(3) K-3 Illustrated by Annie Bowler. Self-named Peace Pilgrim began to spread her vision for "a golden age of peace, a world with no fighting between people or nations" after World War II. This compassionate biography follows her twenty-eight-year odyssey, walking cross-country seven times with only a few personal care items and maps--but no money. Along the way, she spoke to anyone who would listen and relied on the kindness of strangers for food and a place to sleep. Krull's text is as unhurried as Peace Pilgrim's journey and emphasizes her subject's tenacity. Bowler's reflective illustrations convey Peace Pilgrim's quiet power. An endnote adds more detail about Peace Pilgrim's life and legacy and includes a source list.

Reviewer: Kitty Flynn

(2) 4-6 Readers meet the German theologian and pastor who was executed for participating in a failed assassination attempt on Hitler. Hendrix deftly contrasts Bonhoeffer's and Hitler's biographical details against the larger World War II backdrop. The book effectively employs hand-lettered typeface, comic-panel layouts, spot art, vivid two-color illustrations, occasional maps, and striking political-cartoon-style editorial illustrations. The result is that this heavily textual book is also a highly visual one. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(3) YA English human boy Elliot uses his intelligence, staunch pacifism, and proclivity for subversive behavior to his advantage while attending school in the magical Borderlands. Readers follow Elliot from ages thirteen to seventeen--and through various sexual encounters--in this heartfelt coming-of-age story. At times hilarious, Brennan's latest fantasy abounds with delightful sarcasm, inverted tropes, hard truths, LGBTQ representation, and challenges to gender politics.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(3) K-3 Ordinary People Change the World series. Illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos. From childhood anecdotes ("I was shy... I spent most of my time with books") to the discrimination he faced to development of his Satyagraha ("Truth Force"), the scope of Gandhi's struggles and accomplishments is conveyed. There's some gentle moralizing, but it's well delivered via this biography series' child-friendly setup: a chatty first-person narrative and cartoon art with occasional comics-style frames. Photos are appended. Reading list, timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alice Ratterree. Emotional free verse describes Jane Addams's individualism, determination, and compassion. Slade relates Jane's personal sadness and joys, and how an empathetic spirit allowed her to open Hull House for needy immigrants, work tirelessly to end WWI, and win a Nobel Peace Prize, all despite harsh criticism. Ratterree's natural-palette watercolors capture the biography's energy and emotion. "More about Dangerous Jane" is appended. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Evan Turk. After young Arun Gandhi tosses a pencil nub away in rebellion, he comes to understand the ways in which he can "be the change you wish to see in the world." Turk's artwork is stunning in color and composition, providing visual clarity to heady concepts. From the creators of Grandfather Gandhi, another valuable title for showing the human side of the seminal figure that is Gandhi.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2016

(2) 4-6 In April 1943, the Gestapo arrested pacifist Lutheran minister Dietrich Bonhoeffer for attempting to assassinate Hitler. Alongside Bonhoeffer's religious calling and theological contributions, McCormick chillingly details Hitler's rise to power. When Bonhoeffer could not gather support from the religious community to fight Hitler, he decided to "sin boldly." Questions of moral authority drive the story; archival photographs supplement the text. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(4) K-3 Zoom In on Legendary Leaders series. These titles offer a superficial first glance at the lives of six influential leaders (all male), their accomplishments/impact on others, and their place in history. The historical photos, paintings, and drawings add depth to brief texts that align to Common Core Standards. Appended lists of quick stats and key dates may be helpful when writing reports. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Zoom In on Legendary Leaders titles: Abraham Lincoln, Barack Obama, Cesar Chavez, George Washington, Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Evan Turk. Mahatma Gandhi's grandson, Arun, who angers easily, feels he will never live up to the Gandhi name. Gandhi explains that he, too, feels anger but has learned to channel it for good. Unusual for its child-centered portrait of Gandhi, the graceful narrative is matched by vivid mixed-media illustrations, rendered in watercolor, paper collage, cotton fabric, yarn, gouache, pencil, tea, and tinfoil.

Reviewer: Kathleen T. Horning | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2014

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Giuliano Ferri. A grandfather tells his grandson about the 1930 Salt March undertaken by Gandhi and thousands of Indians, including the old man (as a boy) and his brother, in the fight for India's independence. The glowing watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations reflect the text's idealism, but the story is a good introduction to the event and Gandhi's work. An afterword provides more context. Reading list, websites.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) YA This slim account of the death of India's celebrated spiritual leader focuses on the political turmoil in India that ultimately led to his assassination. Forthright text and ample back matter provide an adequate but cursory introduction to Gandhi's life, death, and lasting influence. Interested readers may be inspired to seek out more in-depth biographies. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(4) YA Days of Decision series. These slim books provide solid analysis of pivotal events in world history and the decision-makers who affected them. Report writers and debaters will find useful and pertinent background information; readers are encouraged to consider questions and dilemmas faced by leaders and historians. The pages are overly busy with archival photos, captions, sidebars, maps, and other graphics. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Days of Decision titles: Gandhi and the Quit India Movement, Hitler and Kristallnacht, and Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) YA This somewhat updated edition examines the role and fate of the conscientious objector in the United States. Meltzer's sympathies lie with the COs, but he attempts to present all sides of a very complex issue. Illustrated with black-and-white photos, the book is a clear and fascinating account of an issue of ever-increasing importance. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 1985