I, Juan de Pareja, Elizabeth Borton de Trevino
I, Juan de Pareja, Elizabeth Borton de Trevino
1 Rating(s)
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I, Juan de Pareja

Author: Elizabeth Borton de Treviño

Narrator: Johanna Ward

Unabridged: 4 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook (DRM Protected)

Published: 01/01/2006

Synopsis

In the era of Rembrandt, Rubens, and Van Dyke, Spain had its own great painter—Diego Vel├ísquez. His assistant is Juan, an African slave who helps his master in his studio by preparing paints and stretching canvasses. Soon, by spending time in the studio and watching his master's technique, Juan begins to teach himself to paint too. But such work as the creation of art is forbidden to slaves. Delighted with his work but carefully guarding his secret, Juan is torn between the need to protect himself and the need to reveal his talent.

About Elizabeth Borton de Treviño

Elizabeth Borton de Treviño (1904–2000) was the highly acclaimed author of many books for young people. Born in California, it was her move to Mexico in the 1930s that inspired many of her books, including El Güero: A True Adventure Story and Leona: A Love Story. She won the Newbery Medal in 1966 for I, Juan de Pareja.

About Johanna Ward

Johanna Ward (a.k.a. Kate Reading) is an Audie Award–winning narrator and has received numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine. She is also a theater actor in the Washington, DC, area and has been a member of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company since 1987. Her work onstage has been recognized by the Helen Hayes Awards Society, among others. She and her husband live in Hyattsville, Maryland, with their two children.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jersy on February 25, 2023

A slice of life novel designed to teach a young audience about Juan de Pareja, slave to the painter Diego Velazquez. I enjoyed the descrptions of everyday life, though they probably make the book too slow for the actual intended audience. What I didn't enjoy was how a lot of things were handled. From......more

Goodreads review by Carol Bakker on October 14, 2022

I enjoyed this as much as I did when I first read it in the 1990's.......more

Quotes

“This brilliant historical novel captures and holds the attention from its rhythmic opening sentence…all the way through to the end…A splendid book, vivid, unforgettable.” New York Times Book Review

“Ward’s reading is near flawless. In clear, rich tones, she imbues the first-person story with the sense of majesty and self-possessiveness it deserves; character voices and accents are beautifully delivered.” Today’s School Media Specialist

“The author creates a fresh and different approach to biographical fiction. The novel is also an eloquent testimonial to the bonds between races.” School Library Journal (Starred Review)

“De Treviño’s masterpiece is enhanced by Ward’s glorious narration. The colorful text is presented so artistically that simply listening to all of the different voices and accents is a great pleasure.” AudioFile

“The book is full of memorable scenes…Many paths of interest lead from this original, beautifully written story.” Horn Book Magazine

“Ward’s rich voice and flawless Spanish pronunciations add to the quality of the story.” Kliatt

Awards

  • ALA Notable Book
  • New York Times Best Juvenile Book of the Year
  • Newbery Medal
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