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Giovanna, la fanciulla guerriera
Illustrated
This volume in the Vision Books series of saints for youth combines a world famous Catholic novelist, Louis de Wohl, with one of the most thrilling and dramatic saint's lives in history, St. Joan of Arc. De Wohl uses his famed narrative skill to tell young people about the brave teenage French girl who had visions and led armies in battle, but also about how her entire life testifies to the amazing power of God's grace.
It's all here: how Joan, a humble maiden in an insignificant town, was told by St. Michael the Archangel, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret to lead the French in battle against the English; how she finally succeeded in convincing the French of the truth of her mission; how she met with fantastic success but was betrayed, captured, and imprisoned; and finally, how she suffered through a politically motivated trial for heresy and was burned at the stake.
Best of all, de Wohl is not interested solely in the external details of Joan's life, but in Joan's all-encompassing love for God, which informed all her courageous actions from beginning to end. You'll not only thrill to Joan's heroism; your heart will delight in her example of loving surrender to God's will. Every detail of her life will ring out to you as a joyful witness to the grace of God.
This volume in the Vision Books series of saints for youth combines a world famous Catholic novelist, Louis de Wohl, with one of the most thrilling and dramatic saint's lives in history, St. Joan of Arc. De Wohl uses his famed narrative skill to tell young people about the brave teenage French girl who had visions and led armies in battle, but also about how her entire life testifies to the amazing power of God's grace.
It's all here: how Joan, a humble maiden in an insignificant town, was told by St. Michael the Archangel, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret to lead the French in battle against the English; how she finally succeeded in convincing the French of the truth of her mission; how she met with fantastic success but was betrayed, captured, and imprisoned; and finally, how she suffered through a politically motivated trial for heresy and was burned at the stake.
Best of all, de Wohl is not interested solely in the external details of Joan's life, but in Joan's all-encompassing love for God, which informed all her courageous actions from beginning to end. You'll not only thrill to Joan's heroism; your heart will delight in her example of loving surrender to God's will. Every detail of her life will ring out to you as a joyful witness to the grace of God.
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
38 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Louis de Wohl
53 books246 followersMr. de Wohl was a Knight Commander of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and his wife (nee Ruth Magdalene Lorch, whom he married in 1953) is a Lady Commander of the same Order. His fifty books include The Living Wood (Lippincott, 1947), Imperial Renegade (id., 1950), The Restless Flame (id., 1951), Throne of the World (id., 1949; published in England as Attila), The Golden Thread (Lippincott, 1952), The Second Conquest (id., 1954), Set All Afire (id., 1953), The Spear (id., 1955), and St. Joan, the Girl Soldier (Farrar, 1957) in the Vision Books series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 27, 2019
I received this book for Christmas when I was 7 years old. I was a very advanced reader, but my parents were a bit optimistic about this one. I think I actually noticed it again on the bookshelf three years later and read it.
I don't think I liked it much. I was all about girls who dressed up as boys and ran away to sea, or fought as soldiers, but I didn't like Joan. She was too perfect.
I remember feeling guilty that If could never measure up, no matter how much I prayed. Oh, wait. Catholic guilt. What do you know.
I don't think I liked it much. I was all about girls who dressed up as boys and ran away to sea, or fought as soldiers, but I didn't like Joan. She was too perfect.
I remember feeling guilty that If could never measure up, no matter how much I prayed. Oh, wait. Catholic guilt. What do you know.
November 18, 2022
This volume was published in 1957, it was one of the original Vision Books for Young Readers, and is now republished by Ignatius press. It is one of three in the original series written by de Wohl. He has written these and several other biographies of saints. I wrote an overview of the Vision Books Series and after finding out so much about the series I am thankful that Ignatius has so many of them still in print, and recently heard there are several new volumes in the book. I jumped this on to the top of my list to bead because my youngest daughter is thinking about Saint Jon as her confirmation saint. I already had the eBook and picked up a physical copy of this book for her to read. I am thankful there is an eBook edition of this as I prefer eBooks because of my dyslexia, and my son prefers them because of eye tracking issues. But back to this specific volume:
The description of this volume is:
“This volume in the Vision Books series of saints for youth combines a world famous Catholic novelist, Louis de Wohl, with one of the most thrilling and dramatic saint's lives in history, St. Joan of Arc. De Wohl uses his famed narrative skill to tell young people about the brave teenage French girl who had visions and led armies in battle, but also about how her entire life testifies to the amazing power of God's grace.
