Genre 5-JOAN OF ARC

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Stanley, Diane. 1998. JOAN OF ARC. New York, New York: Morrow Junior Books Publishing. ISBN 0688143296

2. PLOT SUMMARY
JOAN OF ARC is a historical picture book written and illustrated by Diane Stanley. This book gives a very detailed description of a fifteenth-century French peasant girl, who leads her war-torn country into successful battles against England. Further, Diane Stanley relates how this astounding heroine was burned at the stake for witchcraft. Moreover, Diane Stanley’s accounts in JOAN OF ARC enlightens the reader as to why she is considered France’s embodiment of national pride. JOAN OF ARC is a biography of tragic martyrdom and sheer determined bravery.


3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This historical picture book offers a fabulous sequential description of seven years in the life of an unforgettable saint, Joan of Arc. She was a valiant, and ill-fated character. Readers will be fascinated when they learn that this historical picture book reveals Joan of Arc's youth from thirteen to nineteen. Amazingly, Joan’s life before becoming a teenager was very ordinary. For example, “The future savior of France was much like all the other little girls in the village of Domremy. She was an ordinary peasant child, sunburned and strong, used to hard work. Sometimes she helped her father out in fields or in the garden. On other days, she looked after the animals. But mostly, she stayed at home with her mother and did housework. She was especially proud of her skill at spinning and sewing.” Further, after reading this historical picture book, readers will discover that Joan of Arc could not read or write. For example, “Joan dictated these letters and someone else wrote them for her, since she never learned to read, nor could she write anything but her own name, which she spelled Jehanne.” Moreover, Readers will learn that Joan of Arc’s accomplishes a great deal in her very short lifespan. Thus, almost five hundred years after her death, she was declared as a saint.
Diane Stanley's artwork, in this historical picture book, flawlessly stands out. Stanley effortlessly presents all facts with such insightfulness the reader is left with wanting to know more about Joan of Arc. Stanley presents the reader with clear, lively, and interesting facts about Joan of Arc. Stanley reveals her passion and enthusiasm for her female protagonist. For instance, “Joan was given a dress to wear, but men’s clothing was left in her cell, as if her captors were daring her to put it back on. Indeed, four days later, Joan defied the Church and doomed herself by once again dressing as a man. She supposedly told Cauchon that she had done it willingly, preferring death to life in an English prison.”
Stanley leaves her readers in awe with her superb illustrations. Diane Stanley’s illustrations are appropriate and accurate for this time period. Stanley’s picture book illustrations complement the text and are attractive and interesting. The front cover of JOAN OF ARC is lively and detailed with gold and jewel-toned colors that were common in documents of that time period. Diane Stanley’s use of mediums such as colored pencils and watercolors reveal why the illustrators portraits range from soft pastel watercolors to lavish artwork filled with intricate and painstaking straight lines and simple shapes. Diane Stanely’s illustrations are extremely eye-catching and museum worthy. I especially like the illustration of Joan of Arc in prison. This biographical picture book is a must read for second grade and above. My students love this picture book and they wanted me to read it over and over again. They were fascinated with the illustrations too! For days, I would see my students imitating Stanely’s illustrations in our classroom art center.
JOAN OF ARC is a well-written biographical picture book with accurate facts. Further, this picture book’s layout is logical, sequential, and coherent. Stanley reference aids in JOAN OF ARC includes background information about the Hundred Years War, a pronunciation guide, a map of England and France, author’s notes, bibliography, and recommended books for younger readers. Children of all ages will find JOAN OF ARC a fascinating biographical picture book.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred Review PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Appealing to the audience's intelligence and imagination, this book stimulates an interest in both its particular subject, Joan of Arc, and history in general.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This magnificent picture book exemplifies the author's talent for historical research, skill in writing clear and interesting prose, and ability to adopt
different art styles and techniques appropriate to her subject. Joan of Arc's story is both history and mystery. How a peasant girl living in a class-structured century, a female in a man's world of war and politics, an unlettered visionary in a church-dominated society could change the course of history has been an ever-intriguing puzzle. Stanley finds answers in Joan's own words spoken before the Inquisition during her trial for heresy and in the 115 eyewitness accounts recorded in the Trial of Rehabilitation held after her martyrdom. From these 15th-century documents and other sources, the author weaves an absorbing and convincing story of a naive, brave, and driven young woman willing to face death to accomplish God's will as she heard it in her "voices." Stanley does not answer the question of whether Joan's role was divine or human in origin, concluding, "Sometimes, in studying history, we have to accept what we know and let the rest remain a mystery." The meticulously designed pages and colorful, decoratively framed illustrations are full of details from Joan's era. Decorative banners, costumes, scenes with crowds of soldiers and nobles, rooms with patterned floors, and gabled houses and crenellated castles reflect the bright world of the Flemish art of the late Middle Ages. Joan is pictured as young and serene, an innocent child among a throng of cynical warriors and disapproving priests. This narrative description of the greatest of French saints is a work of art, a good story, and a model of historical writing.”
PARENT CHOICE: “In this soberly respectful, impressively
researched and beautifully illustrated telling of the story of Joan of Arc, Diane Stanley has achieved a remarkable tour de force. Not only are her lucid acrylic paintings reminiscent of medieval manuscript illuminations both in their craftsmanship and spiritual content, but her words make us understand and sympathize with the religious faith and patriotic fervor of the Maid of Orleans. Every quote in her retelling of Joan's brave leadership of the French army to victory over the English is taken from the transcripts of Joan's eventual trial for heresy. Stanley makes us understand Joan's piety and the awesome achievements of this peasant girl, only 13 at the time of her first visions. This work is an admirable achievement.”

5. CONNECTIONS
* Allow students to draw their favorite part of the book using jewel- tones, watercolors, pencils, and collage medium. After completion, arrange artwork on the classroom walls.
* Students are to write a story about Joan of Arc using details from the book. Students are to share their story with the class.
*Other picture book biographies by Diane Stanley:
Stanley, Diane. BARD OF AVON: THE STORY OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. ISBN 0688162940
Stanley, Diane. CHARLES DICKENS: THE MAN WHO HAD GREAT EXPECTATIONS. ISBN 0688091105
Stanley, Diane. CLEOPATRA. ISBN 0688154808
Stanley, Diane. LEONARDO DA VINCI. ISBN 068810438