Gospel-Centered Family is pleased to announce the release of a new children’s book from Crossway that illuminates the life of Martin Luther, one of church history’s most important figures.

The Story of Martin Luther: The Monk Who Changed the World by Jared Kennedy is a short and lively biography that takes middle-grade readers on an exciting journey through Luther’s life. The book highlights 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.

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

Highlights

The Story of Martin Luther is

• A Lively Biography: 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 Crossway Books’ new Lives of Faith and Grace Series. Perfect for summer reading—or all year round—the Lives of Faith and Grace biography series will engage middle-grade readers (ages 8–14) with the real-life stories of Christian men and women from history. Young readers will see their strengths and their weaknesses, learn from their lives, and start to “imitate their faith” (Heb. 13:7). These short and lively biographies feature pencil sketch illustrations, maps, timelines, bonus sidebars, study questions, and options for further reading.

Endorsements

“Jared Kennedy brings the great Reformer Martin Luther to life—haunted by thunder and lightning, hunted by kings and popes, humbled by our Lord Jesus and his word! But Kennedy does more than retell Luther’s full and fascinating story. Like Luther himself, he points readers to Luther’s first love: the strong and mighty word of God that does what it says—creating, forgiving, making holy, and giving true life in Jesus Christ. An excellent book for first meeting the boisterous pastor, preacher, and professor of Wittenberg!”
Todd R. Hains, author, Martin Luther and the Rule of Faith and Who Is Our King?; editor, FatCat Books

“The Story of Martin Luther is a lively tale about a lively man. Jared Kennedy recounts the complexities of Luther’s life in a way that is understandable, interesting, and relatable, without oversimplification or condescension. I can think of no better way to introduce children to the Protestant Reformation than by giving them this biography.”
Betsy Childs Howard, Editor, The Gospel Coalition; author, Arlo and the Great Big Cover-Up 

“Phenomenal. The Story of Martin Luther is so much more than a biography. It is perfectly aimed at engaging young readers with exceptional storytelling and compelling narrative, and it is artfully and thoughtfully organized with points of visual interest, compelling illustrations, maps, recap sections, study questions, and a timeline. The young people who engage with this work will not soon forget the rich theology, church history, and maybe even the Latin they’re encouraged to scribble in the book itself. But more importantly, they will most certainly be shaped by the beauty and power of the gospel on display and will (Lord willing) begin to see God at work in their own stories.”
Abbey Wedgeworth, classical home educator; author of the Training Young Hearts series

“Jared Kennedy has crafted a fast-paced, fact-based guide to the life of Martin Luther, suitable for children yet worthwhile for any age. Luther is depicted as a man dependent on divine grace whose life was marked by both faith and failures.”
Timothy Paul Jones, C. Edwin Gheens Professor of Christian Family Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Jared Kennedy’s The Story of Martin Luther is perfect for young theologians and will be enjoyed by adults as well. Kennedy writes about Luther in a way that simultaneously informs and inspires readers to treasure Jesus and to have confidence in the word.”
Jamaal Williams, Lead Pastor, Sojourn Midtown, Louisville, Kentucky; President, Harbor Network; coauthor, In Church as It Is in Heaven 

“There are few figures in church history who are more colorful than the Reformer Martin Luther. In this volume, Jared Kennedy does a marvelous job of painting Luther with a glorious palette—showing us his persistent faith, his rigorous theological mind, and his endearing humanness. Kids and adults alike will laugh at Luther’s antics and thank God for his courage. The world could use some young Luthers today, and I pray this book will be the instrument God uses to raise up gospel-emboldened boys and girls.”
Megan Hill, Managing Editor, The Gospel Coalition; author; pastor’s wife; mother of four

“Whenever I see a new children’s book by Jared Kennedy, it jumps to the top of my list of books to recommend to parents. This skillful retelling of Martin Luther’s life is no exception.”
Robert L. Plummer, Collin and Evelyn Aikman Professor of Biblical Studies, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“This book checks all the boxes: interesting characters, well-told history, and rich theology explained so anyone can understand. Best of all, it makes Jesus and his free grace the hero of the story.”
Jack Klumpenhower, author, Show Them Jesus