The Language of Fire

The Language of Fire is a lyrical, dark, and moving look at the life of Joan of Arc, who as a teen girl in the fifteenth century commanded an army and helped crown a king of France. This extraordinary verse novel from award-winning author Stephanie Hemphill dares to imagine how an ordinary girl became a great leader, and ultimately saved a nation. Jehanne was an illiterate peasant, never quite at home among her siblings and peers. Until one day, she hears a voice call to her, telling her she is destined for important things. She begins to understand that she has been called by God, chosen for a higher purpose—to save France. Through sheer determination and incredible courage, Jehanne becomes the unlikeliest of heroes. She runs away from home, dresses in men’s clothes, and convinces an army that she will lead France to victory. As a girl in a man’s world, at a time when women truly had no power, Jehanne faced constant threats and violence from the men around her. Despite the impossible odds, Jehanne became a fearless warrior who has inspired generations. How did one young woman defy an empire and become a legend? A Legendary Heroine Reimagined: Go inside the mind of Jehanne, an illiterate peasant girl who hears the voice of God and rises to lead an army. An Unshakable Faith: Follow her divine calling as she convinces soldiers, captains, and a dauphin that she is destined to save France. A Girl in a Man’s World: Experience the constant danger Jehanne faced, from the threat of violence on the battlefield to the political betrayal of the men she fought to protect. A Strong Female Protagonist: Discover a warrior who dons men’s clothes, wields a sword, and inspires a nation, becoming a timeless symbol of courage.