Fascination with Joan of Arc has continued for over 500 years. This fictionalized story about the woman who became a saint is given an unusual perspective through the eyes of Joan’s mute cousin and best friend, Mariane, who rides in battle beside her. The two storylines move in concentric circles: Mariane’s redemption of her mother’s murder (witnessing it left her voiceless) and her own battle to keep her deceitful uncle, Sir Gaston, from stealing the estate that was her inheritance; and Jehanne’s (old French spelling) belief in her voices that tell her she must lead a crusade to rescue her country. The interplay of politics and religion, rigors of 15th-century life and the immediacy of combat are compellingly told with believable dialogue. Mariane’s trial to claim her right as liege mistress of La Paix involves an evil priest, her father’s stolen ring/seal and an all-important letter from Jehanne. French words and terms are unexplained, relying on context for meaning. The final chapter resolves the restoration of Jehanne’s good name. Intriguing. (historical note) (Historical fiction. 11-15)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-06-084102-8
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2006
Marisa is in her first year of high school, a little overweight and always ready to pick a fight. After punching her best friend’s cheating boyfriend in an elevator, she gets home to find she has someone else’s cell phone—and realizes she must have switched phones with the nerdy kid who was in the elevator with them. When she meets Rene, she immediately notices his white socks and flood pants, and yet, she can’t help wanting to hang around him. It’s a first romance for both, and their efforts to change themselves and each other are touching and funny. There’s a sweet and light touch to this love story—a lot of cuddly kissing, no heavy petting—keeping this squarely on the younger end of pre-teen (despite the older-looking cover). Set at two urban schools—one tougher, one suburban—and with Latino families (a glossary in the back will help those unfamiliar with Spanish words), this story offers readers much to identify with. Nothing terribly deep here, but it fills a gap in middle-school–age collections with something fresh and fun. (Fiction. 11-14)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-15-205497-9
Page Count: 192
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2005
A compelling survival adventure.
When her plane crashes, Robie’s years of living with her researcher parents on Midway Island provide her with important knowledge.
Cutting short a visit to an aunt in Honolulu, 15-year-old Robie gets on a small cargo plane delivering supplies that founders in an electrical storm; a crash quickly follows engine failure. The raft that becomes her support contains some useful items, but with the only other survivor almost comatose, it is clear that Robie is pretty much on her own. As a survival tale, this is both engaging and full of scary factoids and frightening possibilities. Not completely likable, Robie nonetheless engages readers with her sometimes almost stream-of-consciousness narration. She finds ways to push herself to be brave and do what is needed to survive. Her familiarity with the flora and fauna of the Pacific islands proves both asset and hindrance: She knows the danger she's in. Her thoughts are often selfish, almost whiny, but this rough-edges glimpse into her personality ultimately makes both her decisions and her chances of survival more realistic. Despite its small font, it's a quick read, thanks to plenty of white space.
A compelling survival adventure. (Adventure. 11-15)Pub Date: Aug. 21, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-312-65010-0
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: June 5, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2012
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