The Bronze Bow (Paperback)

by Elizabeth George Speare (Author) "A BOY STOOD on the path of the mountain overlooking the sea..." (more)
Key Phrases: bronze bow, Song of David, Simon the Zealot

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"A dramatic, deeply felt narrative whose characters and message will long be remembered." -- Review

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"A dramatic, deeply felt narrative whose characters and message will long be remembered." Booklist, ALA

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Product Details Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: Sandpiper (September 1, 1997) Language: English ISBN-10: 0395137195 ISBN-13: 978-0395137192 Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (100 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,314 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #1 in  Books > Children's Books > Educational > Explore the World > Fiction > Middle East #1 in  Books > Children's Books > Religions > Christianity > Ages 9-12 #1 in  Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Prehistory

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First Sentence:
A BOY STOOD on the path of the mountain overlooking the sea. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
bronze bow

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Song of David, Simon the Zealot

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 1 book:

• Calico Captive by Elizabeth George Speare on page 255

 

40 books cite this book:

• Newbery and Caldecott Trivia and More for Every Day of the Year: by Claudette Hegel on 6 pages
• Quizzes for 220 Great Children's Books: The Quest Motivational Reading Program (Through Children's Literature) by Polly Jeanne Wickstrom on 4 pages
• Children's Literature for All God's Children by Virginia Thomas on page 9, page 39, and page 84
• Newberys & The Net: Thematic Technology Connections by Annette Lamb on page 112, page 218, and page 230
• Raising Good Children: From Birth Through The Teenage Years by Thomas Lickona on page 346, and Back Matter

See all 40 books citing this book

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Customer Reviews

100 Reviews 5 star:  (79) 4 star:  (12) 3 star:  (2) 2 star:  (2) 1 star:  (5)           Average Customer Review 4.6 out of 5 stars (100 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 84 of 87 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Still powerful, April 20, 2001 By  Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    This review is from: The Bronze Bow (Hardcover) I was first introduced to this book 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 to take care of his sister 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 him. Is he the Messiah sent to free them from the Romans? And will his sister ever recover? Ms. Speare was able to create a complex plot that is simple enough for her target age 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. I highly recommend this children's novel to readers of all ages. 64 of 68 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking, excellent historical perspective, November 11, 2001 By  A reader in Texas - See all my reviews I am an adult godfather always looking for good books for my young friends. This is one of my three best finds in years. (The others were The Witch of Blackbird Pond, also by Elizabeth Speare, and A Line In The Sand, the Alamo diary in the Dear America series.) The story is told in the time of Jesus in a village near where Jesus teaches those who come to hear him. Daniel, a young outcast, is sworn to fight the Romans with the goal of throwing them out of the land altogether. There are many other young men who want to do the same thing, but they need a leader. What they do, how they prepare, their speculation whether the new teacher Jesus may be that leader, and most of all, Daniel's struggles between his oath and what Jesus has said to him, are the story. This is not a religious book, though its end point is the second great commandment Jesus gave (Matthew 22:39). It is a book about life in the time, the unrest and resistance of many Jews to Roman rule, the confusion of many Jews looking for a military messiah trying to decide if Jesus could be that man. But more than that, it is like any other moral tale of any other time, a story of a man trying to decide what is the right thing for him to do. It is not simplistic, I'm 57 and I read it entirely, but neither is it difficult reading. I strongly recommend it for anyone from 9 years on. 35 of 38 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars It started out as a school project, but my view changed....., November 28, 1999 By A Customer This review is from: The Bronze Bow (Hardcover) When I first received the book in my grade eight class, I thought, oh man, another book that will have no affect on me whatsover, etc etc. I was wrong. Though it took quite a few chapters to find out what the bronze bow was, I definitely feel that it's one of the best books I've read. The author, Elizabeth George Speare, portrayed the characters, especially Daniel, very, very well. I couldn't put the book down! Soon it didn't become just a reading homework assignment. While reviewing the book and making up questions, I found it very interesting, the way love was shown. Jesus' love was quite evident and I loved the way Daniel was drawn to Him. As a Christian, I belive Jesus was portrayed very well. The plot was good, new problems peaking around every corner, and Samson really touched my heart :). I recommend it for anyone my age to 90! Also, in the book it shows that love can overcome war and hate that Daniel has towards the Romans. Hate can try to bend a bow of bronze (taken from a psalm of David, this was there "password"), but love does a much better job. :)		Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Can't judge it by the cover All my life I've had a tendancy to judge books by the cover. So when my mom first handed this book to me, I groaned. "This looks SO boring," I said. Read more Published 10 days ago by Rinnie 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical fiction for all ages Another excellent children's book by Elizabeth George Speare. I love how this book makes you feel as though you lived in the time of Christ. Read more Published 3 months ago by smlhatch 5.0 out of 5 stars Great read aloud book We are currently reading The Bronze Bow in Home school I am reading the book aloud to my 9 yr daughter and 11 yr son. Read more Published 4 months ago by granola and birks mom 5.0 out of 5 stars The Bronze Bow I wasn't sure what to expect from this book and was pleasently surprised to find it entertaining, enlightening and easy to read. Read more Published 6 months ago by Eileen Grant 2.0 out of 5 stars helping this book is about several people who tries to fight rome and one of them wants jesus to help but he doesnt Published 7 months ago 4.0 out of 5 stars Deeply moving and powerful adventure I don't think I have what one might call a huge interest in Jerusalem. I'm pretty religious and I enjoy studying the religion, but what mostly drew me to this book was not the... Read more Published 8 months ago by Emily Taylor 5.0 out of 5 stars Only one of my favorite books This has got to be one of the best books that I have read. It started out a little slow for me, but once I got into it, I really liked it. Read more Published 9 months ago by K. Read 5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars is not enough! There are a great deal of "Young Adult Fiction" books that I didn't get around to reading at the "right age." The Bronze Bow is one such book. Read more Published 11 months ago by lady victoria 5.0 out of 5 stars planning to read it again This is an interesting read for kids over the age of 10, and for adults as well. The main character depicts a Jewish teenager named Daniel, who is very disturbed over the Roman... Read more Published 13 months ago by shanthi madireddi dds 5.0 out of 5 stars Even better the second time around! I read this with two of my children a handful of years ago and just recently, for the second time, with my youngest. It's even better than I remembered! Read more Published 18 months ago by Nina Lake Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395137195
• ISBN-13: 978-0395137192
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (100 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,314 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Children's Books > Educational > Explore the World > Fiction > Middle East
  #1 in	Books > Children's Books > Religions > Christianity > Ages 9-12
  #1 in	Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Prehistory

