Product Description
Set in Galilee in the time of Jesus, this is the story of a young Jewish rebel who is won over to the gentle teachings of Jesus.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 96 reviews)

helping

this book is about several people who tries to fight rome and one of them wants jesus to help but he doesnt
November 22, 2008

Deeply moving and powerful adventure

I don't think I have what one might call a huge interest in Jerusalem. I'm pretty religious and I enjoy studying the religion, but what mostly drew me to this book was not the Jerusalem/Judaisim/Christ aspect but the fact that this was written by Elizabeth George Speare. But it worked well and I have to admire the woman from stepping out of New England for a captivating portrayal of a young man torn between a vow of vengeance and the redeeming power of love. Daniel is someone with whom everyone should be able to identify, determined to do what he feels is right and just. Even with all his intentions of fighting the Romans, he still comes off as an eighteen year-old boy with all of those thoughts and feelings. The writing, as usual for this great writer, is fantastic and detailed without being overwhelming. There is plenty of adventure which is well-balanced with the sweet story of Jesus Christ. Even so, I would not call this a proselyting book, but a piece of historical fiction of a boy who happens to be touched by Christ. I was deeply moved and impressed.
October 21, 2008

Only one of my favorite books

This has got to be one of the best books that I have read. It started out a little slow for me, but once I got into it, I really liked it. It has a really good message to it, and it was really inspiring to me. I read some reviews about how it was too detailed or boring, but that is not true at all. It is not a total action book, but that is not what it is meant to be. I loved this book and it is part of my top ten.
September 23, 2008

5 stars is not enough!

There are a great deal of "Young Adult Fiction" books that I didn't get around to reading at the "right age." The Bronze Bow is one such book. I didn't read it until I was out of college and had a better understanding of the Jewish faith and customs, and I wondered what had taken me so long. This book is wonderful! It presents an accurate picture of everyday life in early Christian Jerusalem and reveals how family tragedy can scar young lives. Daniel's hatred of the Romans is an obssessive passion; it consumes him to the extent that he cuts himself off from other people and future relationships that he could have. "It is Roman blood I want!" he says and he lives for the day when the last Roman is driven from the land. He sees his relationsips with others, his feelings for his girlfriend Thacia, his sister Leah, and his friend Sampson as his "weakness", something to hold him back from this goal he is trying to reach, and he continually shuts them out, though he is very lonely and unhappy when doing so. Only when he is alone and everyone is slipping away from him does he realize that hatred will not fill the emptiness in his heart.

I have always enjoyed Biblical fiction and am presently working on a book of my own. When I knew that this took place in early Christian times, I grabbed it right away! The unusual thing is that it ends before the
Crucifiction, leaving readers to wonder how the characters of this story will react to it. It beautifully illustrates Christian truths, the power of love over hatred and the power to do all things, even impossible things, with God's help. A treat for fans of Biblical and historical fiction!
July 24, 2008

planning to read it again

This is an interesting read for kids over the age of 10, and for adults as well. The main character depicts a Jewish teenager named Daniel living at the same time as Jesus. Daniel is very disturbed over the Roman occupation of Israel and the death of his parents. The book provides an excellent forum to teach children about religious tolerance and getting along with others. The characters are complex, allowing for deep literary analysis, and the historical context is educational, something that adolescents will associate with, given their background in world history. The story is both endearing and stimulating, with an active plot. My 11 year old is planning to read it again.
May 26, 2008

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

The Golden Goblet (Newbery Library, Puffin)
by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

The Door in the Wall (Books for Young Readers)
by Marguerite De Angeli

Mara, Daughter of the Nile (Puffin Story Books)
by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

The Sign of the Beaver
by Elizabeth George Speare

The Witch of Blackbird Pond
by Elizabeth George Speare