Lucretia Mott: A Guiding Light

Bryant brings the life of the great writer and Christian spiritual leader Thomas Merton to the fore in this biography for young adults. From Merton's nomadic childhood and partying college days to his eventual entry into the Gethsemani Abbey (in Kentucky) as a Trappist monk and notoriety as a poet and writer, the fascinating details here will keep readers enthralled. Merton appears all the more human as his struggles to discover and understand the Catholic faith and to accept the advantages and occasional disappointments of the monastic contemplative life. Young people will certainly relate as the adolescent Merton tries to tame his wild ways and find a greater purpose. Although this volume is full of information, Bryant quotes so heavily from other Merton biographies that her book often reads like a term paper. Some of her more personal insights emerge in the latter part of the text but are not enough to give this work an individual stamp. However, Bryant's introduction of this amazing man may well inspire older readers to explore Merton's poetry, his autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, his journals and other Merton biographies. Ages 12-14. (May)