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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Set in Galiliee during the time of Christ, The Bronze Bow is the story of a young man, Daniel, coming to terms with the ravages of the world upon his family. His parents are dead due to the Roman occupation and his sister is lost in the darkness of her mind. Daniel is angry and searching for a leader who will exact revenge for his pain and the family's suffering. He thinks he has found that leader and cause in the band of mountain rebels. Yet he learns that warfare and pillaging is not the way to peace in this world.
Elizabeth George Speare brings interesting thoughts and ideas to ponder to the narrative of the mortal life of Jesus. We see some of His actions, teachings and miracles through the eyes of Daniel.
The New Testament is mostly told through the voice of believers. Yet Jesus was also surrounded by people who never believed and by many who sought after Him seeking His miracles. He also was surrounded by people who slowly came to an understanding and knowledge of the mission He came to earth for at that time. through the life and experiences of Daniel, Speare shares a narrative of conversion.
This book was published in 1961. I find it interesting that, despite the religious subject matter, it was selected as the Newbery Award winner.
Elizabeth George Speare brings interesting thoughts and ideas to ponder to the narrative of the mortal life of Jesus. We see some of His actions, teachings and miracles through the eyes of Daniel.
The New Testament is mostly told through the voice of believers. Yet Jesus was also surrounded by people who never believed and by many who sought after Him seeking His miracles. He also was surrounded by people who slowly came to an understanding and knowledge of the mission He came to earth for at that time. through the life and experiences of Daniel, Speare shares a narrative of conversion.
This book was published in 1961. I find it interesting that, despite the religious subject matter, it was selected as the Newbery Award winner.
3. Pretty good, started off slow but then ended well. I could see this being a series.
The audio version was only okay.
The audio version was only okay.
This was my first time reading this book to my kids. It was part of our homeschool curriculum for learning about Jews in the Roman Empire. Such a powerful book. We all wanted more. When we finished (me barely keeping back tears so as to not annoy my sons), my daughter asked, "are there more books in this series?" and my ten year old expressed disappointment that there were no actual bronze bows. We were all on the edge of our seats even though my husband and I have read it before (and he would strain to listen from his office in the next room as I read every day).
I have read this book before, but I had forgotten what the main themes were. Daniel's whole life is occupied with taking revenge on the Romans, who killed his father. He lets his anger get in the way of things that are important: when he joins Rosh the bandit, he abandons his grandmother, sister, and living and reading the Law. His friend Joel and Simon the Zealot help him return to these things. When his grandmother dies, he knows he has to go back and take care of his sister. She was possessed with spirits when their father died and has never left the house since. When Daniel meets Christ, he is confused about... unfinished
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
How have I not read this book???? This is the Newbery award winner from 1962. What a completely relevant book for our day. The theme is mainly one of revenge versus forgiveness and love. This book takes place at the time of Christ. Daniel is a Jewish youth who wants to fight the Romans and is willing to do anything to avenge his homeland and family. His vengeance consumes him. When he hears the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, he is troubled by the teachings and struggles with himself but he can't stay away. He wonders if this is the Messiah who has been prophesied to come.
This is a well researched, well done story that shows a unique perspective. There are interactions with Jesus, but it is mainly about Daniel, his sister, and those who want to fight with him. There is action and a little bit of romance thrown in. This is a book that I want my children to read. It's too bad that this Newbery gem is often forgotten by the schools. (I listened to the audiobook version of this book and really enjoyed the narrator.)
This is a well researched, well done story that shows a unique perspective. There are interactions with Jesus, but it is mainly about Daniel, his sister, and those who want to fight with him. There is action and a little bit of romance thrown in. This is a book that I want my children to read. It's too bad that this Newbery gem is often forgotten by the schools. (I listened to the audiobook version of this book and really enjoyed the narrator.)
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reread after many, many years to see if it still held up. I think it does! I ate up Elizabeth George Speare when I was 12 or thereabouts, and I enjoyed refreshing my memory of the story from an adult perspective. The characters are realistic enough to be frustrating in their vividly drawn flaws, which sounds bad, but after a lot of flat YA characters lately, I rather liked it. The plot kept me intrigued, and the historical context is convincingly painted. Jesus shows up just enough to have an impact on the story but not steal the story, which is a tough line to walk.
This is a story of love winning over hate. Daniel hates the Romans for taking his father's life, his mother's life, his sister's sanity, and his freedom. He nurtures his hatred while living with a band of outlaws in the hills outside his village. Daniel meets Joel and Malthace, a brother and sister, who join Daniel in fighting for the cause and begin to teach him about love. Daniel meets Jesus several times, and each time Jesus asks Daniel what he is willing to lose for his hatred.
A great story that illustrates the power hatred has over our lives and what can happen when you let love in.
A great story that illustrates the power hatred has over our lives and what can happen when you let love in.