This artfully illustrated biography of the French religious martyr pairs detailed text and artwork rendered in a glowing, almost luminous palette evocativeof illuminated manuscripts from medieval times. Stanley begins with a brief history of the Hundred Years War to provide historical context for the story of Joan's life that follows. This history, along with additional explanations provided throughout the narrative, allows readers to enter the text more fully, understanding and accepting Joan's religious beliefs and her resulting actions rather than finding her visions, her passions and her devotion improbable. Each two-page spread features text bordered in gold and graced with a detail illustration on the left side and a full-page, gold- bordered illustration on the right. A pronunciation guide tells how to say the many names of French people and places that are mentioned throughout the book, while a bibliography and recommended reading list round out this elegant volume. (Ages 11-14)

Against the fascinating tapestry of Frances history during the Hundred Years' War, Diane Stanley unfolds the story of the simple thirteen-year-old village girl who in Just a few years would lead France to independence from English rule, and thus become a symbol of France's national pride. It is a story of vision and bravery, fierce determination, and tragic martyrdom. Diane Stanley's extraordinary gift to present historical information in an accessible and child-friendly format has never been more impressive, nor her skillful, beautifully realized illustrations (here imitating medieval illuminated manuscripts) more exquisite.