The Story of Martin Luther: The Monk Who Changed the World

by Jared Kennedy, T. Lively Fluharty (illustrator)

Children’s Book Illuminates the Life of Martin Luther, One of Church History’s Most Important Figures

A monk, priest, and professor—Martin Luther was committed to a life of poverty and self-sacrifice. But despite all his good deeds, he still felt a deep unrest within his soul. It was only when he immersed himself in God’s word that he found peace through Jesus Christ and justification by faith alone.

This short and lively biography takes middle-grade readers on an exciting journey through Luther’s life, highlighting how his writings transformed the church and eventually the world. The Story of Martin Luther emphasizes the importance of Scripture and the fundamental doctrine that the young monk discovered in Paul’s letters. Featuring illustrations, maps, timelines, bonus sidebars, and study questions, this addition to the Lives of Faith and Grace series engages kids ages 8–14 in the drama of history, showing how God worked in the past through ordinary people like them.

Lively  Explores the life of Martin Luther—a monk, priest, and professor who helped the church to clarify the doctrine of justification Written for Kids Ages 8–14: This short format includes illustrations, maps, timelines, and bonus sidebars to help young readers to stay engaged Part of the Lives of Faith and Grace  Engages kids with the real-life stories of Christian men and women from history

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle Grade

152 pages, Paperback

Published December 17, 2024

About the author

Jared Kennedy (MDiv, ThM) serves as managing editor for books and curriculum at The Gospel Coalition. He is also co-founder and principal of Gospel-Centered Family, a ministry that helps churches and families share Jesus with the next generation. He is also the author of resources for children and adults, including 'The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible' and 'Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission.' You can follow him on X @jaredskennedy. He, his wife Megan, and their three daughters live in Louisville, Kentucky.

Reviews

[Jared]

This was fun to write!

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the sixteenth century, a figure emerged who would change western Europe and proceed to impact the rest of the world. Jered Kennedy introduces this man in his book, The Story of Martin Luther: The Monk Who Changed the World.

Kennedy’s book is designed for older children and teenagers but contains enough information to keep church history buffs on their toes. Beautiful artwork is found throughout that help to engage the mind and imagination.

The book begins with Luther’s famous encounter with God in a violent storm, where he vows to enter the priesthood. The author chronicles Luther’s time in the monastery, pilgrimage to Rome and his subsequent frustration with the indulgence system and priests who have a zeal for God but not according to knowledge. He posted his well-known 95 theses on the castle door at Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, which helped propel his ideas in Europe and beyond.

Luther’s battle leads him to the Bible where he encounters the doctrine of justification by faith alone. He stands before the highest officials of the Roman Catholic Church at Worms in 1521 where he is eventually captured by friends of Frederick the Wise and led securely to the Wartburg Castle. He translates the Greek New Testament into the common language of the German people in less than ten months. The author leads readers on a fascinating journey from Wartburg to Luther’s death in 1546.

The Story of Martin Luther is a gripping tale of a man who God used to advance his kingdom purposes. I commend Kennedy’s book to young and old alike.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

[Gailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Martin battled enemies who wanted him dead, endured a sick and failing body, and fought his own sinful anger until his dying day. He was a broken man who desperately needed God's grace, and he knew it."

[Tim Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great coverage of Martin Luther's life for older children and tweens. Learned a few tidbits myself. Jared Kennedy is an engaging author!

[Trevor Wheeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need more Church History books for kids! This book sets the standard. Not only does Kennedy describe the highlights of Luther in a way that keeps the readers attention, but he takes time to describe some of the important and unique features of Luther’s doctrine and mentions many other figures who were contemporaries to Luther. Each chapter featured a “sidebar” where Kennedy expounds upon a specific aspect of Luther. These were really helpful and I felt like would be super useful for any child who might be reading about Catholicism or the reformation for the first time. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series as they continue to release.

(Book provided to me by Crossway for review, but these thoughts are my own.)

[Natalie Knopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was created for 8-13 year old readers but as a 22 year old I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend this to a friend. As someone who is just now exploring the history of the church, this book is a blessing in teaching people about of the most prominent figures during the reformation. I learned a lot from this book. I’m thankful for it!

“Martin Luther- in both his hymns and his catechism- deeply believed: The highest theology is the simplest. We must become like children to grasp it.”

[Joshua Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible read. I learned so much about Luther that I didn’t pick up in the more “adult” bios. Very well written! I look forward to sharing this one with my son when he is older! Catered towards older elementary and middle schoolers.. but I highly recommend for all ages!

Crux sola est nostra theologia (The cross alone is our theology)

[sam cook]

Josiah read this out loud to me & Ezekiel, as it’s meant for younger readers and it was a great summary of Luther’s life.

