Is the execution scene too graphic?

No. It’s handled with historical gravity but without gruesome descriptions. It focuses on her bravery and the fact that she was later declared a saint rather than the physical details of the fire.

Does my kid need to be Catholic to enjoy this?

Not at all. It’s a historical biography first. While her faith is central to her motivations, the book treats it as a historical fact of her life rather than a religious lesson.

What reading level is this really?

It’s roughly a 3rd to 4th-grade reading level. The sentences are straightforward, and the illustrations provide a lot of context for harder words like 'Dauphin' or 'siege'.

Who Was Joan of Arc? – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Who Was Joan of Arc?

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2016

92%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

A teenage girl hears voices, leads an army, and changes history—before the English decide she's too dangerous to keep around.

Who Was Joan of Arc?

book

2016

92%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

A teenage girl hears voices, leads an army, and changes history—before the English decide she's too dangerous to keep around.

4.7

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4.7

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Where to Read

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Screenwise Verdict

The Who Was? series is the undisputed heavyweight champion of middle-grade biographies for a reason. They don't bore you with dry dates; they tell a story. This entry on Joan of Arc is one of the better ones because the stakes are so high and the protagonist is so young.

It’s an excellent pick for kids who think history is just a list of dead guys. Joan is relatable because she’s a teenager with a massive secret and a lot of guts. Just be prepared for the 'unfairness' of the ending—it's a great chance to talk about conviction and the cost of standing up for what you believe.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 8 to 12. It's the sweet spot for the reading level, though 7-year-olds can handle it as a read-aloud if you're ready to discuss the martyrdom at the end.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It handles a heavy historical life with dignity. While it deals with war and martyrdom, it focuses on Joan's conviction and leadership rather than gratuitous suffering.

Imaginative

The story of a peasant girl following internal visions to command an army is inherently sparks curiosity about faith, intuition, and breaking societal molds.

Safe

It is a book, so no digital risks. However, parents should be aware it depicts Joan being burned at the stake, which is historically accurate but can be intense for sensitive younger readers.

Enriching

A masterclass in making the Hundred Years' War and medieval politics digestible for kids. It builds massive background knowledge in history and religion.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Accessible history that turns a complex 15th-century conflict into a fast-paced narrative a third-grader can actually follow.
Strong female lead who defies every social expectation of her era without the book feeling like a lecture.
Bite-sized chapters and frequent illustrations make it a perfect 'bridge' book for kids moving into longer non-fiction.
Spiritual curiosity is handled respectfully, allowing kids to wonder about Joan's visions without being forced into a specific theological box.

⚠

What to Watch For

The ending is non-negotiable history: Joan is captured and burned at the stake. The book doesn't gore it up, but it doesn't hide it either.
The political betrayals by the French King can be frustrating for kids who expect a standard 'hero wins' ending.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the soldiers were willing to follow a teenage girl into battle?"
"If you heard a voice telling you to do something impossible, would you tell anyone?"
"Joan was executed because people were afraid of her power. Does that still happen today?"
"How do you think Joan stayed so brave when things got scary?"

Deep Dive

The Gateway to Non-Fiction

If you're trying to get a kid to care about history, you could do a lot worse than the 'Big Head' books. While the covers look a bit goofy, the content inside is surprisingly robust. Who Was Joan of Arc? manages to explain the Hundred Years' War—a mess of a conflict that confuses most adults—in a way that feels like a high-stakes adventure novel.

Handling the Visions

The book takes a balanced path with Joan’s religious experiences. It doesn't dismiss them as mental illness, nor does it preach them as absolute divine fact. It presents them as Joan saw them: as her 'voices' and her source of truth. This leaves room for families to discuss their own beliefs about faith and intuition without the book doing the parenting for them.

Why it Still Lands in 2026

Even a decade after this specific edition came out, the story of a girl fighting to be heard in a room full of men remains relevant. It’s a short read—about 100 pages with lots of pictures—making it a low-friction way to build the background knowledge strand of literacy. If your kid is a 'struggling decoder' who finds thick novels intimidating, this is exactly the kind of book that keeps their comprehension growing while they work on their reading mechanics.

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