DK Readers: Joan of Arc (Level 4: Proficient Readers)

Rating:
Summary: An excellent juvenile biography of Joan of Arc
Review: This juvenile biography of "Joan of Arc" is written for Level 4: Proficient Readers. Angela Bull tells the story of the life and death of Joan of Arc and the voices that urged her to defend France at face value. It is only in a side note that Bull admits Joan's voices are something of a mystery, which some have accepted as sent from God while others have suggested her anorexia might have made her hallucinate. The chief charm of pretty much all of the books in the Dorling Kindersley readers are the illustrations, but this time around the key facet are the details Bull provides, not only of Joan's life, trial, and execution, but of the other characters in her life's drama, such as the Dauphin who was crowned because of Joan's efforts. There are a lot of contemporary illustrations that cover the basic narrative, but it is the historic paintings, etchings and the like that stand out. This book provides a solid introduction for young readers to the life of one of the most mythical figures in European history. Doubtless, their interest in the Maid of Orleans will only begin with this nice little book.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent juvenile biography of Joan of Arc
Review: This juvenile biography of "Joan of Arc" is written for Level 4: Proficient Readers. Angela Bull tells the story of the life and death of Joan of Arc and the voices that urged her to defend France at face value. It is only in a side note that Bull admits Joan's voices are something of a mystery, which some have accepted as sent from God while others have suggested her anorexia might have made her hallucinate. The chief charm of pretty much all of the books in the Dorling Kindersley readers are the illustrations, but this time around the key facet are the details Bull provides, not only of Joan's life, trial, and execution, but of the other characters in her life's drama, such as the Dauphin who was crowned because of Joan's efforts. There are a lot of contemporary illustrations that cover the basic narrative, but it is the historic paintings, etchings and the like that stand out. This book provides a solid introduction for young readers to the life of one of the most mythical figures in European history. Doubtless, their interest in the Maid of Orleans will only begin with this nice little book.