He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. –from the Song of David (2 Samuel 22:35)The Bronze Bow, written by Elizabeth George Speare (author of The Witch of Blackbird Pond) won the Newbery Medal in 1962. This gripping, action-packed novel tells the story of eighteen-year-old Daniel bar Jamin—a fierce, hotheaded young man bent on revenging his father’s death by forcing … revenging his father’s death by forcing the Romans from his land of Israel. Daniel’s palpable hatred for Romans wanes only when he starts to hear the gentle lessons of the traveling carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth. A fast-paced, suspenseful, vividly wrought tale of friendship, loyalty, the idea of home, community . . . and ultimately, as Jesus says to Daniel on page 224: “Can’t you see, Daniel, it is hate that is the enemy? Not men. Hate does not die with killing. It only springs up a hundredfold. The only thing stronger than hate is love.” A powerful, relevant read in turbulent times.
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IT SO GUD BOIS READ IT PLZ I READ IT IN CLASSS
Good book. I like this author in general. I enjoy how you get introduced to a renown time and place in ways that give you perspective, especially if you’re a Christian. The surroundings and issues of Jesus’ day seem, to me, pretty well fleshed out in this novel. Book isn’t exactly a page turner but it’s pretty good.
The Bronze Bow Grabs Me Every Time I Read It
I was first introduced to The Bronze Bow in my 8th grade English class. I enjoyed it so much then, I went out and read the author’s other books. I recently picked this one up again and was amazed at how powerful it still was to me.
The story concerns Daniel, a young Jew at the time of Christ. He has an intense hatred of the Romans and lives with in an outlaw band in the hills. When his grandmother dies, he must move to the village of Nazareth to take care of his mentally ill sister, Leah, while trying to continue his life’s mission of driving the Romans back to Rome. He is drawn to the miracle worker, but just doesn’t know what he truly thinks about Jesus. Is he the Messiah sent to free them from the Romans? And will his sister ever recover?
Meanwhile, Daniel continues his zealot work from his blacksmith shop. When the plans begin to go wrong, he faces grave danger from the Romans.
Ms. Speare was able to create a complex plot that is simple enough for her target age (late elementary through middle school) to understand, but still captivating to adults. I got so caught up in the events when I was rereading that I couldn’t put it down. Along the way, the author slips in a couple familiar Bible stories. While you don’t need to be familiar with them to get what is happening, it adds a nice touch for those of us who do know them.
The characters are also well developed, especially Daniel and Leah. By the time the climax comes, you are so invested in the characters it is as emotional for you as it is for them. Yes, I’ll admit that I have cried every time I have read the last chapter, and I’ve read this book 4 or 5 times over the years.
The setting is as much a part of the story as the characters are. Israel under Roman rule is brought to vivid life and we get to learn some of what that life was truly like. As much as I enjoy history, this is a very painless way to get a picture of another time.
The writing flows. One reason this book is hard to put down is how smoothly it pulls you into the story. You forget you are reading a book and feel like you are right beside Daniel.
There’s a reason The Bronze Bow won the Newberry Medal award. I highly recommend this children’s novel to readers of all ages.