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Introducing the Story of Corrie Ten Boom to a New Generation

Introducing the Story of Corrie Ten Boom to a New Generation

Last updated on: July 25, 2026 at 2:37 pm by Jeff McLain

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Introducing the Story of Corrie Ten Boom to a New Generation 2026-07-25T14:37:10-04:00 Jeff McLain

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Jeff McLain Reviews The Story of Corrie ten Boom by Jennifer T. Kelley (Crossway).

Corrie ten Boom once said, “It is not our task to give God instructions. We are simply to report for duty” (Tramp for the Lord 1976, 140). She lived her life this way, willing to serve and love for the sake of the Kingdom. As a result, she became what she called a “tramp for the Lord” and found her purpose in spreading God’s amazing love. Recently, Crossway sent me The Story of Corrie ten Boom by Jennifer T. Kelley, released in 2025. Written for students ages 8–13, the book introduces young readers to the remarkable story of Corrie’s life and enduring faith.

About Corrie Ten Boom

This woman, who experienced the Nazi occupation of her country, imprisonment for being part of the resistance, and then was sentenced to years in a concentration camp, knew what it meant to report for duty. Her family fostered children, hid and smuggled Jews to safety, and remained people of prayer amid some of humanity’s darkest moments. She experienced the provision, protection, and presence of God in extraordinary ways because of her willingness to answer God’s call. After miraculously being let go from the concentration camp, Corrie ten Boom spent the rest of her life traveling the globe teaching, writing, and speaking about God’s goodness and the good news of Jesus in powerful ways and places.

It was this brave and committed but compassionate and soft soul who wrote that she lived in “a world where demons rule, where wars are waged, where hopelessness, cruelty, and fear predominate, where millions of people are starving in China, where cities are turned into ruins in many parts of Europe; where atom bombs are surpassed in destructive power by hydrogen bombs” (Amazing Love 1985, 111). Yet Corrie rooted herself—and invites us to do the same—not in the problems but in the promising mission of God. She reminded us that these realities, no matter how cruel and gruesome, do not define our world. Instead, we live in a world “which God so loved, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (Amazing Love 1985, 111). Such a rooted anchor keeps us focused on the main things in life no matter the circumstances. This is the message she would tramp across the country to share and proclaim.

My children have grown up hearing about Corrie ten Boom, watching The Hiding Place, and last year I gifted a copy of Corrie’s classic The Hiding Place book to my oldest daughter because I wanted her to be inspired by such a strong, sound, and courageous female follower of Jesus. This is not just a story for my daughters. Corrie has long inspired me, one of the most notable as I was growing up, and I wanted the same for my children. Since I was small, her story, writings, example, and theology inspired me. Yet, she remained a humble individual with a deep authority. So, when Crossway sent me The Story of Corrie ten Boom, I looked forward to reading this new book—not only because it tells the story of one of my personal influences and heroes, but because I hoped that this book would become a valuable resource to introduce my two youngest daughters to Corrie’s remarkable witness as well. The author of Hebrews tells us to recall and imitate the leaders who spoke God’s word to us, to “Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7, NIV).

The Story of Corrie Ten Boom by Jennifer T. Kelley

This short read of just about 150 pages, probably about size 14 font and double-spaced, is a quick read for young readers too. Transparently, it took me no time at all, but I imagine it is perfect for this age bracket. The chapters are short, the margins are good, and the paper thickness is fair. There are a few ink drawings, additional resources, and sidebar conversations in each chapter. It feels like many other books for young readers on the market. What sets it apart is the sidebar conversations, which seem designed to help young readers and students understand more.

The book starts with a memorable and often repeated story of Corrie’s. She was speaking in a church when one of the cruelest guards from the concentration camp she was sentenced to approached her for forgiveness. He had become a Christian and wanted her forgiveness. She could not, on her own power in that moment, forgive him, but she drew on what she called the vast oceans of God’s love to extend God’s forgiveness to him. This story sets the stage for the rest of the book in a captivating way and is a great hook for readers who may not be familiar with the humble and unique journey Corrie ten Boom walked.

