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Who Was . . . ? Series
Who Was Joan of Arc?
Joan of Arc was born in a small French village during the worst period of the Hundred Years' War. For generations, France had been besieged by the British. At age 11, Joan began to see religious visions telling her to join forces with the King of France. By the time she was a teenager, she was leading troops into battle in the name of her country. Though she was captured and executed for her beliefs, Joan of Arc became a Catholic saint and has since captured the world's imagination.
112 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2016
About the author
Pam Pollack
78 books38 followersPamela Pollack is a writer/editor/compiler of children's and young adult books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
April 3, 2018
A remarkable and monumental life.
March 14, 2023
سرگذشت " ژان " ، دختر جوانی که در زمان جنگهای صد سالهی میان فرانسه و انگلستان به کمک جامعهی فرانسه آمد و در این راه به یک قدیس و محافظ معنویِ کشور فرانسه بَدَل گشت !
پ.ن: پنج ستاره دادم چون خیلی کوتاه، مختصر، مصور و راحتخوان بود!
پ.ن: پنج ستاره دادم چون خیلی کوتاه، مختصر، مصور و راحتخوان بود!
February 11, 2026
Who Was…? biography series for middle grade encourages with the story of Joan of Arc – a poor peasant girl who after having visions became a warrior who led an army into battle.
Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was born in the village of Domremy, France, where she cared for the family’s cattle and sheep.
In 1420, a treaty was signed that France would be ruled by Charles of England who was part French. But some French people felt betrayed by the French king, Charles VI. After his death, French people fought between themselves who should be the king of France.
During this turmoil time, in 1425, one day when Joan was working in the garden, she heard someone calling her name, but she only saw a bright light.
The third time, she heard the voice, she recognized the archangel Michael. In her time, visions from God didn’t seem so extraordinary.
When she was sixteen, she was told to be destined to help the dauphin become king. She didn’t know how she could do such thing but her faith was very strong and she kept praying.
On April 29, 1429, she arrived outside Orleans with two hundred soldiers. They won the battle but Charles had to be crowned at cathedral in order to be the king of France. Many cities were still occupied by the English. Joan and her army captured one town after another.
On July 16, 1429, they arrived in Reims, and a day later, the dauphin was crowned King Charles VII at the cathedral.
Many cities were still held by the English, including Paris, which Joan wanted to give back to the French people. There were a few attempts to approach the city, but Joan was failing for the first time. She grew impatient as she didn’t like waiting.
Over in England, in November 1429, the young son of Henry V was crowned king of France. Now, France had two kings.
In the spring of 1430, Joan was given permission to capture a French town from the English. She was captured and put on trial. She was nineteen. The Catholic Church tried to prove that she was a witch. And being dressed in men’s clothes was seen as crime. She was found guilty. When she faced a horrible death and was scared, she signed a note promising to stop wearing men’s clothes, to never fight in a war again, and the all voices she heard were lie.
Her head was shaved and she was sent back to the tower. Three days later, the saints told her that she had done a terrible thing by signing the false confession. She took it all back. She was burned at stakes.
In 1456, the Church reversed its decision and declared Joan innocent.
In 1920, she was declared a saint by the Catholic Church.
This biography exemplifies a young girl who had incredible strength, was very courageous, and was strongly religious. Her faith led her to achieve what would seem unachievable for a peasant girl who could read and write. The strong connection to the Higher Power is what creates miracles.
This illustrated biography for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts.
Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was born in the village of Domremy, France, where she cared for the family’s cattle and sheep.
In 1420, a treaty was signed that France would be ruled by Charles of England who was part French. But some French people felt betrayed by the French king, Charles VI. After his death, French people fought between themselves who should be the king of France.
During this turmoil time, in 1425, one day when Joan was working in the garden, she heard someone calling her name, but she only saw a bright light.
The third time, she heard the voice, she recognized the archangel Michael. In her time, visions from God didn’t seem so extraordinary.