It's all here: how Joan, a humble maiden in an insignificant town, was told by St. Michael the Archangel, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret to lead the French in battle against the English; how she finally succeeded in convincing the French of the truth of her mission; how she met with fantastic success but was betrayed, captured, and imprisoned; and finally, how she suffered through a politically motivated trial for heresy and was burned at the stake.
Best of all, de Wohl is not interested solely in the external details of Joan's life, but in Joan's all-encompassing love for God, which informed all her courageous actions from beginning to end. You'll not only thrill to Joan's heroism; your heart will delight in her example of loving surrender to God's will. Every detail of her life will ring out to you as a joyful witness to the grace of God.”
The chapters in the book are:
Author’s Note
1. Voices Beckon
2. Permission Denied
3. A Horse for Joan
4. Joan Is Put to a Test
5. New Attire for the Maid
6. Victory Bells Are Rung
7. The Banner Wavers
8. Mass Comes First
9. Surprised—by a Stag
10. The Dauphin Is Crowned
11. Francs for the Maid
12. Honor Restored
The author in his preface note states:
“The lives of saints are history, for saints make history, and, what is more, they make it the way God likes it best. History without the saints is all warfare, battles, countries enslaved or freed, actions of rulers, change of power from one country to another. But from time to time God points toward the way he wants things done, and the pointer he uses is time and again a saint.
Saints are people, and they are not always peaceful people. They can fight, and indeed they must fight whenever they come across evil. This, then, is the story of a great fighter of God who was a saint. And this fighter, this saint, was a girl. She made history in leading her poor, oppressed country to victory. She made history also by showing by her wonderful example that the very first thing we need if we want to win through is faith.
In the course of my life I have read a great many books about her, and every one of them has taught me a little more about her. Today I no longer remember the names of all the authors, but I am grateful to every one of them.
You too will one day have forgotten the name of this author. But I don’t think you will ever forget the saint about whom I have written: lovely, glorious, young Joan of Arc.”
I believe his intention will be fulfilled. I have read a few books about this saint, and watched a few movies or miniseries about her life. Some with a clear Catholic faith filled intent and some … not so much. This one is geared for younger readers but will bless anyone who reads it with the intention of learning more about this saint. My only complaint is the story goes from her named being cleared to today in a few paragraphs. I really feel this could have been a whole other chapter or even two. The volume concludes with these words:
“Joan was never forgotten, but for several centuries her memory seemed to sleep in the hearts and minds of most people until, in 1909, a saint on the papal throne, Pope Saint Pius X, declared her blessed. In 1920, on May 9, Pope Benedict XV declared her a saint.
Tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of French soldiers invoked her in battle during the terrible times of the First World War, 1914-1918. The great commander-in-chief of all the Allied troops in the last years of that war, Marshal Foch, never tired of pointing out that “the Maid” had been a brilliant strategist and tactician. French officers to this very day are learning from her!
In 1931, when the five-hundredth anniversary of her death was celebrated, the English Cardinal Bourne, Archbishop of Westminster, praised the saint who had fought so valiantly against his country, recalling that she had never hated her enemies, but wished them well. He quoted Joan’s own words to the “Godons”: “Go back to your homes, and God bless you.”
In one of his books, a great British leader of the Second World War, Sir Winston Churchill, praised her at length.
The history of a saint continues to inspire, thanks first and foremost to the Church, who invokes her saints every day. As long as there will be men and women who love their country well enough to fight for its freedom, the memory of Saint Joan of Arc, the saint of soldiers, will never die.
