Reviews

Martin de Porres: The Rose in the Desert by Gary D. Schmidt, David Díaz

roseleaf24's review against another edition

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4.0

Beautifully told and illustrated story about a man whose humility and charity deserve to be honored.

alboyer6's review against another edition

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4.0

Gary Schmidt has written and David Diaz has painted another beautiful book. It is the story of St. Martin de Porres (the first black saint in the Americas.) I really enjoyed the illustrations with the fantastic color pallet.

beths0103's review against another edition

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5.0

Simple, yet beautiful story-telling from Schmidt about the first black saint from the Americas. David Diaz's stunning illustrations are almost stained-glass-like with their bold, black outlines and the bright colors.

peachykeenebooks's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

kwbat12's review against another edition

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4.0

Even being a non-religious person, I really enjoyed this biography of the unexpected priest. It was pleasant and a nice little read.

mslibrarynerd's review against another edition

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5.0

This is a beautifully illustrated book of the life of St. Martin of Porres, the first black Saint, who spent his life starting as a poor fatherless child in the barrios and eventually became a monk. During his life he learned to heal, and became devoted to helping the poor and sick, humans as well as animals. The illustrations are rich, jewel toned pastels, giving the story a magical quality.

libraryrobin's review against another edition

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4.0

An excellent picture biography of the mixed-race man who became the first black saint in the Americas. Focusing on his works of charity, his patience and compassion, Gary D. Schmidt has done an admirable job of bringing the saint to life in a manner accessible to young readers. The illustrations of David Diaz are beautiful yet understated, perfectly mirroring the life of Martin de Porres.

nerfherder86's review against another edition

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4.0

very interesting story of the poor boy living in Lima Peru, 1579-1639, who became a monk and a healer to both people and animals. He was of mixed race, became a saint in 1962, the first black saint from the Americas, the patron saint of brotherhood and of animal shelters, among other aspects. Has fictionalized dialogue with no sources or bibliography, but as a picture book it is marvelous. The illustrations are gorgeous.

toad_maiden's review against another edition

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3.0

A peaceful story, accompanied by memorable illustrations. I found some of the language used occasionally to be problematic, but not strongly so.

katiekeeler's review against another edition

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4.0

Schmidt, G. D., & Diaz, D. (2012). Martín de Porres: The rose in the desert. Boston: Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Summary: Martin was not accepted well, even from his birth. But he made his mind up to do something significant in this world. He did that by caring for the unloved and the unaccepted. One person at a time, he made a beautiful stamp on this world.

Awards:
America's Award for Children's and YA Literature - Honor '13
Children's Books Of The Year 2013 - Ages 5 To 9
Pura Belpre Illustrator Award Winner 2013

Curriculum connection: In primary grades, students could read this selection, in addition to others, as a part of a study of the world's most influential, self-less people who ever lived.

Diversity: Martin de Porres was born in Peru, and much of his influential work was set in South and Central America.

Genre: Biography

Age: Primary grades