Readers may be familiar with images of an aging Mother Teresa helping sick and impoverished individuals in India. Some of these evocative black-and-white and color photographs are even featured in this entry in the “Odysseys in Peace” series. But who is the woman behind these pictures? In this accessible biography, Murray traces the life of this charitable nun. She begins with a brief look at the childhood of Mother Teresa (born Anjezë, or Agnes, Bojaxhiu) in present-day Macedonia and early influences that shaped her “calling” to be a missionary. After describing her assignment to teach in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), the author focuses on Mother Teresa’s “second calling” to establish a religious order dedicated to the city’s neediest inhabitants. While the book highlights Mother Teresa’s compassion, global influence, and such accolades as the Nobel Peace Prize, it also notes criticisms against the nun’s operations, including her relationships with controversial political figures and emphasis on suffering. A final chapter considers her legacy and path to becoming a Catholic saint. An inspirational yet balanced approach to this humanitarian.
–Angela Leeper, Booklist , 11/15/2019
Famous advocates of peace and nonviolence are presented in these titles. Preliminary information on their early lives is provided, but the primary focus is on their attempts to make things better for others. Nelson Mandela fought to end apartheid and the Dalai Lama attempted to compromise with China over Tibet. Views of critics are also included—for instance, Christopher Hitchens’s negative opinion of Mother Teresa. The narratives are moderately engaging, depending on the reader’s interest, and they are fairly comprehensive. While not overly exciting reads, these volumes are educational and will be very useful for reports. Titles should be selected as needed.
–Margaret Nunes, School Library Journal , 11/1/2019