The story then backs up and looks at her origin story. This is about her upbringing, which has also been exemplified in The Hiding Place movie and book. In captivating story fashion, it tells the story of her upbringing, to her unaware role in joining the resistance, to the way her family wrestled with the occupation of evil in their neighborhood, and how her family’s covert operations began to push back against Nazi regimes to share God’s love and good news despite the oppressive circumstances. The story follows her imprisonment and how she survived. Readers familiar with her full story will note that it leaves out many of the smaller and more gruesome stories. The story of Corrie ten Boom ends with her being released from the camp, miraculously, and how she lived her life proclaiming God’s love and good news for the rest of her life. The last chapter by author Jennifer T. Kelly reflects on the forgiveness Corrie ten Boom modeled for us all, and with scripture explores the responsibilities we all share to witness to God’s loving goodness and good news to the world around us.

Twelve short chapters trace Corrie ten Boom’s life from 1892 to 1983. Framed around one of her best-known statements, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God,” Kelley walks readers through the defining moments that shaped Corrie’s faith and witness. The opening chapter begins in 1947 with Corrie’s famous encounter with a former concentration camp guard before stepping back to tell the story from the beginning. In that story, she is proclaiming God’s goodness, reminding us, “Everyone has sinned, but God will forgive those sins. And when God forgives sins, he does not remember them. It is as if he had thrown them into the bottom of the ocean, never to be seen again!” It is here that she is tested in that belief as her persecutor asks for forgiveness. The second chapter explores Corrie’s childhood in Haarlem, introducing the loving watchmaker’s family and the Christian home that formed her character. It is here that we are introduced to the quirky watchmaker’s home that would later become both a place of Christian hospitality and a refuge for persecuted Jews. Chapter 3 looks at how Corrie wanted to be someone and sought life in the world, only to have God bring her back home to be a watchmaker. From there, each chapter follows the next stage of her life—from her quiet years before the war, through the Nazi occupation, the resistance, imprisonment, Ravensbrück, and finally her decades of worldwide ministry following her release. The book concludes with reflections on the lessons of Corrie’s life, followed by discussion questions that encourage readers to consider how her faith might shape their own lives.

The youngest of four children, Corrie is shaped by a good family life, marked by hardships but a deep sense of community, play, and commitment to the mission of Jesus. Each chapter highlights the unique way that God does extraordinary, life-changing, unbelievable otherworldly things in ordinary people. This is a reason to read this story alone.

A Biography for Students

This book, The Story of Corrie ten Boom by Jennifer T. Kelley, is part of a young readers book series for Crossway. This series, Lives of Faith and Grace, features many different authors and includes books on Martin Luther, Katie Luther, John Bunyan, Harriet Tubman, and several others for young readers. I am excited about such endeavors. More than ever, young readers need to know these anchoring and inspirational stories of leaders of faith who weathered the roads before us and left exemplary paths. Christian biographies remind us that ordinary people, empowered by God’s Spirit, can live extraordinary lives of faithfulness. Corrie’s story is not meant to make us admire her from a distance but to ask whether we are willing to report for duty wherever Christ has placed us.

I hope these stories pique further interest, and that young readers do not stop here. Corrie ten Boom’s stories, passion, leadership, teaching, and her experiences with the active work of God’s Spirit, which sustained her in miraculous ways in everyday life and ministry, cannot be ignored. Please encourage young readers who are moved by her story to go further into reading about her life through her own words.

Kelley succeeds in telling Corrie’s story with warmth and clarity without talking down to younger readers. She avoids sensationalizing the horrors of the Holocaust, avoiding them more than domesticating them, while still communicating the real cost of discipleship that was at play in ten Boom’s life. The passionate pacing keeps the narrative moving, and she consistently points readers back to Scripture and God’s faithfulness rather than merely celebrating Corrie as a faithful influence. That balance is one of the book’s greatest strengths.

