Plot Summary
The title refers to 2 Samuel 22:35 in which David says God has prepared him to be a soldier for Him and has given him great strength that he can bend a bow of bronze. 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)
This is the story of eighteen-year-old Daniel bar Jamin—a hotheaded young man with anger in his heart over the death of his father at the hands of the invading Romans. The setting is a tumultuous Israel at the time of Jesus whom Daniel meets and eventually comes to love. The lessons of love and forgiveness that Daniel learns from traveling carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth allow Daniel to purge his heart of his hatred. A fast-paced, suspenseful, vividly wrought tale of . . . 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. (Publisher's Description)
Personal Reaction
This is such a beautiful and touching book about love and forgiveness. I think it should be required reading for everyone in the world! Speare has given the reader a glimpse at what it must have been like to live in such turbulent times, very reflective of the present.
Memorable Literary Element
Speare uses imagery to create realistic descriptions of characters, setting, and action.
“Now watching the water sloshing out carelessly...”(p.29)
“He was slight, with the knotted arms and shoulders of one who had done hard labor from childhood...”(p.46)
Illustrations
There are no illustrations.
The title refers to 2 Samuel 22:35 in which David says God has prepared him to be a soldier for Him and has given him great strength that he can bend a bow of bronze. 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)
This is the story of eighteen-year-old Daniel bar Jamin—a hotheaded young man with anger in his heart over the death of his father at the hands of the invading Romans. The setting is a tumultuous Israel at the time of Jesus whom Daniel meets and eventually comes to love. The lessons of love and forgiveness that Daniel learns from traveling carpenter, Jesus of Nazareth allow Daniel to purge his heart of his hatred. A fast-paced, suspenseful, vividly wrought tale of . . . 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. (Publisher's Description)
Personal Reaction
This is such a beautiful and touching book about love and forgiveness. I think it should be required reading for everyone in the world! Speare has given the reader a glimpse at what it must have been like to live in such turbulent times, very reflective of the present.
Memorable Literary Element
Speare uses imagery to create realistic descriptions of characters, setting, and action.
“Now watching the water sloshing out carelessly...”(p.29)
“He was slight, with the knotted arms and shoulders of one who had done hard labor from childhood...”(p.46)
Illustrations
There are no illustrations.
Reviews/Awards
Newbery Medal - 1962
Publisher's Weekly Top 10 All-Time Bestselling Novels (#8)
KIRKUS REVIEW -- Daniel of Galilee joins the powerful Rosh in the mountains and participates in the underground vowed to bend the bronze bow of Rome. Sent to Copernaum to dispatch information, Daniel by chance observes the healing power of Jesus and is profoundly fascinated. Though his friend Joel refuses to participate in violence, Daniel's hatred is steeled by the constant reminder of his parents' crucifixion and the deadening effect it had on his younger sister Leah who sits in silence day after day. As Rosh's methods become more cruel, he is renounced by the brave mountain band and Daniel appeals to Jesus to fill the now empty leadership role. How puzzled he is when the great prophet preaches love as the best antidote to the bronze bow of Rome, and how miraculous when he finds his own heart thawing in a crisis. Leah's impending death is Daniel's redemption for he allows the young Roman soldier with whom Leah has fallen deeply in love, to enter his lodgings, and with it a measure of Jesus' teachings to enter his soul. The author succeeds admirably in re-entering the era and filling it with entirely human characters. Intentionally Jesus remains a shadowy figure, for it is his effect on Daniel that is essential to the boy's development. Alive and colorful biblical fare in the well modulated manner of Elizabeth Speare.Elizabeth George Speare won the 1962 Newbery Medal for this magnificent novel of Daniel's tormented journey from a blind, confining hatred to his acceptance and understanding of love. Booklist called it "a dramatic, deeply felt narrative whose characters and message will be long remembered." Recommended for ages 9 and up.
BOOKLIST -- A dramatic, deeply felt narrative whose characters and message will long be remembered. Booklist, ALA
Newbery Medal - 1962
Publisher's Weekly Top 10 All-Time Bestselling Novels (#8)
KIRKUS REVIEW -- Daniel of Galilee joins the powerful Rosh in the mountains and participates in the underground vowed to bend the bronze bow of Rome. Sent to Copernaum to dispatch information, Daniel by chance observes the healing power of Jesus and is profoundly fascinated. Though his friend Joel refuses to participate in violence, Daniel's hatred is steeled by the constant reminder of his parents' crucifixion and the deadening effect it had on his younger sister Leah who sits in silence day after day. As Rosh's methods become more cruel, he is renounced by the brave mountain band and Daniel appeals to Jesus to fill the now empty leadership role. How puzzled he is when the great prophet preaches love as the best antidote to the bronze bow of Rome, and how miraculous when he finds his own heart thawing in a crisis. Leah's impending death is Daniel's redemption for he allows the young Roman soldier with whom Leah has fallen deeply in love, to enter his lodgings, and with it a measure of Jesus' teachings to enter his soul. The author succeeds admirably in re-entering the era and filling it with entirely human characters. Intentionally Jesus remains a shadowy figure, for it is his effect on Daniel that is essential to the boy's development. Alive and colorful biblical fare in the well modulated manner of Elizabeth Speare.Elizabeth George Speare won the 1962 Newbery Medal for this magnificent novel of Daniel's tormented journey from a blind, confining hatred to his acceptance and understanding of love. Booklist called it "a dramatic, deeply felt narrative whose characters and message will be long remembered." Recommended for ages 9 and up.
BOOKLIST -- A dramatic, deeply felt narrative whose characters and message will long be remembered. Booklist, ALA
Promotion Idea
The main themes of this novel are friendship, loyalty, the idea of home, community, and love. A WebQuest lends itself perfectly to the type of cross-cultural and cross-curricular content of the storyline. A link to a WebQuest is located below, as well as, a literature unit and teacher resources.
Students could make a map on a large poster board of the area around Galilee. Red dotted lines could be used to show the different places Daniel travels in the novel.
Instead of the books that we are familiar with, scrolls were used to record events or information in Daniel's time. Students could make a scroll.
Instructions:
You will need two pieces of 1/2 inch dowel, 9 inches long. One sheet of brown paper 8 1/2 x 11. In the center of the brown paper, print out the words, "He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze." Next attach one dowel at the top of the brown paper and one at the bottom. Roll the top dowel down and the bottom dowel up until they meet in the middle. When opened, the words will appear.
The main themes of this novel are friendship, loyalty, the idea of home, community, and love. A WebQuest lends itself perfectly to the type of cross-cultural and cross-curricular content of the storyline. A link to a WebQuest is located below, as well as, a literature unit and teacher resources.
Students could make a map on a large poster board of the area around Galilee. Red dotted lines could be used to show the different places Daniel travels in the novel.
Instead of the books that we are familiar with, scrolls were used to record events or information in Daniel's time. Students could make a scroll.
Instructions:
You will need two pieces of 1/2 inch dowel, 9 inches long. One sheet of brown paper 8 1/2 x 11. In the center of the brown paper, print out the words, "He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze." Next attach one dowel at the top of the brown paper and one at the bottom. Roll the top dowel down and the bottom dowel up until they meet in the middle. When opened, the words will appear.