John Paul II: The Journey of a Saint

I didn't know it was a children's book, but as a children's book, it is good. I'll probably donate it to my library.

Incredible book, great gift, a lot of fun especially for boys (but for everyone), and both morally uplifting but also a lesson in history.

The pages were out of order.

Wonderful gift for my nephew on his Confirmation Day!

John Paul II: The Journey of a Saint is another exceptional graphic novel illustrated by Dominique Bar. You might recognize the name, as he illustrated Saint Bernadette: The Miracle of Lourdes and Saint Joan of Arc: Quest for Peace. This graphic novel actually begins with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. In the following year, Karol Wojtyla is born. We then get a glimpse of what looks like a typical childhood - a boy who plays sports, loves adventures, and goes to school. Tragedy soon strikes though when 9-year old Karol's mother dies at the young age of 45. We then see Karol growing up in Poland and having to deal with World War II and Communist Russia.About halfway through the graphic novel, the papal election occurs and Karol becomes Pope John Paul II. We then get to see aspects of his papacy that made him so popular, including his many trips to other countries, World Youth Day, the multiple saints he canonized, and just his love of people. We see a lighter side of the Pope who still goes skiing with friends, and we see a near tragedy in an assassination attempt. Most importantly though, we see Jesus in everything that John Paul II said, did, and lived. Apart from the compelling biography, the illustrations were astounding! Dominique Bar did a magnificent job aging Pope John Paul II. Toward the end of this graphic novel, you could see the pain on the pages. It was like re-living his last days again.I don't have enough good things to say about this book. As a fan of graphic novels, I found myself reading it and re-reading it. I was so absorbed I did not want to put it down. This book would make a perfect gift for teens or children who barely remember or never got to know who Pope John Paul II was. He is a prime example of a recent man who became a saint and an excellent role model. Although this book is designed for children, I see an audience for it with young adults as well, especially those who grew up with Pope John Paul II as the only pope they knew. It's also hardcover, so you know it will last for years to come! 5 stars!

My kids really love this! A great transition book between children's and chapter books... language is advanced but there's still so many pictures! (Even with explaining, lots about the war and politics is surely going over my kids heads at ages 5 and 6 but they still love it and ask for me to read it to them! FYI there is gun/wartime imagery.) You can't help but admire this man, reading this book. His life is fascinating and I had no idea about any of it before this (so yes, I'm enjoying it too, reading it to the kids :))