This short chapter book on the life of Pope John Paul II focuses on his childhood and upbringing in Poland. He had a difficult childhood, losing his mother when he was only a boy and his only brother and his father when he was only a young man. We see him draw closer to God during these troubles and eventually discover his vocation to the priesthood during the terrible days of World War II. The story also decribes some of the happier and even humorous moments of his childhood and children will see that in many ways he was an "ordinary" boy destined for unordinary things. Mrs. Mohan is not a great writer, but those weaknesses are compensated for by the greatness of "the story" itself. The text is illustrated with pen and ink drawings (again, somewhat on the mediocre side). The appendix includes a timeline of the Holy Father's life, some quotations by and about the Pope, a somewhat complex map of Poland, a glossary and an index. There is a list entitled "Further Reading". Some of these titles, while perhaps having some informational value in researching a book on the Pope, should not be considered recommended reading, especially for children. (One of the titles was written by Andrew Greeley who might readily be described as a pseudo-Catholic). Also, since the writing of this book there are more good comprehensive resources available about the Holy Father's life, such as Witness to Hope by George Wiegel.