The Life and Times of Martin Luther

Gr 3–7—This picture book biography demonstrates why Martin Luther was—and is—an inspiration for social justice. Roth-Beck's text encapsulates Luther's transformation from student to monk to church reformer and rebel outlaw. At the book's core are eight pages devoted to Luther's theses, which definitively changed the social and religious landscape of Europe by challenging the Catholic Church. Under headings like "Indulgences Hit the Poor Hardest," Roth-Beck presents and explains primary source material. Emphasizing the way religious and social reform entwined, this section also models how critical reading and writing can spur change. Ending the narrative with Luther's death keeps the focus on his idealism, avoiding the sectarian violence of the Thirty Years War. Roth-Beck tells the story from a German Protestant perspective: if North American readers may be surprised that every October 31 "we" celebrate Reformation Day, this cultural difference can generate dialogue. Ensikat's intricate line drawings beautifully convey the period, and a note on the illustrations unlocks some symbolism.