In 1956 the five-hundredth anniversary of her rehabilitation was celebrated in Rouen, in the presence of the President of the French Republic. The beautiful cathedral, which had suffered so badly under the bombardment in the Second World War, was rebuilt. English Catholics, making reparation for the wrong the saint suffered in the long gone past, donated a special window.”
This book is wonderfully written. It is a great book, by a skilled author in an excellent series. the writing is clear and crisp. The pace is fast. And it is written with honesty and integrity. It neither tells the story with a glossy cover or looking to discredit. It presents the facts.
I plan on reading all the books in this series that are in print and as many of the out of print that I can track down. I returned to this series because I had finished the 38 books in the Encounter the Saints Series from Pauline Books and Media. Those books are geared for a younger audience, and these are written for older readers and go deeper into the subject matters of each volume. This is a great book in an excellent series. My only complaint is that only about a third of the books are available in digital formats, with my dual form of dyslexia and my son’s eye tracking issues eBooks are our preferred format. These books are written for a Middle Grade or Teens in mind, but this one and the others I have read are excellent volumes for readers of all ages. A great biography of an amazing Saint, I can easily recommend this book.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!
The description of this volume is:
“This volume in the Vision Books series of saints for youth combines a world famous Catholic novelist, Louis de Wohl, with one of the most thrilling and dramatic saint's lives in history, St. Joan of Arc. De Wohl uses his famed narrative skill to tell young people about the brave teenage French girl who had visions and led armies in battle, but also about how her entire life testifies to the amazing power of God's grace.
It's all here: how Joan, a humble maiden in an insignificant town, was told by St. Michael the Archangel, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret to lead the French in battle against the English; how she finally succeeded in convincing the French of the truth of her mission; how she met with fantastic success but was betrayed, captured, and imprisoned; and finally, how she suffered through a politically motivated trial for heresy and was burned at the stake.
Best of all, de Wohl is not interested solely in the external details of Joan's life, but in Joan's all-encompassing love for God, which informed all her courageous actions from beginning to end. You'll not only thrill to Joan's heroism; your heart will delight in her example of loving surrender to God's will. Every detail of her life will ring out to you as a joyful witness to the grace of God.”
The chapters in the book are:
Author’s Note
1. Voices Beckon
2. Permission Denied
3. A Horse for Joan
4. Joan Is Put to a Test
5. New Attire for the Maid
6. Victory Bells Are Rung
7. The Banner Wavers
8. Mass Comes First
9. Surprised—by a Stag
10. The Dauphin Is Crowned
11. Francs for the Maid
12. Honor Restored
The author in his preface note states:
“The lives of saints are history, for saints make history, and, what is more, they make it the way God likes it best. History without the saints is all warfare, battles, countries enslaved or freed, actions of rulers, change of power from one country to another. But from time to time God points toward the way he wants things done, and the pointer he uses is time and again a saint.
Saints are people, and they are not always peaceful people. They can fight, and indeed they must fight whenever they come across evil. This, then, is the story of a great fighter of God who was a saint. And this fighter, this saint, was a girl. She made history in leading her poor, oppressed country to victory. She made history also by showing by her wonderful example that the very first thing we need if we want to win through is faith.
In the course of my life I have read a great many books about her, and every one of them has taught me a little more about her. Today I no longer remember the names of all the authors, but I am grateful to every one of them.
You too will one day have forgotten the name of this author. But I don’t think you will ever forget the saint about whom I have written: lovely, glorious, young Joan of Arc.”
I believe his intention will be fulfilled. I have read a few books about this saint, and watched a few movies or miniseries about her life. Some with a clear Catholic faith filled intent and some … not so much. This one is geared for younger readers but will bless anyone who reads it with the intention of learning more about this saint. My only complaint is the story goes from her named being cleared to today in a few paragraphs. I really feel this could have been a whole other chapter or even two. The volume concludes with these words:
“Joan was never forgotten, but for several centuries her memory seemed to sleep in the hearts and minds of most people until, in 1909, a saint on the papal throne, Pope Saint Pius X, declared her blessed. In 1920, on May 9, Pope Benedict XV declared her a saint.
Tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of French soldiers invoked her in battle during the terrible times of the First World War, 1914-1918. The great commander-in-chief of all the Allied troops in the last years of that war, Marshal Foch, never tired of pointing out that “the Maid” had been a brilliant strategist and tactician. French officers to this very day are learning from her!
In 1931, when the five-hundredth anniversary of her death was celebrated, the English Cardinal Bourne, Archbishop of Westminster, praised the saint who had fought so valiantly against his country, recalling that she had never hated her enemies, but wished them well. He quoted Joan’s own words to the “Godons”: “Go back to your homes, and God bless you.”
In one of his books, a great British leader of the Second World War, Sir Winston Churchill, praised her at length.
The history of a saint continues to inspire, thanks first and foremost to the Church, who invokes her saints every day. As long as there will be men and women who love their country well enough to fight for its freedom, the memory of Saint Joan of Arc, the saint of soldiers, will never die.
In 1956 the five-hundredth anniversary of her rehabilitation was celebrated in Rouen, in the presence of the President of the French Republic. The beautiful cathedral, which had suffered so badly under the bombardment in the Second World War, was rebuilt. English Catholics, making reparation for the wrong the saint suffered in the long gone past, donated a special window.”
This book is wonderfully written. It is a great book, by a skilled author in an excellent series. the writing is clear and crisp. The pace is fast. And it is written with honesty and integrity. It neither tells the story with a glossy cover or looking to discredit. It presents the facts.
I plan on reading all the books in this series that are in print and as many of the out of print that I can track down. I returned to this series because I had finished the 38 books in the Encounter the Saints Series from Pauline Books and Media. Those books are geared for a younger audience, and these are written for older readers and go deeper into the subject matters of each volume. This is a great book in an excellent series. My only complaint is that only about a third of the books are available in digital formats, with my dual form of dyslexia and my son’s eye tracking issues eBooks are our preferred format. These books are written for a Middle Grade or Teens in mind, but this one and the others I have read are excellent volumes for readers of all ages. A great biography of an amazing Saint, I can easily recommend this book.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!
April 26, 2021
“As long as there will be men and women who love their country well enough to fight for its freedom, the memory of Saint Joan of Arc, the saint of soldiers, will never die.”
June 11, 2020
Update:
After reading a few children’s books of Joan by secular authors, it was refreshing to read this one again by a Catholic for perspectives such as the following quote, instead of just facts.
“All that had happened was God’s work, and he alone should be given the honor for it. He had chosen her not because she merited to be chosen, but because it had pleased him to do so. She was his instrument, and he could drop her at any moment if it pleases him to do so. She was his creature; she belonged to him. He had made her, and all she had was his, not hers. If he chose to take it all away again, she had no right to complain.” Pg137
First reading:
I liked learning more about Saint Joan, but I wouldn't recommend this one for reading aloud, unless you can speak French. And we all got a bit confused about who was who. Joan's faith in God is very inspirational. A much better read if reading to yourself.
After reading a few children’s books of Joan by secular authors, it was refreshing to read this one again by a Catholic for perspectives such as the following quote, instead of just facts.
“All that had happened was God’s work, and he alone should be given the honor for it. He had chosen her not because she merited to be chosen, but because it had pleased him to do so. She was his instrument, and he could drop her at any moment if it pleases him to do so. She was his creature; she belonged to him. He had made her, and all she had was his, not hers. If he chose to take it all away again, she had no right to complain.” Pg137
First reading:
I liked learning more about Saint Joan, but I wouldn't recommend this one for reading aloud, unless you can speak French. And we all got a bit confused about who was who. Joan's faith in God is very inspirational. A much better read if reading to yourself.
November 26, 2018
have read this one multiple times with the kids. fun to read out loud with an exaggerated fake French accent
January 26, 2023
We read this as a family read aloud since Brooklyn has chosen St Joan of Arc for her Confirmation saint. It was a very well done retelling of this courageous young girl's story and had much dialogue which was both compelling and witty at times.
August 4, 2025
Realmente mientras más trato de entender a Dios, y adentrarme en el mundo de el catolicismo y todo lo demás, menos lo entiendo y más me alejo.
