Joan of Arc

      Joan of Arc written by Shana Corey and illustrated by Dan Andreasen is a excellent historical fiction book to read with the students.   This book has some nice illustrations and is a well developed book.  Joan of Arc is about a a young girl named Joan, who wanted to bring victory for France.  She won her first battle at the age of seventeen against the french army.  Joan did a lot of things according to a voice she heard.  She was known to many as either a savior, herione or witch.  At the age of nineteen she was burned at the stake because people believed she was a witch.  

     The illustrations drawn by Dan Andreasen  help to bring the story alive.  The illustrations were relevant to different scenes in the story.  I found it interesting to know that Dan based some of his work on his own children.

     This is a great book to use in the classroom.  Joan of Arc consists of short paragraphs and challenging vocabulary.

 
   According to page 257 in Literature and the Child, it gives examples of quality in historical fiction.

         
Historical Accuracy

-Events and attitudes are consistent with historical evidence and appropriate to the time period.

-Social issues are pot rayed honestly, without condoning racism and sexism.

          
Literary Quality
-The work meets the criteria of all good narratives.

-The setting is integral to the story and invokes a vivid historical time consistent with   

 historical and geographical evidence.
-Characters are well developed- with feelings, values, and behavior that reflects the 

  historical period
-The plot is based on authentic facts that are subordinate to the story itself.

-The theme echoes larger historical concerns.

     
Joan of Arc follows the guidelines as described.

     I like the book Joan of Arc because it makes learning history fun.  The book was carefully put together so that a lot of information is revealed in the book.  I dislike reading a history book, but this was a interesting book to read.

Motivational Activities:
1.  Have the students pick a word that describes Joan:  witch, saint, heroine.  Have the students to write a letter to priest to state why or why not Joan should burned at the stake.  Give example to support your response.

2.  Have the students create a play of the story Joan of Arc.  break the class into groups so they each group is responsible for a different scene.  The students need to make props and have costumes.

Response Questions:
1.  In the 1400's, why did many people believe that Joan was a witch?
 2.  Who did Joan Share the prediction of her life with?
3.  Around 500 years after Joan of Arc's death, who named her a saint?

References:

Corey, Shana, 2003.  Joan of Arc. New York:  Random House Children's Books

Galda, L., Cullinan, B.E., & Sipe, L.R. (2011).  Literature and the Child.  (7th ed., pp. 12, 24).  Belmont:  Wadsworth Pub Co.