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Jun 18, 2008

Emily rated it:

I enjoy books about real people from long ago, though there is often not enough info to create a biography. This book is from a perspective of a black slave of Diego Velazquez. While Velazquez' paintings are not as luminescent as those I remember seeing while reading "Girl With a Pearl Earring" about Vermeer, I thought the characters created were admirable and worth learning about. Because they were both historical fiction from the perspective of the servant of famous painters, I coul More...

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Jan 15, 2012

Kris rated it:

When the great Velázquez was painting his masterpieces at the Spanish court in the seventeenth century, his colors were expertly mixed and his canvases carefully prepared by his slave, Juan de Pareja. This is the story of Juan and how a slave boy becomes friend, artist and companion through his relationship with Velazquez one of the world's famous painters.
Through Juan’s eyes the reader sees Velázquez’s delightful family, his working habits and the character of the man, his relat More...

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Dec 22, 2011

Patrice rated it:

I could start many reviews of some of the best books I've read with, "I found this book at my favorite bookstore for a quarter."

This is a historic fiction young adult novel set in Spain primarily, but that also visits Italy.

Juan is a young slave in a noble Spanish family during the 17th century. It didn't necessarily seem like the best premise for a book, but Juan becomes the property of Diego Velázquez and begins to work in his studio. This book was written in 196 More...

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Jul 22, 2011

Jill rated it:

I liked this book, and when I researched a few of the paintings that are described I liked it even more. What an interesting take on a life story. Partly true, partly imagined and yet plausible.

"In this I was prophetic, or intuitive; call it what you will, I have often had these flashes of news in advance of their happening."

"I do not remember much more of that long time away from Spain. Most of the Italian towns have blurred together and become one in my memo More...

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Jul 04, 2011

Sara rated it:

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 K More...

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Dec 14, 2010

Crystal rated it:

I gave this book 5 stars for several reasons. The first of which probably has more to do with my personal tastes, I have studied art history throughout high school and college, and am fascinated by the subject. The next reason is that there was never a dull moment. The book kept me wanting to read, which is always a sign of a good book. The story was very touching, and I found myself relating to and sympathizing with the main character on several levels. The character development was astoun More...

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Feb 20, 2010

Caitie rated it:

First of all, the cover of my edition of this book is much cooler.

This is the story of Juan de Pareja, a slave to Velazquez. It's based on a true story, with many liberties taken by the author. This is the source of the only thing that kind of bothered me about this book. In real life, it was suggested that Juan and Velazquez were pretty good friends with mutual respect. Fine.

However, I felt like sometimes the author was _really_ trying to make us love both Juan and Velaz More...

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Sep 26, 2011

MizLaT rated it:

"The first half of the seventeenth century was brilliant with names that still shine with the luster of courage, art, science, and glory...Rubens and Van Dyke were painting in the Low Countries: Galileo, Newton, and Harvey were contributing scientific knowledge that would turn conceptions of the material world into new channels.." (from Elizabeth Borton de Trevino's forward)

So along comes Juan de Pareja, a humble, sometimes mistreated slave who changes masters and cities of More...

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May 04, 2011

Justine rated it:

this book got better as it went along. it wasn't too bad.

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Jan 31, 2012

Debbie rated it:

I love historical fiction and this was a good story about a slave in Spain who ends up with a famous painter. The famous painter paints his portrait (which is truly stunning) and the slave is freed and ends up being a fairly famous painter in his own right. It's sort of like the Girl with the Pearl earring in that the story is based on a painter who's work is well known but not much is known about their personal life. This particular book seemed to go into some really great detail and then sk More...

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Jul 24, 2009

Debbie (Readerbuzz) rated it:

Juan de Pareja was a real-life slave of Diego Velazquez, the famous Spanish painter of the 17th century. At that time, it was illegal for slaves to paint. Secretly, however, Juan watches Velazquez and experiments with his techniques, painting. Juan is able, in time, to become free and to marry and to set his wife free as well.

