Books in Childhood of World Figures series

The man we remember simply as Gandhi was born Mohandas Gandhi in India in 1869. From an early age he was made keenly aware of the rigid Hindu caste system of his country, and was heavily influenced by his mother's ability to fast as a way to control her urges. Mohandas was married at the age of thirteen and continued his education, though he struggled as a student. He also struggled to find himself and to keep his moral center intact. At college in London, and then later at work in South Africa and India, Gandhi was appalled at the abject poverty he discovered and by the widespread denial of civil liberties and political rights he encountered. He ultimately dedicated his life to the struggle for fundamental human rights for all Indians. Read all about the fascinating early years and eventual accomplishments of this inspiring leader.

Leonardo Da Vinci is best known as the Renaissance painter who created the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. he also made great contributions as a sculptor, architect, engineer. and scientist. But Leonardo wasn't always famous. Leonardo grew up in Vinci, a small town in Italy, and when he was only a few years old he was separated from his mother and sent to live with his grandparents and uncle Francesco. Although Leonardo only receiced a formal education for a few years, Francesco taught Leonardo about nature. Leonardo loved to sketch the world around him. When he was a teenager, Leonardo moved to the city of Florence. It was here that his artistic talent was recognized and he became and apprentice to a famous artist. Leonardo worked hard at his trade and advanced quickly, but he wasn't interested in only art. To fuel his curiosity, he also studied science, mathematics, engineering and philosophy. Read about the little boy from Vinci who became one of the most facscinating figures in world history.

In 1933, at the age of four, Anne Frank and her family fled from the Nazis in Germany and sought safe haven in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In 1940, when the Germans invaded the Netherlands, the Frank family once again feared for their lives. Like tens of thousands of Dutch Jews, the Franks went into hiding. They lived in several hidden rooms -- known as the "Secret Annex" -- above Mr. Frank's office building. It was there that Anne wrote her now-famous diary. The Franks lived in hiding for two years before they were discovered and sent to Auschwitz, the most well-known and feared concentration camp. Anne Frank gave a human face to the victims of the Holocaust and a courageous voice to all those who were silenced. Though Anne Frank only lived to the age of fifteen, her inspirational childhood is perhaps the best known in history.

Pope John Paul II was born Karol Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Poland. As a child Karol excelled in school -- especially in religion and literature. He was a star soccer player and also hiked and kayaked. But most of all Karol loved poetry and theater. Although Karol was liked and respected by his peers, his childhood was touched by tragedy. His mother passed away when he was only nine years old, and three years later his beloved older brother, Edmund, died from scarlet fever. Karol grew up in a time of great uncertainty for Poland. Although he was born into an independent Poland, he was a young man during the Nazi occupation of his homeland in World War II. When many Poles were anti-semitic, Karol had Jewish friends; when his country turned its back on religion, Karol studied in secret to become a priest. This fascinating biography details Karol's childhood and the events that led him to be named Pope John Paul II in 1978.

Marie Curie was a world-renowned scientist who made many important discoveries, as well as a great teacher and a mother, but her accomplishments didn't come easily. Born Maria Sklodovska in 1867, Marie grew up in Russia-occupied Poland where schools were not allowed to teach Polish history or language, and lab experiments were forbidden in science classes. When Marie was young, her mother and eldest sister both passed away. Marie was determined not to let hardships get in the way of her dreams. She went on to win two Nobel Prizes, one each in physics and chemistry, making her the first woman to win the award and first person ever honored with two of them. Read all about the clever young girl whose hard work lead to brilliant contributions in the field of science.

Julius Caesar was born in Rome in the year 100 b.c. to a well-known family that supposedly traced its ancestry to the Greek goddess Venus. Although Caesar grew up to be one of the world's most famous military and political leaders, he was raised in the Subura, a lower-class neighborhood of Rome. As a young man, Caesar was known for both his bravery in battle and his ability to speak at the Roman Forum. When Caesar left Rome to join the military service in Asia, he was awarded the corona civica -- an oak crown -- the highest honor given to a noncommander. At the Forum, Caesar's oratory skills and his enthusiasm for prosecuting corrupt generals furthered his reputation. Read about the boy from Rome who transformed the Roman republic into a Mediterranean empire.

Diana Spencer grew up to be the princess of Wales. But when she was a little girl, she did not dream she would become a princess. When she was still quite young, her older sisters went off to boarding school and her parents decided to live apart. This was very difficult for sensitive Diana, and her self-esteem began to suffer. Things were not helped when she began feeling inferior to not only an accomplished older sister, but also her clever younger brother. Diana was a good athlete and was gifted at connecting with other people. Still, she struggled to find her place in the world. Diana thought marrying the prince of Wales would make everything okay in her life. Joining the royal family did bring her some happiness, but in other ways it brought her tremendous pain. Read about the little girl who struggled to find herself and became one of the most famous and beloved women in history.

Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910, Mother Teresa grew up in a small war-torn town in Macedonia. The youngest of three children, Mother Teresa was called Gonxha, which means "flower bud," by her family because of her cheerful disposition. Mother Teresa's family were devoted Catholics who prayed every evening and went to church almost every day. By the time she was twelve years old, Mother Teresa knew she wanted to devote her life to helping the sick and poor. Mother Teresa is considered one of the world's greatest humanitarians. She was the recipient of the United States Medal of Honor and the Nobel Peace Prize, and was beatified by Pope John Paul II. This fascinating biography details Mother Teresa's childhood and proves that one person can make a difference in the world with love and faith.

CHILDHOOD OF WORLD FIGURES Christopher Columbus was born in Italy in 1451. His father was a weaver, but like most young men living near a seaport, Columbus looked to the sea to find his calling. In 1477, after serving as a messenger and sailor on many ships, Columbus settled in Portugal. It was there he first tried to gain support for his dream of reaching Asia by sailing west. It wasn't until nearly fifteen years later that Columbus gained support from Spain and set out on the momentous expedition that landed him in the Americas in 1492. Christopher Columbus is considered one of the world's most famous explorers. This fascinating biography details Columbus's childhood, which shaped his adventurous spirit.