Who Was Jesus?

This fascinating addition to the best-selling Who Was...? series does not settle questions of theology. Instead, it presents young readers with a biography that covers what is known historically about Jesus and places in his life in the context of his world when Jerusalem was part of the Roman Empire. In an even-handed and easy-to-read narrative, this title—illustrated with eighty black-and-white drawings—also explains the early origins of Christianity and how it became a major religion.


What I Like: Who Was Jesus by Ellen Morgan is part of a series of books, the Who Is/Was books. I was pleasantly surprised to find Jesus included among historical figures children usually learn about (Lincoln, Washington, Franklin, DaVinci, etc...). The book is written as a biography of His life and covers his birth, death and many stories from in between. The book also includes sketches of people and events throughout His life, as well as maps of Judea and the Roman Empire. This is a great read for children who do not know Jesus.


What I Dislike: This book is an account of Jesus's life from a factual standpoint, as you would read it in a history book in school ("unbiased"). For example, a passage from within the book reads that Christians believe that Jesus was the son of God, rather than Jesus IS the son of God. Most children who already know Jesus will not find anything new within the story. The book does nothing to help build faith but instead just recounts facts.

Special: While this book is not written from a Christian perspective, I am still pleased that this book is available.  While it is written as a biography, most of what is used as historical fact is taken from the bible.  So while the content isn't faith building and new to children who already know Jesus, it is a step in the right direction for those who do not. My 11 year old (who knows Jesus) and many of her friends (some do not know Jesus personally) love the Who Is/Was book series and refer to them as the BobbleHead Books. She plans to lend out her copy to her friends who already fans of the series in order to spark an interest into Jesus that still lives as opposed to someone who lived a long time ago.

Overall Rating: Good.

Age Appeal: 8-12 years old.

Publisher Info: Grosset & Dunlap, 2015; ISBN: 978-0448483207; Paperback, 112 pgs., $5.99

Buy it at Amazon.com for $ 3.85. Also available as an eBook for $3.66.
OR Buy it Now at Christianbook.com for $5.02 (eBook Only)