Customer Reviews

God's Troubadour, the Story of Saint Francis of Assisi: The Story of Saint Francis of Assisi (Yesterday's Classics)

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For those wanting to give their children a brief introduction to the life of Saint Francis, this little book may be just the right choice (91 pages). The prose is very manageable for young, emerging readers, the subject matter easy to grasp for children 6-9 years old. The story relates how a young privileged boy grows from desiring war and fighting to eventually being an instrument of peace and comfort to the down-trodden of society. The style doesn't necessarily lend itself to an exciting read-aloud, but it will certainly be informative and allow for fruitful discussions about character and morality. As a supplement to one's study of the time period, this short work is a worthy addition to your curriculum.

In prose directed to 6th-to-8th graders, this is a biography of the life of Giovanni Francesco Bernardone, now known as St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the environment, animals and Italy. A simplistic account his life, the book gives little insight into the person that was and is a powerful influence on Christianity and Western Civilization. His motives are not remarked, but his experience within a culture driven by hierarchies, vendettas, revenge and exclusivity do give an idea of what Francis fought against. A good-quality copy and just what I paid for, there are no complaints, only a little disappointment. Youth vocabulary has plenty of room for reflection, depth and a purposeful portrait. Even for this young, this is an appetizer and not an entree.