Look More At The Story of Corrie Ten Boom

As I stated earlier, each chapter has more than just the story, but there are illustrations, timelines, study questions, and bonus sidebars that delve into the history, verbiage, additional stories, and insights. We certainly grasp the amazing story that Corrie ten Boom lived; she cared deeply for people, wanted to make an impact for God’s Kingdom, and dedicated her life to reporting for duty. Some of the memorable experiences, quotes, and miraculous encounters are missing from this general look at her life and concentration camp experience. The stories of her traveling the globe and teaching—as explored in her books Amazing Love and Tramp for the Lord—are brushed away in a few sentences. My biggest wrestling with this book was the cover. Though a talented artist, I feel the artwork does a huge injustice to the way Corrie looked, and it misses that passionate and humble gleam that defined her look. I truly hope this cover is revisited in future releases of this book.

While Crossway recommends this book for ages 8–13, I suspect it shines brightest for elementary school readers over middle school readers. It is an easy read, and younger readers will likely benefit from reading it alongside a parent or grandparent who can help the story open up conversations on forgiveness, courage, suffering, and following Jesus in difficult times.

Though it is a short read, it will captivate readers in a memorable way. Reading this short book reminded me, in a passionate way, of the deep love and heart Corrie had for the Lord and his mission.

About Author Jennifer T. Kelley

Kelley gives us a story that will get you caught up in it—student or adult. Jennifer T. Kelley is obviously a fan of Corrie ten Boom as well. It not only comes across in her writing, but also in the way she has offered many other insights into her life online. Kelley blogs about The Story of the Watchmaker Who Forgave Her Enemies last September for Crossway. She also addressed her in The Crossway Podcast in the Episode The Life and Legacy of Corrie ten Boom. A former teacher of fifteen years, she writes in an age-appropriate way that shows her love for Boom and Jesus. Kelley and her husband (Arran) serve a church in Columbia, South Carolina, and raise their family. Released in 2025, Kelley gives us The Story of Corrie ten Boom, a watchmaker who forgives her enemies and becomes a hero of the faith, in a compelling, true, and inspirational story.

Recommending The Story of Corrie ten Boom

I recommend this book to Christian families, grandparents, classes, and churches looking to introduce young readers to one of the twentieth century’s most compelling witnesses. We may find a way to recommend it at River Corner Church. Overall, this read serves as an excellent first introduction to Corrie ten Boom while naturally encouraging readers to continue with The Hiding Place as they mature.

Corrie ten Boom believed we are not called to give God instructions but to report for duty. Jennifer T. Kelley‘s book reminds a new generation what that kind of faithfulness looks like. If this story encourages even a handful of young readers to trust Christ more deeply, love their neighbors more courageously, and answer God’s call with the same quiet obedience that marked Corrie’s life, then it has accomplished something worthwhile.

Buy on Crossway.

By the way, totally unrelated, check out Ten Boom Coffee Roasters. We love this other introduction to Corrie ten Boom’s legacy.

If this post resonated, subscribe for future reflections, share it with a friend, or leave a comment. You can learn more about his journey to recover a rooted Christian way of life through the Lord’s Prayer, ancient habits, leading a quiet life, and simple Jesus communities online at JeffMcLain.com, the Lead a Quiet Life blog on Patheos, or the Discovering God Podcast.

Join the Conversation

I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

What is your favorite story or quote from Corrie ten Boom, and why has it stayed with you?
Who is another Christian from history whose life has strengthened your faith?
If you could recommend one Christian biography for young readers, what would it be?

If you enjoyed this review, you may also appreciate these recent reflections:

Port of Call: Sometimes We Need More Than a Weekly Sabbath — Why a weekly day of rest is essential, but sometimes we need longer seasons of renewal.
A Quiet Life Is Rooted Like a Tree (Psalm 1) — What Psalm 1 teaches us about becoming deeply rooted in Christ.
Psalm 23: A Poem for the Pilgrimage — Reflecting on Psalm 23 as a companion for the journey of following Jesus.

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The Story of Corrie ten Boom

About Jeff McLain

Jeff McLain is a Doctor of Ministry Student on the Lord’s Prayer at Kairos University, Director of Pastoral Ministries at Water Street Mission, and a pastor at River Corner Church. Mobilized by 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Jeff blogs about recovering a rooted Christian way of life through the Lord’s Prayer, ancient habits, leading a quiet life, and simple Jesus communities. You can read more about the author here.

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