Obviamente nunca vamos a saber las razones por la cual Dios dejo de comunicarse con Juana, como si su tiempo de utilidad se hubiera acabado y luego la dejo a merced de la maldad y crueldad.
Muchos dicen aparte, que sus voces no eran más que Esquizofrenia, pero si realmente tuvo eso ¿Como mierda hico ella para terminar y predecir la guerra de los 100 años? De la nada, después de que Carlos XII ascendiera al trono ¿Dejo de tener esquizofrenia? (Momentos aproximados donde dejo de escuchar las voces)
Siendo una santa tan reciente, no entiendo como casi nadie de mi entorno cercano (Escuela católica, padres católicos, familiares católicos) NADIE HABLA DE ELLA. Y realmente es una santa muy interesante e importante, porque resumiendo mucho y saltándonos mucha explicación, Dios se metió en política, POLITICA ACTUAL. Porque Francia e Inglaterra siguen extiendo.
Creo muchísimo más en Juana que en Dios mismo y mis clases de Catequesis serían muchísimo más interesantes si habláramos de ella y otros santos que repetir lo mismo todos los años.
Obviamente nunca vamos a saber las razones por la cual Dios dejo de comunicarse con Juana, como si su tiempo de utilidad se hubiera acabado y luego la dejo a merced de la maldad y crueldad.
Muchos dicen aparte, que sus voces no eran más que Esquizofrenia, pero si realmente tuvo eso ¿Como mierda hico ella para terminar y predecir la guerra de los 100 años? De la nada, después de que Carlos XII ascendiera al trono ¿Dejo de tener esquizofrenia? (Momentos aproximados donde dejo de escuchar las voces)
Siendo una santa tan reciente, no entiendo como casi nadie de mi entorno cercano (Escuela católica, padres católicos, familiares católicos) NADIE HABLA DE ELLA. Y realmente es una santa muy interesante e importante, porque resumiendo mucho y saltándonos mucha explicación, Dios se metió en política, POLITICA ACTUAL. Porque Francia e Inglaterra siguen extiendo.
Creo muchísimo más en Juana que en Dios mismo y mis clases de Catequesis serían muchísimo más interesantes si habláramos de ella y otros santos que repetir lo mismo todos los años.
February 10, 2019
I've been dreading writing this review, because this was a very thoughtout and thoughtful gift from a friend. I do want to say that I loved learning more about Joan of Arc. Eventhough, I am Catholic, I am not very versed in our Saint's, their lives, their missions, or why they were canonized. So, while I enjoyed getting to know Saint Joan's story, this book was not entertaining. It was dry. There was no connection between the writer and reader and I think it's mainly because there is NO connection between the characters. I do need to remember that this was first published in 1957, when the views of man and the Catholic Church were still very archaic and unchanged. I couldn't help but wonder how this story could be so much more with a Modern Day YA Author retelling this story. I kept wondering how Kiersten White would write Joan's story. Her ability to write fierce female characters is so incredible. For some reason, I kept thinking of Lada from And I Darken while reading Saint Joan. I think they have a similar ferociousness and belief in their journey and who and what they are meant to be, and they don't really let anybody get in their way of that.
June 30, 2018
Very god, but not great
There was SO much of this saint's life left out of the story I found myself disappointed. The author is very good and should have included so much more of the corrupt people, including the dauphin himself, and so much more of the trial.
Mark Twain' book 'Joan of Arc' was far more comprehensive, and while Twain was not Catholic, the author of this book is and should have made more of an effort to include more events in the saint' life.
I'm glad I bought, and I enjoyed it.
Perhaps it's unfair to compare any contemporary writer to Twain.
There was SO much of this saint's life left out of the story I found myself disappointed. The author is very good and should have included so much more of the corrupt people, including the dauphin himself, and so much more of the trial.
Mark Twain' book 'Joan of Arc' was far more comprehensive, and while Twain was not Catholic, the author of this book is and should have made more of an effort to include more events in the saint' life.
I'm glad I bought, and I enjoyed it.
