“We can never know,” Simon answered slowly. “God hides the future from man’s eyes. We are forced to choose, not knowing. I have chosen Jesus.”
― Elizabeth George Speare, The Bronze Bow

This is the second book for which author Elizabeth George Speare won the Newbery Award. Her first book was set in 1600s Massachusetts. In this book, she goes back much further in time to the first century in Galilee, Israel. Daniel is eight years old when the Romans crucify his father and uncle. He also loses his mother when she dies of grief. As a result, Daniel hates the Romans and as he grows, he is determined to avenge his father’s death. As he becomes more and more involved in plans to overthrow the Romans, he also begins to hear more of Jesus of Nazareth who is developing a following. Daniel does not understand Jesus’ message of love and forgiveness but as events and tragedy unfold, he realizes his hate is making things worse and that Jesus had the right idea all along.

This is a powerful book whose message of love and forgiveness continues to be relevant.

Content Advisory: violence, death, death of parents

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