A review by bookgirl4ever
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

5.0

Daniel hates the Roman soldiers who have conquered Israel. They killed his father, his mom died soon after because of a broken heart, and his younger sister is a shell of a person-afraid of everyone but their grandmother and Daniel. Because they needed the money, Daniel's grandmother sold him to an abusive blacksmith. Five years before the story begins, Daniel ran away from the blacksmith and found refuge with a group of rebels/bandits living in the nearby mountain. Daniel has not returned to the village since and has nursed his hatred of the Romans. When the novel starts, Daniel spies a brother and a sister (Joel and Thacia) close to his age exploring the mountain. He strikes up a conversation with them and recalls he knew them from school. The siblings are getting ready to move to Capernaum so Joel can become a scholar. Joel also has angry towards the Romans and vows to help Daniel in his quest for vengeance. Meanwhile, a carpenter out of Galiliee has gained a following and is said to be the Jews savior from the Romans. Daniel is intrigued by this man and sees his friends and associates begin to follow him as well. Events in Daniel's life cause him to change from impulsive and revenge-seeking, to more patient and thoughtful. Despite its setting, many teens can learn from the example of Daniel.

JHS/HS