The Legend of Luke
#12 in Redwall, Redwall (chronological order) Series
on Goodreads (17,286)
What’s inside...
The Legend of Luke explores the early life of Martin the Warrior's father Luke, a seafaring mouse that valiantly battles the pirate stoat, Vilu Daskar, in his quest to recover his abducted tribe. Joined by Trimp the Hedgehog, Dinny Foremole, and Gonff—the ever-mischievous Prince of Mousethieves—Martin embarks on a perilous journey to the northland shore, where Luke, his father, abandoned him as a child. There, within the carcass of a great red ship, he finally uncovers the story of the evil pirate stoat, Vilu Deskar, and the valiant warrior who pursued him relentlessly over the high seas, seeking to destroy Vilu at all costs, even if it meant deserting his only son. The legend of Luke and his son, Martin, is a glorious tale from Redwall's history. The Redwall series is soon to be a Netflix original movie! In this twelfth book of the masterful Redwall epic, storyteller Brian Jacques goes back in time to the days before Redwall, revealing with dramatic poignancy the legend of the first of the magnificent Redwall warriors--Luke, father of Martin.
Character compass
Martin The Warrior
Luke The Warrior
Gonff The Mousethief
Dinny Foremole
Trimp
Vilu Daskar
Discussion points
How do you think Luke felt when he set out on his journey? What might you feel if you were in his situation?
Luke encountered many challenges along the way. Can you think of a time when you faced a challenge and how you overcame it?
What do you think about the friendships Luke formed during his adventures? How important are friends when dealing with difficult situations?
Luke’s story is filled with various moral decisions. Which decision of his do you think was the most difficult, and what would you have done?
How can Luke’s courage inspire us in everyday life? Can you think of a way to be brave like Luke?
Tip: Role play these questions
As you discuss the book, show genuine interest in your child’s thoughts and feelings about the story to encourage open expression.
Relate Luke’s adventures and choices to real-life scenarios your child may encounter to deepen their understanding of the moral lessons.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or different choices Luke could have made and discuss the potential outcomes.
Help your child connect the themes of courage, friendship, and resilience in the book to their personal experiences, reinforcing these values.
Use expressive reading to bring the story to life during shared reading times, enhancing your child’s engagement and interest.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of courage and determination
Explanation: Throughout 'The Legend of Luke', protagonist Martin the Warrior embarks on a hazardous journey to uncover the story of his long-lost father. His relentless determination and bravery guide him through numerous challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace challenges with courage, understanding that perseverance in the face of difficulties can lead to significant personal growth and achievement.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: Martin's quest is supported by friends who aid him in his journey. Their collective efforts demonstrate that teamwork can overcome obstacles that might be insurmountable alone.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to value cooperative teamwork and shows how working together can solve problems more effectively than working alone.
Example Lesson: Understanding and empathy
Explanation: As Martin learns about his father's past, he develops a deep empathy for the struggles and sacrifices his father made. This emotional understanding is a key theme in the book.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of empathy, as understanding others' feelings and perspectives can lead to deeper relationships and a more compassionate community.
Example Lesson: Justice and moral integrity
Explanation: Martin fights against injustice throughout his adventures, striving to correct wrongs and defend those who cannot defend themselves.
Real-World Application: This lesson underlines the importance of standing up for what is right and protecting fairness and justice in everyday life.