tiny.cc/vamosaleer

[Amy Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!!!  I love books about libraries and women!!!  Sor Juana Ines was a lover of books and knowledge, and in order to spend more time educating herself, she later became a nun.  But not after a counsel of tens of men quizzed her on everything they knew (which she knew, too), and not after almost being denied to go to school, and not after being a lady in waiting and having her own library.  This book tells the tale of Sor Juana Ines, who lived in 1600s Mexico, a woman with passions and a hunger for knowledge that couldn't be sated.  

The beautifully detailed illustrations go hand in hand with the complexities of Juana's life, and the intricacies her life required in order to satisfy her.  And satisfied, she was.  Great for girls who love learning, and who want or need role models.  Perfect for grades 1-4.

Review cross-listed here!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of Sor Juana before I read this book, but she was fascinating. Juana Ines lived outside of Mexico City during the 17th century, and learned how to read at the age of three. She later moved to Mexico City and from then on, she devoured books and knowledge and was passionate about a woman's right to education. She eventually moved into the Viceroy's palace and he was so impressed by her that 40 male scholars came to evaluate her and found her very intelligent as well. She moved to a convent and renamed herself Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, and ended up with the largest library in the Americas. Her poetry still exists today and is read by schoolchildren in her native land. I would love to learn more about her and her poetry after reading this picturebook with its beautiful illustrations.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes a look at a most interesting figure from Mexico's history, a seventeenth- century female writer named Juana Ramirez de Asbaje, or as she was later known, Sor (Sister) Juana Ines de la Cruz. Before reading this book, I had no knowledge of this amazing woman. The subject matter was interesting, though the book itself did not “speak” to me. This woman seems to be a very well-known and highly celebrated figure in Mexican history, though here in the States most of us have probably never heard of her. (I had not.) This is why it is important to share such books to children here, so that they are aware of these important people known throughout other countries. The book would do well in a study of women (during Women’s History month, perhaps) who have made contributions in countries all over the world. I think it would work well with 2-5th grade.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I had never heard of Sor Juana Ines before, but I saw this book at the library and I was captivated by the lovely illustrations. I loved how this book taught me, in an engaging way about this woman who I had never heard of before. I was very impressed to learn of her intelligence, her wisdom, and her kindness. This book exposed me to an incredible woman that meant so much to Mexican history that she is on Mexican currancy. And like all good nonfiction books do, this book made me want to find out more about this intelligent woman. I also loved the bright illustrations that were so detailed, they deserved just as much attention as the text itself. I highly recommend this book.

[OnceUponALibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit that I wanted to read this book that I had previously not picked up off of the biography shelves because I started watching the "Juana Ines" TV series on Netflix. This is a great book for elementary aged students about a forward-thinking, educated, creative woman that found a way to follow her heart in a world where that kind of woman didn't really fit in. I'll still need to read more about her, as the TV show has me suspicious that the kids' version is a quite cleaned up version of her life and not including some of her more difficult struggles with sexism and with the church. But I will highlight this book during women's history month and recommend it to students and teachers! And I love the detailed illustrations!

[J-Lynn Van Pelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of the 17th century Mexican poet, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. She was a scholar and writer when women were thought to have inferior intellects. The book describes how her zest for reading and passion for learning helped her become a beloved "poet, defender of women's educational rights, intellectual, playwright, environmentalist, [and:] wit."

The book has a sprinkiling of Spanish words with a glossary in the back of the book. There is also one of Juana's poems written in Spanish and translated in the back.

The pictures, by Beatriz Vidal, are intricately detailed, bright colored pencil portraits.

[Q_michelene Haggard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the inspirational story of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, a 17th century Mexican poet. She had a powerful curiosity and a zest for books and learning. She learned to read at three and later convinced her parents to send her to Mexico City to continue her sudies. Although there were firm gender barriers in her time, her determination and passion for knowledge allowed her to push past these barriers. Inspires us to dream big and work tirelessly to pursue our passions.

[Gabriela Cano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a bit confusing at first but then I understood how this becomes a biography book. I enjoyed reading about her love for books and how she became the woman to come to when in need of a book or wisdom. I would use this book as an individual read that grade 4-5 children can explore in the classroom when they are curious. This book was very diverse for the book had many spanish words and even a poem Juana made on her own in spanish and translated to english.

[Zach Rusnak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Library for Juana is a powerful book about a Mexican women. Juana is a inspiration to all of us fo to her thirst for knowledge. The genre of the story is non fiction because it is about the life of Juana Ines. Her biography was very interesting and really caught my attention. The other thing about this book that really caught my attention was the illustrations. I thought the illustrations. They did a really good job of capturing the Mexican culture.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about Sor Juana Ines who started learning to read at three years old when she followed her sister to school. A lifelong learner, she convinced her parents to let her first study in Mexico City and later was a lady-in-waiting for the Viceroy.

A story for grades 2-4.

Family theme for extended family and family caring about a child's desires

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad I stumbled upon this book! I hadn't heard of Mexico's Sor Juana Ines before and how she loved learning ever since she was a young girl in the 1600s. She fought for her right to be educated despite it not being the norm. She sought answers in books and shared them freely with others. Not only was she a scholar but she was also a poet.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I set a goal to start improving my Spanish. One thing I thoroughly enjoy doing is learning new words. Therefore, I started pulling some children's books from my Spanish collection, and this was one of the books. What a treat! Not only did I learn some new words, but I learned a lot about Juana, a real person. :)

[Megengelter]

recreates "life of one of the greatest of our Latin American Poets" Juana Ines - born 1648 - died April 17, 1695

"poet, defender of women's educational rights, intellectual, playwright, environmentalist, wit"

introduces Spanish words

Mexico

Non-fiction

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet book, but some of the facts if I recall from when I studied Sor Juana are inaccurate or glossed over in a different way to make the story better. Regardless, this is a fun, well illustrated book about an important woman historical figure.

[Maimoona Albar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so amazed by the illustrations. It has so much details about the Mexican culture, and it matches the story very well. The story of Juana is inspiring and unique. I like how the author simplify a biography and made it easy and enjoyable for children to read.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting. I loved learning about Juana's life. This would be a great book for young girls because it shows them that they can become anything when they get older. This books gives so much hope in the world that I feel anyone could relate to it.

[Sutton Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book introduces young American audiences to an important figure in Mexico’s literary history. I really enjoyed this book and the illustrations for it. It is important to have in the classroom for children who are ELL learners and need a better understanding.

[Carly Casassa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing, true story about the quest for knowledge that inspired one of Mexico’s most famous and beloved poets, Sor Juana Inés. This is a girl who just wants to be able to read. Soon she would be making up songs, poems, and stories...

[superawesomekt · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 4-year-old daughter and I loved this biography of a young child prodigy in seventeenth century Mexico (colonial Spain) with a love of learning and an innate knowledge that girls can thirst for, study, and learn as much as boys, she is just lovely. ❤️

Excellent text and illustrations