Perhaps it's unfair to compare any contemporary writer to Twain.
April 16, 2024
This was Great at First, I was hesitant, I was like hrm, then I Got really into it, St Joan was a true warrior for God. This book unlike a many of books is not about girl power but God's power and how he works through people like Joan! St Joan of Arc truly was Human, Human doesn't mean we have to sin it means we have free will it's what God gave us so take that free will and do God's will.
St Joan of Arc, Pray For us!
St Joan of Arc, Pray For us!
June 7, 2020
Tears for the final chapter
I have yet to find anyone that does a better job in writing novel versions of saintly lives. Reading Louis Dr Wohl is like taking a walk with the saints and knowing them like a friend.
I have yet to find anyone that does a better job in writing novel versions of saintly lives. Reading Louis Dr Wohl is like taking a walk with the saints and knowing them like a friend.
June 24, 2021
A book for all times and ages!
What a beautiful and gentle tribute to St. Joan! In this era, more of us need to take up God's banner and fight for His will to be done. Thank you, de Wohl, for writing this book.
What a beautiful and gentle tribute to St. Joan! In this era, more of us need to take up God's banner and fight for His will to be done. Thank you, de Wohl, for writing this book.
July 20, 2023
At the beginning of the book, I thought it was going to be an interesting story, but it turns out that as I read it more, the more the book got drawn out longer. I have read these kind of saint books before for my school and most of them have a reasonable amount of action in them, but this book, there was barely any action and the only action that was in this book was a few sentences. Otherwise, the book was very helpful for educational purposes.
February 18, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. I read it when I was in middle school and fell in love with St. Joan of Arc. de Wohl is one of my favorite Catholic authors and I find that every book I read of his is immersive and helps me to truly understand the saints, and my faith, better.
July 27, 2019
I liked it but so far, I think it lacks descriptions of the battles, tactics, or even her life. But to hang out it's fine. I would not read it again.
March 8, 2020
Simple but provoking narrative of one of my favorite saints.
May 20, 2020
Excellent read!
St Joan of Arc is my confirmation saint, and I don’t tire of reading about her! Well-written, I enjoyed reading this book.
St Joan of Arc is my confirmation saint, and I don’t tire of reading about her! Well-written, I enjoyed reading this book.
July 3, 2020
I greatly enjoyed this book. My husband recommended it to me and I'm so glad he did!
July 8, 2020
Joan is ah-mazing. I want to be like her!!!
February 20, 2022
Un libro maravilloso sobre una maravillosa santa. Recomendado al 100%
August 30, 2022
Love Louis de Wohl and his ability take a complicated history and present it to children without dumbing down the importance of that history.
October 23, 2023
3.75 stars.
January 4, 2024
I have always had such a special connection to Joan of arc. I think about her alllllll the time and I love her deeply. I found this in the children’s books section at a thrift store
June 18, 2024
You cannot have "The Girl Soldier" in the title then completely gloss over the battles. Also the characters are boring.
December 18, 2024
St. Joan!
A really good book for middle schoolers that tells her story in strict keeping with the actual history, yet with such devotion and honor and in beautiful language
A really good book for middle schoolers that tells her story in strict keeping with the actual history, yet with such devotion and honor and in beautiful language
April 25, 2025
I would have really enjoyed this but there were so many confusing French names.
April 26, 2025
good for ya reading
September 26, 2025
De Wohl non si smentisce
Grande romanzo storico
Grande romanzo storico
August 7, 2013
All these ratings are on a 1-10 scale, 1 being the lowest.
Quality of Writing: 4
Very childish, which is to be expected, since it's a children's book. Perhaps it is because of this childish viewpoint, but it didn't seem to flow as well as it could have. It was abrupt quite often. One can tell there is more to the story, but it's being dumbed down. Again, if you're under 12 or so, no problem.
Pace: 6
It's very easy to flip through, yet almost too fast. Again, there is more to the story than de Wohl had to time to explain. I feel like I just picked up this book and suddenly it's over. Which isn't bad from a read-as-many-books-before-you-can-die stand point, but I feel bereft all the same.