[Blessing Bloodworth (naptimereaders) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Martin knew he could never earn God's grace.
Salvation is not won through fasting, indulgences, or daily prayers. This is what Martin Luther had discovered from the Bible and taught again to the world. God sent his only Son. Christ has overcome the world. All he asks of us is that we believe.”

As someone who enjoys broadening my knowledge of history and it's impact on our understanding of faith and religion, I loved this book! It's a great introduction to the life of Martin Luther for ages 8-13, but I learned so much as an adult. It focuses on the overall path of his life and career and doesn't zoom in deep on the specifics of his beliefs or the doctrines he fights for. It does address them briefly, allowing for individuals readers or families to take their research further if desired. I feel I now have a better understanding of the dichotomy between what Luther believed and advocated for and what the Roman Catholic Church required at the time - and why his fight made such a difference for Christians today!

The chapters are short and the style of writing is straightforward, making this an accessible biography for a variety of ages. The sidebar explanations of terminology, historical context, and religious significance allows the reader to build an fuller understanding. Occasional sketch illustrations throughout the pages are pleasant opportunities for visual connection.

Included in the back are Study Questions for each chapter, making this a wonderful resource for educational or church group contexts. I especially loved the timeline that integrated world events into the timeline of Luther's life.

Thank you to Crossway for a complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book as a companion to The Story of Katie Luther.

[HJ Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book for what it is! Read it aloud with the family, and we all enjoyed it. Engaging and historical.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the accompanying Katie Luther book so I wanted to read this one too. It’s middle grade and gives a nice overview of Luther’s life and theology.

[Ebeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging biography with interesting side notes of Martin Luther for middle grades. We read it with my 6th grade daughter’s book club, and I was surprised how many of the girls really enjoyed it since we usually read fiction or historical fiction.

[Lauren Grigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially purchased this book to read to my five-year-old but I stopped and just read it myself because I think it is better suited for preteens and up.

I found the book to be very interesting. A lot of times you will only hear good things about Martin Luther or bad things about him. I felt that this book did a good job of showing both sides. He did great things to reform the Church and bring it back to biblical truths. To point out the selling of indulgences as being very wrong and unbiblical was one of his greatest achievements, but this book also shows his very real struggles with sin and how that had repercussions. I appreciated the truthfulness there, even those we highly regard in the church and who have done great things are still sinners, as the Bible teaches, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

I also found it interesting to learn about his views on the Lord’s supper. It’s not what I thought they would be. I look forward to looking more into that.

[Hannah Barnhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well written and informative. It was great for our school read-aloud the week of Reformation Day. I’d highly recommend for adults and kids!

[Timothy Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible. It took the voluminous data about Martin Luther and condensed it into a helpful and approachable biography for middle-schoolers. There are numerous sidebars (apart from the narrative) that include maps, insights into Luther's use of the printing press, definitions of famous people/places/meetings, famous books by Luther, and many others.

I read the book out-loud and timed my reading of each chapter. I'm thinking about using this book when I teach 7th and 8th graders at my Lutheran School. The longest chapter took me 7 min. and 2 sec. to read.

It's a fair book, covers a lot of ground, it definitely touches the highlights. It's theologically fair to Luther's teaching.

The book also has pictures.

[Diane Yliniemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was a perfect overview of the reformation and biography of Martin Luther. The author did not shy away from explaining theology and scripture. I read Katie Luther in this series and it was also great. I recommend reading both books.

[Jonny Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great, concise biography of an important figure in the history of the church and the world, focusing on his theological disagreements with both the Catholic Church as well as other reformers.

[Elizabeth Mayberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've heard of Martin Luther, you have heard of Martin Luther. Even in public school I learned about the 97 Theses and, what I assumed, was his dramatic desire to resist the Catholic church and create Protestantism. We listened to this book on a road trip in the car with my whole family (Dad & Mom in our late 30's, 6-year-old, 5-year-old, and 3-year-old) and it was honestly enlightening and inspiring to us all! The story is written in such a way that many ages can hear, learn, and enjoy! I did not know most of the story and found it really interesting. All of us couldn't wait to start the book up again after a stop! I love the importance of the Word of God, reading scripture yourself/ knowing scripture, staying faithful to Truth, and the gift of family! I cannot wait to read the story of his wife!

PS: My 6-year-old is very into monks now and it has been fun to talk about them with her and enjoy more stories like The Ink Garden of Brother Theophane and Telemachus Part 1 & 2 in the Adventures in Odyssey!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this out loud to three of my children. They really enjoyed it. So did I! It covers a lot--Martin's early life, why he became a monk, his struggles as a monk, his growing disagreements with Rome, the theological and then political battles he had with Rome, his marriage and family life, and even his disputes regarding the sacraments--in ten or so short chapters. And permeating all of it was the central significance of justification by faith both in his life and in the gospel.

[Jenny Marcelene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Step into the story of Martin Luther and uncover how God used an ordinary monk to make a worldwide impact.