Slavery, freedom, truth in art---these are the great themes of this book.

“I thought Art should be Beauty,” he (an apprentice to Velazquez) muttered. More...

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Feb 20, 2011

Krys rated it:

I've had I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino sitting on my shelf at work for years. I decided this year I was going to read a Newbery a month. Finally, I have an excuse for this one beyond "Oh, it's in my section... I should read that." de Trevino won the 1966 Newbery Medal for this, and it's quite good... not perfect, but a pretty good book.

For the record this is a very quiet book. It builds up slowly though it's under 200 pages long. It details the life of a More...

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Nov 20, 2011

Corinne rated it:

I wish I could have given this a three and a half star rating...I found it to be a valuable book in the sense that I learned a lot about Spain, Velazquez, and art in this period (it is historical fiction). It is about a slave, Juan, who assists the painter Don Diego de Velazquez and about his own aspirations to paint. Both are real heroes-- kind, loyal, compassionate.

BUT I did find the pace slow and found it to be a little boring. We listened to this on audiobook and I've wondered More...

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Aug 31, 2009

Badiss rated it:

The protagonist of this book is Juan, a slave of a rich painter Diego Velazquez. Juan's job is to help Diego prepare for painting by getting the paint ready, and stretching canvases. Juan thinks of himself as an artist too, he learned to paint bu watching Diego. Painting is forbidden to slaves, but Juan still tells his secret about loving to paint.

This book was great! I would recommend this book to readers who want to enjoy a book with an older time period. Even though this boo More...

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May 12, 2011

Kate rated it:

It's another Newbery! I picked this one up at the D.I. for 25 cents, and we'll see if it's worth keeping for my classroom library. I was going to read another book I'd picked up at the D.I. (. . .And Now, Miguel), but the reviews on this site for that book were so bad that I thought I'd give this one a try. It's got some good reviews! I'll see if I can contribute to them.

I LOVED this book!!! What a deeply touching work about the relationship between a 17th century slave and More...

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Dec 26, 2010

Dreamergirl99 rated it:

This book by Elizabeth Borton De Trevino inspired me a whole lot! I was really pleasently surprised with all of it's events (and later when I actually found out the story was true I got really interested in the time period). I first bought it only because it was a Newberry Medal but it sure got me thinking and I found myself symphatising the boy hunderds of times. The beginning was a little sad but the story was very touching. It's a special book that you have to read! I would recommend. Elizabe More...

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Aug 18, 2009

Josette rated it:

I'm sure that part of the reason I loved this book so much was that I got to share it with the whole family. I started reading it aloud on our recent trip to Mexico, then finished after we returned. The writing is beautiful and the subject was very interesting. The slave, Juan de Pareja, and his master, the Spanish painter Diego Velasquez, were real people, though little is actually known about them. It has a beautiful near ending, during which Kenyon and I were both weeping and the end itse More...

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Jan 16, 2011

Wendy rated it:

I remember reading this book in my youth and really liking it. It is historical fiction about the life of the painter Velazquez. There is a scene where Velazquez critiques the work of some of his apprentices that has stayed vivid in my memory all these years. When I saw a copy of this on the thrift store shelf, I snapped it up. The art historian in me enjoyed the discussion of Velazquez and his work. It really made me want to brush up on his painting, which I have always enjoyed. However, everyt More...

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Oct 22, 2011

Dreamergirl rated it:

I have so many reasons why this book is one of my favorites but let's start from the beginning. First, I have always been fascinated by history and when I bought this book I knew I'd like it far before I even actually started reading it. Second, nobody tells historical nonfiction and puts it in a novel like Trevino, making it far much more interesting than any fictional novel ever did. Third, as I was reading this book I didn't know what to think about first- the unbelievably good description an More...

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Sep 12, 2011

Haley rated it:

I read this so quickly that I didn't even bother to put it on the "currently reading" shelf. It's a quick read, of course, and I finished it in one sitting of about 2 hours.