Plot development: 8
One of the benefits to a children's book: easy plot. Yes it was dumbed down, but to be honest, would I have understood the plot with all the complicated military jargon? No. This plot was very clear and well constructed. Girl goes with army. Does X. People upset/happy. Does Y. And so on.
Characters: 6
I really liked and knew about four characters: Joan, the Dauphin, Louis, and La Hire. I couldn't keep the various dukes straight for my life. Every time a character other than those four came onto the scene, it was like we were being introduced to them for the first time. This was probably done on purpose; I'm sure I'm not the only one who confuses the dukes. So I wasn't missing key plot points. Unfortunately, it doesn't make for very meaningful reading, as it doesn't build on what's already been written. They just comment on Joan instead of having a life of their own. Eliminating a duke or two would not have gone amiss, since this is a children's novel.
Enjoyability: 7
I liked learning about Joan of Arc in a fun, easy way. But, being superficial, I'm not emotionally attached in any way.
Insightfulness: 8
All I knew about Joan of Arc before I read this book was that she led the French to victory and was burned at the stake. Now I know a lot more detail of how exactly she led the French to victory and who she was condemned by and why. Though there wasn't as much depth as there could have been, I feel very abreast of the movements of Joan of Arc.
Ease of Reading: 9
And the best part of all about children's books. Hardly any rereading necessary to understand things. Sono trouble here, expect for those accursed dukes confusing you with their similar names.
Illustrations: 4
Not bad, except Joan looked different in nearly every drawing. It gave you a hint of what was to come, and a way to picture it. I found the pictures in my head to be different anyway, but I think they were nice to give you a sense of what to imagine.
All this averages out to a 6.5/10, which is a 3.2 on a five scale. So it got a three.
Quality of Writing: 4
Very childish, which is to be expected, since it's a children's book. Perhaps it is because of this childish viewpoint, but it didn't seem to flow as well as it could have. It was abrupt quite often. One can tell there is more to the story, but it's being dumbed down. Again, if you're under 12 or so, no problem.
Pace: 6
It's very easy to flip through, yet almost too fast. Again, there is more to the story than de Wohl had to time to explain. I feel like I just picked up this book and suddenly it's over. Which isn't bad from a read-as-many-books-before-you-can-die stand point, but I feel bereft all the same.
Plot development: 8
One of the benefits to a children's book: easy plot. Yes it was dumbed down, but to be honest, would I have understood the plot with all the complicated military jargon? No. This plot was very clear and well constructed. Girl goes with army. Does X. People upset/happy. Does Y. And so on.
Characters: 6
I really liked and knew about four characters: Joan, the Dauphin, Louis, and La Hire. I couldn't keep the various dukes straight for my life. Every time a character other than those four came onto the scene, it was like we were being introduced to them for the first time. This was probably done on purpose; I'm sure I'm not the only one who confuses the dukes. So I wasn't missing key plot points. Unfortunately, it doesn't make for very meaningful reading, as it doesn't build on what's already been written. They just comment on Joan instead of having a life of their own. Eliminating a duke or two would not have gone amiss, since this is a children's novel.
Enjoyability: 7
I liked learning about Joan of Arc in a fun, easy way. But, being superficial, I'm not emotionally attached in any way.
Insightfulness: 8
All I knew about Joan of Arc before I read this book was that she led the French to victory and was burned at the stake. Now I know a lot more detail of how exactly she led the French to victory and who she was condemned by and why. Though there wasn't as much depth as there could have been, I feel very abreast of the movements of Joan of Arc.
Ease of Reading: 9
And the best part of all about children's books. Hardly any rereading necessary to understand things. Sono trouble here, expect for those accursed dukes confusing you with their similar names.
Illustrations: 4
Not bad, except Joan looked different in nearly every drawing. It gave you a hint of what was to come, and a way to picture it. I found the pictures in my head to be different anyway, but I think they were nice to give you a sense of what to imagine.
All this averages out to a 6.5/10, which is a 3.2 on a five scale. So it got a three.
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