When she was sixteen, she was told to be destined to help the dauphin become king. She didn’t know how she could do such thing but her faith was very strong and she kept praying.
On April 29, 1429, she arrived outside Orleans with two hundred soldiers. They won the battle but Charles had to be crowned at cathedral in order to be the king of France. Many cities were still occupied by the English. Joan and her army captured one town after another.
On July 16, 1429, they arrived in Reims, and a day later, the dauphin was crowned King Charles VII at the cathedral.
Many cities were still held by the English, including Paris, which Joan wanted to give back to the French people. There were a few attempts to approach the city, but Joan was failing for the first time. She grew impatient as she didn’t like waiting.
Over in England, in November 1429, the young son of Henry V was crowned king of France. Now, France had two kings.
In the spring of 1430, Joan was given permission to capture a French town from the English. She was captured and put on trial. She was nineteen. The Catholic Church tried to prove that she was a witch. And being dressed in men’s clothes was seen as crime. She was found guilty. When she faced a horrible death and was scared, she signed a note promising to stop wearing men’s clothes, to never fight in a war again, and the all voices she heard were lie.
Her head was shaved and she was sent back to the tower. Three days later, the saints told her that she had done a terrible thing by signing the false confession. She took it all back. She was burned at stakes.
In 1456, the Church reversed its decision and declared Joan innocent.
In 1920, she was declared a saint by the Catholic Church.
This biography exemplifies a young girl who had incredible strength, was very courageous, and was strongly religious. Her faith led her to achieve what would seem unachievable for a peasant girl who could read and write. The strong connection to the Higher Power is what creates miracles.
This illustrated biography for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts.
January 23, 2021
I enjoyed the fact that they were true to the historical version without the gorey details.
March 26, 2026
Joan of Arc, a peasant girl in 1400s France, was a military heroine at age 18. Joan dressed like a boy, claimed to have been given instructions from angels, and won many victories for France over the English. She was eventually captured by England. She was charged and convicted of heresy and was burned alive at the stake. Joan of Arc was declared to be a saint by the Catholic Church 500 years later. Short, succinct, and educational.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2017
Who Was Joan of Arc? by Pam Pollack, Meg Belviso is a religious telling of Joan of Arc. Interesting with great illustrations. I got this book from the library.
March 28, 2018
"She only lived nineteen years, but in those years she showed more strength, courage, and faith than most . . . She was proof that the poorest of peasant girls could be richest in faith and could save an entire country."
It is amazing that a young woman of only seventeen could turn the tide of history with her unwavering courage and undeniable faith. This well-written biography dissects a rather complicated political arena into an understandable narrative; putting Joan of Arc on full display, which she deserves.
It is amazing that a young woman of only seventeen could turn the tide of history with her unwavering courage and undeniable faith. This well-written biography dissects a rather complicated political arena into an understandable narrative; putting Joan of Arc on full display, which she deserves.
June 6, 2023
Sad but informative...
July 9, 2017
We have been meaning to get around to reading about Joan of Arc since we visited Rouen this spring break, where Joan was burned at the stake. It was a perfect book for my 8 year old to learn more about her without all the gore that is attached to war and what happened to her! Perfect starting off point!
June 4, 2025
I am so happy to have found this series.
I learned...
Joan of Arc was shot the one time she fought on a holy day.
Charles 7 was no help after all she did to help put him on the throne, and did some self/France sabotaging decisions, and also only came to Joan's defense twenty years after she died, once the English were officially out of the country.
There were 4 major inquisitions, and she happened to be living (and killed) during one of them.
There had been a prophecy that France would be saved by a maid. So people were expecting someone like Joan to show up, and Charles' test of disguising himself was just to see if Joan was the right maid for the job.
Joan saw loads of saints and visions.
I learned...
Joan of Arc was shot the one time she fought on a holy day.
Charles 7 was no help after all she did to help put him on the throne, and did some self/France sabotaging decisions, and also only came to Joan's defense twenty years after she died, once the English were officially out of the country.
