I, Juan de Pareja

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown Kids Reference 0-week checkout	R Newbery Medal 1966	0-week checkout	Library Use Only
Pittsfield Kids Books 4-week checkout	Kids Book / Fiction / Classic / Trevino, Elizabeth	4-week checkout	On Hold Shelf
Downtown Kids Books 4-week checkout	Y Fiction / Treviño, Elizabeth	4-week checkout	Due 05-01-2024

Reprinted by Farrar, Straus & Giroux in 1991.
Youth level.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Summary / Annotation
Table of Contents
Fiction Profile
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Girl with a Pearl Earring for Kids submitted by Sara W on July 4, 2011, 8:02am It's clear from the slightly stilted language and slow pace that this Newbery Medal-winning book is from the 1950s, but I've always still found it to be an enjoyable read. I first read this book when I was a kid, probably from back when I was going to read all the Newbery Medalists, until I found out how incredibly boring some of them were.

I suppose that part of what I find appealing about I, Juan de Pareja is how the book casually educates the reader on life at the Spanish court of King Philip IV. It was definitely the first time I'd encountered the Hapsburg line and have gone through the rest of my life with the author's description of their heavy jawed features in my mind.

The descriptions of the painting process and Velazquez' own approach to his art are some of favorite parts. Velazquez' comments about how the eye mixes color and the painter must unmix them, or how to paint just what you see and avoid the temptation to beautify, are simple and understandable to a young reader but as an adult I appreciate the examples the painter uses to teach these lessons.

Juan is also a slave, and while there are some violent moments, especially in his youth, for the most part, Juan is dedicated to Velazquez and his family. The ending brings satisfying closure to what is a simplified and idealized master/slave relationship.

Probably what I liked best about reading this as a child was discovering real Velazquez and Murillo works in museums. I already knew about these guys, and here they were at a museum! Awesome! I still get excited about that. I love that a kid's book made me a lifelong fan of a 15th century Baroque portraitist.

Great book submitted by abigailmurphy on August 15, 2019, 1:52pm This book is a pretty easy read. I really like it!