The Story of Katie Luther: The Nun Who Escaped to True Freedom

by Gretchen Ronnevik, T. Lively Fluharty (illustrator)

Children’s Book Illuminates Katie Luther’s Life and Her Journey to Find Lasting Freedom 

Strong-willed, courageous, and faithful—Katharina Von Bora, later known as Katie Luther, was a nun striving for perfection and favor from God. But after hearing the ideas of the Reformation circulating around Europe, she boldly stepped into true freedom given through Jesus Christ. 

This short and lively biography takes middle-grade readers on a journey through Katie Luther’s life, highlighting her difficult escape from the convent, her unique and rewarding marriage to Martin Luther, and her experiences with family, love, and loss. The Story of Katie Luther emphasizes the difference between legalism and good works done in freedom which demonstrates gospel power and produces love for one another. 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 Katie Luther—her escape from the convent, her marriage to Martin Luther, and her freedom through Christ 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: Christian

160 pages, Paperback

Published December 17, 2024

Reviews

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

I am grateful for the new series by Crossway Books, Lives of Faith and Grace. The most recent installment by Gretchen Ronnevik is The Story of Katie Luther: The Nun Who Escaped to True Freedom. This series is designed for middle grade readers which introduces them to key figures in church history.

Martin Luther’s wife, Katie was a fascinating woman. She may be one of the most interesting figures in all of church history. Ronnevik alerts young readers to all the important details of Katie’s life, including her upbringing, education, marriage to Luther, and the pain she endured after his death. The author is sensitive to share pertinent details that surround the events of the Protestant Reformation, highlighting the idolatry of Rome, and the doctrinal passion and purity of the Reformers.

I commend this little book to young readers but also recommend that adults join the journey as well. I can’t think of a better way to introduce children to church history!

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

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

“She didn't have to try to be extra holy or earn God's favor. Because of salvation by faith alone, she was free to just be. She was free from the expectations others had of her. She was free from people-pleasing and earning her way to love. She was fully loved on account of Christ alone. So she devoted her life to love others the way Christ loved her.”

Before picking up this book, I had no idea who Katie Luther was or the great impact she had. Even though she lived a relatively ordinary life, her story of finding true freedom in Christ and then leveraging that freedom to serve her family and her community is deeply impactful. I loved reading about her journey from the compulsive religion of the convent, to the soul-sustaining relationship with Christ she developed. A relationship that would carry her through many deep valleys as she looked to Him as her strength.

Read in close succession to the other title in this series (Martin Luther: The Monk Who Changed the World), middle-grade readers get a comprehensive overview of the relationship, romance, and partnership between Martin & Katie. Their marriage is a beautiful picture of the Gospel and what it looks like for two people to give of themselves entirely to each other, to others, and to the glory of God. There is some heavier content (miscarriage, infant death, family abandonment) to be aware of for the intended age of 8-13 year-olds.

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 Katie'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]

Wonderful debut in a new series by Crossways and for the author writing a biography. Highly recommend this middle grades biography. Now to read the one about Martin Luther.

[Michelle Ule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intended for middle schoolers, this is the clear story of Katie Luther--raised in a nunnery and freed by grace through the teachings of Martin Luther.

Ronnevik gives clear explanations for any unusual terms and tells Katie's story well.

I've read numerous books about Mrs. Martin Luther and I enjoyed this one.

[Gailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Because of salvation by faith alone, she was free to just be. She was free from the expectations others had of her. She was free from people-pleasing and earning her way to love. She was fully loved on account of Christ alone. So she devoted her life to love others the way Christ loved her."

[Diane Yliniemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the short and accessible biographies written for middle-grade students. Many of them have a large charicature head on the cover which we fondly call the ”Bobble Head” books. Crossway has a new series called ”Lives of Faith and Grace”. It focuses on Christian men and women from history. Although the covers have a large portrait on the cover they tend to be more like a beautiful painting. I recently read one of the first in the series about Katie Luther. I loved it!

The story of Katie's life is so removed from a modern life. The author did a good job of explaining the religion, customs, and culture of the day. The theology that Katie Luther lived by was clearly explaIned. This book was not easy breezy and light. There was adventure, emotion, slice of life scenes, theology, sidebars, and illustrations. You will find chapter by chapter questions, and a timeline. Students would be able use this book for reports.