There were 4 major inquisitions, and she happened to be living (and killed) during one of them.
There had been a prophecy that France would be saved by a maid. So people were expecting someone like Joan to show up, and Charles' test of disguising himself was just to see if Joan was the right maid for the job.
Joan saw loads of saints and visions.
January 30, 2024
I loved how thorough and un-biased as always this book was, but it still was filled with much information that makes me question how God and religions work. Nonetheless, no matter what you believe, I would still highly recommend this book as again with every other book in this series, it is very quick-read, suitable for all ages, yet still very educational in a very entertaining way.
January 3, 2024
comprehensive overview of her life
This is a great comprehensive yet concise overview of who Joan of Arc was. It’s easily digestible for younger audiences for them to learn and understand historical figures.
This is a great comprehensive yet concise overview of who Joan of Arc was. It’s easily digestible for younger audiences for them to learn and understand historical figures.
Read
September 15, 2024Had to study up for Paris
August 1, 2024
I didn't know much about the specific battles (many of them) and which King she was trying to support with the fighting. Good Info.
October 28, 2024
Very interesting, and expository.
November 20, 2018
Plus audible audiobook narrated by: Karyn O’Bryant
April 15, 2018
Interesting to think about reading this as a third grader. I love the little fact boxes and certainly learned/ reviewed some history! I think I will read more of these “Who Was” books since I want to be “as smart as a third grader!”
April 11, 2018
What a woman.
June 28, 2018
Amazing! Only 19 years on this earth and yet she left such an incredible legacy. Incredible she was so loyal to her king, who was not very loyal to her.
While on trial "Bishop Cauchon ...wanted her to say something that made it seem like she thought she was better than God...When asked if the archangel Michael was naked when he spoke to her, Joan said, "Do you think that God can't find him clothes?" (81)
While on trial "Bishop Cauchon ...wanted her to say something that made it seem like she thought she was better than God...When asked if the archangel Michael was naked when he spoke to her, Joan said, "Do you think that God can't find him clothes?" (81)
April 7, 2017
I cannot begin to relate to her heroism and depth of humility and courage. I love Joan and this book series. BYU made a documentary of her life that is incredible. She was illiterate and lived in the 1400s, yet there is so much of her life that was documented because she was on trial for so long. Absolutely amazing.
November 10, 2017
A vivid story w/ factual background injected in a helpful, informative manner: I knew the basic story of Joan, but this little book made her into a real person and made real the enormity of what she accomplished. What a warrior, yet what a faithful girl! She heard the message of God and responded.
March 29, 2016
I'm amazed at the bravery of Joan of Arc. She was so young when she fought for her country and she devoted herself to making sure England's king did not have the chance to rule France. Her story is very inspiring.
December 13, 2017
This is a great children's intro to Joan of Arc. I'm interested in more of this series, but I just got it for my daughter to learn a bit. I learned some things too. It covered a lot of the darker stuff but wasn't too graphic.
January 10, 2018
By today's standards, she would be labeled a psychic schizophrenic.
Medicated, sent to "Napa" which is now discontinued, so she'd end up at a Medical Facility of incarceration, and medicated some more .. . ..
Medicated, sent to "Napa" which is now discontinued, so she'd end up at a Medical Facility of incarceration, and medicated some more .. . ..
February 2, 2022
Very interesting biography - amazing and ridiculous all at the same time. I honestly think the worst part is how the church took it all back and said she was innocent after everything they did to her and, you know, murdering her. Figures.
October 5, 2017
I love reading books like this, so this might just be my opinion, but the book has very fine detail about the timeline of what she did. That helped me understand more about her life.
October 6, 2017
What an interesting person to read about!
October 13, 2017
I like this book because Joan is very strong in her faith.
January 29, 2018
Wow! Reading this makes me want to read a full biography about her. I think she is the most brave person I’ve ever read about
March 8, 2018
I don’t know a lot about Joan of Arc so I found this interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews