The Bronze Bow
by Elizabeth George Speare
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Book Reviews of The Bronze Bow
Book Review: A truly amazing story.
Summary: 5 Stars
This 1962 Newbery Award novel is truly an amazing story. The idea of showing the political and religious climate of Israel through the eyes of an 18 year old tormented man was brilliantly conceived and carried out. Daniel bar Jamin was deeply scared at the age of eight when he witnessed the deaths by crucifixion of his father, uncle and other villagers at the hands of Roman soldiers. He and his younger sister went to live with their grandmother when Daniel's mother died shortly after his father's tragic and gruesome death. As time went on and it became more difficult for his grandmother to care for Daniel she made the decision to sell him into an apprenticeship with the local blacksmith. Daniel ran away from the blacksmith's cruel treatment and became a member of a robber band hiding in the mountains around his home. His one purpose in life was to avenge the death of his father by becoming skilled enough to kill Roman soldiers.
This book presents the viewpoint of Jews chafing under the harsh Roman rule while waiting for a sign that a leader had come to rescue them from their oppression. The title, The Bronze Bow, refers to a secret password established by the young men to identify themselves as part of the group working to prepare the way for the leader. Most of the men idolized the leader of the robber band and expected him to be the man to change their circumstances and fight against the Roman soldiers. Into this volatile situation comes a carpenter from the nearby town of Nazareth. Jesus' teachings begin to have more and more effect on the men waiting for a warrior leader.
I enjoyed this story very much and highly recommend it. It is a very thought provoking glimpse into what the lives of Jews were like under the Roman rulers and how their hopes and religious beliefs caused them to make life altering decisions concerning this teacher, Jesus of Nazareth. Having the story presented from the viewpoint of those ordinary people who had to make incredible decisions based completely on faith will provide readers of any age with many opportunities to question how they would have reacted had they been placed in the same circumstances. This book is aimed at Young Readers but it is certainly not limited to that group and I will remember this remarkable story for many years to come.
Book Review: Not suitable for public schools!
Summary: 1 Stars
The Bronze Bow tells the story of Daniel, a Jewish boy in 1st century Judea. Filled with hate for the occupying Romans, he joins a group of mountain guerilla fighters. Returning home to care for his sister, he becomes increasingly disgusted by the inaction of Jewish leaders and the elitism and pettiness of their religious "law", but his life is changed forever when he comes to know Jesus of Nazareth. In the book's final scene, he is abruptly transformed by an ecstatic religious conversion.
Unfortunately, many passages in the book are based directly on the New Testament, both professing Christian doctrine and criticizing Judaism. Most alarmingly, woven tightly into the narrative is the accusation that Jews and Jewish leaders plotted to kill Jesus. This charge is the wellspring of all anti-Semitism, pogroms, and the Holocaust.
Scriptures of all religions outline their tenets, and when a new denomination splits off, its holy writings often criticize its predecessor. Religion is a crucial part of history and of today's world, and students need to learn about religion in public schools. But the right way to do it is to teach and discuss FACTS about religions thoughtfully, without favoring or deprecating any people or faith, not preach the DOCTRINE of one religion in particular.
The author's other books are notable for their promotion of cultural and religious understanding, especially The Witch of Blackbird Pond. But in The Bronze Bow, she incorporated polemic which was so familiar to her that she did not see its harm. (In 1961, the first Supreme Court decision on school prayer was still two years away, and the Vatican had not yet repudiated the concept of collective Jewish guilt for Jesus' death.) On the other hand, she intentionally designed the book to teach children about Jesus, as described in the speech she gave accepting the Newbery medal for the book in 1962.
This book is 45 years old, and its Newbery medal has protected it from much scrutiny. It is still used in school districts all over the United States. It is time for public school parents, teachers, and officials to re-examine the book and find alternatives.
For more information, enter "Bronze Bow" and "concerned parents" in your search engine.
Book Review: One of the most excellent books I have ever read!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is great. My class read it this year as one of our sixth grade novels. The Bronze Bow is about a boy named Dainel. Dainel's parents died when he was very young. His father was crucified, and his mother, who sat weeping at his father's crucifixtion, died a few weeks later. Daniel then had to live with his grandmother and his younger sister, Leah. Daniel leaves his home when he is thirteen years old. One day, five years later, Daniel saw two kids about his age. One of which he recognized. For moment, he was bewildered with who the boy really was until he remembered-he had gone to school with him. When Daniel goes up to Joel, he finds out the other person was his twin sister, Malthace. He asked how his grandmother and sister were doing. Joel and Malthace informed him that his grandmother and Leah were fine, and that his grandmother was sometimes seen out of the house. But Leah never came out. When Daniel goes back to the village, he remembers that Leah had been possessed by demons. They had a large variety of doctors see her, but no one could cure it. Daniel goes back to the village, and shortly after he recieved a message saying that his grandmother was dying. He went home to find his grandmother on her bed. Leah had nailed all of the doors shut and had never been out for about a week. Daniel visited his grandmother, when her last words spoken to him were, "Dainel, you came." Leah would rarely come out of her corner where she was balled up to see anything. Once Daniel and Leah's grandmother died, they moved into one of Daniels' friends houses where Daniel worked. Leah got to meet Malthace and became good friends with her. Daniel realized that whenever Leah would see Malthace, her attitude and personality would change-to be more like hers. That lasted until one very day. Daniel had gotten mad at her for being friends with a Roman, Marcus, and she became angry. Leah became very sick and close to dying. Daniel didn't know who could help her until he thought of one person-Jesus, who cured the demons from her forever. This book is extraordinary. I could read it again and again. I highly recommend it!Book Review: A ten year old boy's review of a fantastic book
Summary: 5 Stars
Imagine your father taken away and killed by the Romans. Could you ever forgive them? When this happens to Daniel's family, it leaves his sister traumatized and Daniel with a fiery hatred for the Romans. The Bronze Bow is not only historically correct; it is also exciting! This book completely uses all the reader's emotions throughout the story line and it draws the reader into the story.
In The Bronze Bow, Daniel, a Jewish boy, despises Roman rule. After Daniel witnesses his father's crucifixion and watches his mother die of a broken heart, he retreats to the mountains. There he joins a notorious gang that robs people to gain money for armor and weaponry to free Israel. Daniel meets up with some old friends and they recruit a small group of boys who, with Daniel, hope to avenge his parent's deaths and rid the Holy Land of Romans. But then Daniel faces the hardest decision of his life: should he love and forgive the Romans or hate them?
The character development in The Bronze Bow is tremendous. Two of my favorite characters are Daniel and Joel. Daniel is an eighteen-year-old Jewish boy seeking revenge. He is hateful yet finds himself questioning his anger for the Romans. Joel is a seventeen-year-old Jewish boy that is thoughtful, loyal, and kind. Joel wants to solve the Roman/Israeli conflict with words, not force. In this story the reader becomes part of Daniel and Joel's group of friends.
Elizabeth George Speare, the author of The Bronze Bow, was born in Melrose, Massachusetts in 1908. She has won the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award and two Newbery Medals for The Bronze Bow and The Witch of Blackbird Pond. She has also won a Newbery Honor Medal for The Sign of the Beaver.
The Bronze Bow is an emotional, breathtaking, and extraordinary book for readers who yearn for excitement. It is my favorite book and its message and characters will always affect me. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will love this book as much as I did.
Book Review: A recommended book for homeschoolers....
Summary: 4 Stars
We included this title for our 6th grade son's home school reading for the ancient history time period. You can read from other reviews what the book is about. My review is targeted for those using the book for education vs. entertainment.The book is an entertaining read. It held my attention and I have read so many books that a novel must be well-written for me to enjoy it. The flavor of the book reminded me a bit of Louis L'Amour's "The Walking Drum" - which was one of my favorite easy-read's for a long time.
The book does a good job showing the character development of it's principle character. He goes from being selfish to being responsible for others. We see him change as he really opens his eyes to the world & people around him.
One aspect I like about the book is that the author lets you "live" in the character's shoes. Kids will relate to the idealism, daring & comradery. As the main character grows emotionally & spiritually, we begin to see that life is much more dangerous, complex & frightening than a youth might appreciate. Your friends are not always your true friends and those who irritate you might be your salvation.
The book has a strong element of Christianity which will appeal to those who are of that faith. Christ plays a somewhat significant role in the book. While I didn't nec. agree with the description of "the piercing eyes" and all that jazz..the book was able to portray that "God's ways are not our ways" and "God's thoughts are not our thoughts." In the end, the young man is able to let go of his hatred & live for the first time in his life at peace with God & man.
I do recommend the book for it's readability & lessons, however I have it a 4 instead of a 5 because it is not heavy on history, not even as much as a Louis L'Amour novel is...or GA Henty.
Hope this helps