I was moved by this biography and the faith journey that Katie Luther had. She was very independent and knew her own mind during a time when women had very few rights.

Even though this book could be used for academics, it is also an enjoyable read. I have read some historical fiction based on her life and so this book intrigued me. I need to read more. In fact, I ordered the companion ”Martin Luther” and the ”Katie Luther: a graphic novel” listed at the end of the book.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gretchen does a beautiful job telling Katie Luther’s story. She shows how Katie is a living illustration of Martin Luther’s doctrine of Christian freedom. This is a companion volume to my ‘The Story of Martin Luther.’ Gretchen did an excellent job with the timeline in the back of her book. I learned a lot reading it.

[Rachel Grieshaber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this YA biography on Katie Luther. It gave a very good overview of her life and context of the reformation that I enjoyed and worked from. Possibly because it was YA, it was more black and white about struggles and her interactions with other people than I would have preferred. However I would love my kids to read this and learn about a significant person from our church history who was imperfect but trusted in God’s Grace (no hero worship like the martyr books I grew up with).

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t realize this was a teen book when I ordered it, was only excited to see a simple biography on Katherine alone! Was a quick, easy read because of the reading level but full of solid information and quotes about Martin and Katie’s lives. The additions of definitions and background of 1500’s life was helpful and I wish I could have read this as a 14 year old girl!! Highly recommend for any teens in your lives. There’s also one in Martin I May want to read now too.

[Ryanne Molinari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well done. I enjoyed it and am sure middle grade readers will find it both interesting and informative. The pronunciation guides were helpful, but I do think there needed to be more of those, especially in a book for young readers, but that’s a very minor critique.

Questions for review at the end help ensure careful reading. The illustrations are also beautiful.

(I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My full review can be found on my blog, RyanneMolinari.com)

[Josiah Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good basic overview of Katie Luther’s life. As “the mother of the Reformation,” she was a faithful woman of God and homemaker managing a house of tens of people, gardens, livestock, and a hospital freeing up Martin Luther to have the impact that he did. She was also doctrinally sharp and had a warm heart toward the Lord and toward suffering people. This book makes me want to read a more exhaustive biography of Katie Luther.

[Meghan Ranville · Rating 5 out of 5]

The character development in this book was very well done. The way Katie’s spicy personality and selflessness are portrayed will make you wish you knew her. This is a fun and easy read for kids and grown ups.

[Brittany Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and interesting look at Katie Luther's life. It's a middle grade book that I will probably try to read to my kids in a few years, but I also just enjoyed it for myself. She was a pretty amazing woman!

[sam cook]

Another family read aloud! I agree with Josiah’s review - I would love to read a more exhaustive biography on Katie Luther. There’s a lot to learn from her in the area of homemaking!!

[Cory McArtor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little biography for young readers.

[Donna Yliniemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have middle-grade students in your home or school, this is a quick read for them or anyone else to get a quick synopsis of Katie Luther's life. She might have been from the middle ages but she was a woman who was ahead of her times. It is a biography but tugged at my heart regarding my faith and how God loves me unconditionally. Highly recommended and will continue with the series.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very good. The (Martin) Luther biography had an underlying theme of justification by faith alone in Christ alone. The theme here was freedom in Christ and doing good works as an outgrowth of that freedom. (And how complementarianism, well understood and practiced, is not restrictive but is in fact very freeing for both husband and wife.)

[Timothy Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great accessible biography of Katie Luther that keeps the gospel of Jesus Christ in the center of the book. Illustration and side panels that explain cultural, biographical, or theological ideas and terms were very helpful. Additionally, it was easy to read. The book kept my attention. This book hits it's target audience dead on. Well done.

[Lindsey Schubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic biography we just finished as a read aloud with the kids. Loved my kids getting to hear about a woman who was strong-willed, independent, and opinionated, all while honoring God and humbling serving others.

[Natalie Knopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sister Katie to Mrs. Katie Luther!!!! Literally pop off runaway nun to then marry an OG of the reformation. & I would’ve ran away too!

[HJ Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love reading these little bios with my kids. Informative and engaging

[Jenny Marcelene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to learn about her life story.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle grade biography on the life of Katie Luther. Lots of information I had never heard before about the life of Martin Luther’s wife, with a great message of salvation through grace.