I really enjoyed it. I've always loved historical fiction, and this one was very sweet. I love it when books leave you feeling happy at the end, and this one certainly did. I definitely recommend it.

I also appreciate when the author puts a note at the end telling readers what was really true and

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Mar 04, 2011

Lizette rated it:

This book is still a favorite of mine from my childhood. It is the reason why I came to love historical fiction. The book shows why slavery was an accepted part of life and also why it was wrong. The main character, Juanico, with his quiet but yet strong character, narrates his story with such a beautiful pain. He allows you to experience the cruel injustice of slavery and his struggle to paint which truly inspires the reader.

Still love this book. Why aren't more kids reading this bo

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Oct 02, 2011

Jonathan rated it:

A thoroughly enjoyable read about the life of Juan de Pareja, the long time slave (who was eventually freed) of master painter Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez. Based on true events in the lives of both men, the author weaves a compelling story of friendship, loyalty, heartache, freedom and redemption. I was initially introduced to this book through my 8th grade son's required reading list. I would recommend Juan de Pareja for both students and parents alike.

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Aug 02, 2011

Peggy rated it:

Juan de Pareja was born a slave in 17th century Spain. When his mistress died, he was sent with the rest of her goods to her nephew, the painter Diego Velasquez. Despite their differences in station, the two men become friends, and eventually Juan becomes an artist in his own right, despite it being illegal to teach a slave any of the arts. Very interesting story, with a lot of detail about life in Spain and Italy during that time.

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Feb 08, 2011

Megan rated it:

Seriously, why can we not do half stars? 3.5. An interesting read with some great characters. I can't say it was one of those 'suck you in so that you can't put it down' books, but it wasn't boring. I appreciate that the author doesn't beat you over the head with the racism aspect--she simply includes it as a (true) part of the society and lets you make your own judgments. From what I've read, that's rare restraint...

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Sep 27, 2011

Melanie rated it:

This may have been my first introduction to art history. I fell in love with everything about it. I just really loved that everyone has a story, that the people who made all those old paintings were real. They loved other people, had friendships and heartbreak. And when I went to the Met and saw the painting of Juan de Pareja, I was just so happy. Anyway, great book.

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Dec 12, 2009

Janis rated it:

Juan de Pareja was a slave in the household of the painter Velazquez and later in life became an artist himself. This story, told in his voice, is fascinating, has a wonderful tone and pace, and subtlely offers young readers information and insights into the narrator's time and place. I learned so much but never felt removed from the story. One of my favorite Newberys (1966).

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Dec 03, 2008

Banana rated it:

I read this book to keep up on my Spanish. It is a children's book, so I understood most of the words in it. It is historic fiction, based on actual people who lived in Spain hundreds of years ago. I loved reading about the history and culture of that time.

Written in English, it was translated into Spanish and I read the translated version.

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Mar 30, 2010

Meredith rated it:

Some highschool pre-reading for Violet...going well so far, I like it!

This was a very good book. Very easy reading and a reasonably steady pace in terms of storyline. I won't spoil the ending as it is joyful and sad at the same time. Would be excellent for further study in art appreciation of the time and especially of Velazquez and Burillo. A good read for any high schooler or mature middle schooler.

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Feb 07, 2012

Melinda rated it:

This book gave real insight into the life of a servant/slave; the protocol of behavior, the dependence on the master for food, shelter and clothing, and the improbability of freedom. I liked learning more about the life of the masterful painter, Valazquez, and how a choice relationship developed between him and Juan de Pareja.

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Apr 14, 2011

Yailyn rated it:

I had to read this for one of my advanced classes in school, let me tell you there are some whiners in my class stating it was HORRIBLE. I mean it wasn't the worst book ever, it got better as it went along. Its about this slave that has a love for art. Along the way Juan, the slave learns many art techniques and new ways of life along with his master's family. If you like historical fiction and the renaissance art, this book might interest you. This book is a true story too !

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