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still powerful, April 20, 2001

By	Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Bronze Bow (Hardcover)

I was first introduced to this book 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 to take care of his sister 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 him. Is he the Messiah sent to free them from the Romans? And will his sister ever recover?

Ms. Speare was able to create a complex plot that is simple enough for her target age 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. I highly recommend this children's novel to readers of all ages.

64 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking, excellent historical perspective, November 11, 2001

By	A reader in Texas - See all my reviews

I am an adult godfather always looking for good books for my young friends. This is one of my three best finds in years. (The others were The Witch of Blackbird Pond, also by Elizabeth Speare, and A Line In The Sand, the Alamo diary in the Dear America series.)

The story is told in the time of Jesus in a village near where Jesus teaches those who come to hear him. Daniel, a young outcast, is sworn to fight the Romans with the goal of throwing them out of the land altogether. There are many other young men who want to do the same thing, but they need a leader. What they do, how they prepare, their speculation whether the new teacher Jesus may be that leader, and most of all, Daniel's struggles between his oath and what Jesus has said to him, are the story.

This is not a religious book, though its end point is the second great commandment Jesus gave (Matthew 22:39). It is a book about life in the time, the unrest and resistance of many Jews to Roman rule, the confusion of many Jews looking for a military messiah trying to decide if Jesus could be that man. But more than that, it is like any other moral tale of any other time, a story of a man trying to decide what is the right thing for him to do.

It is not simplistic, I'm 57 and I read it entirely, but neither is it difficult reading. I strongly recommend it for anyone from 9 years on.

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It started out as a school project, but my view changed....., November 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bronze Bow (Hardcover)

When I first received the book in my grade eight class, I thought, oh man, another book that will have no affect on me whatsover, etc etc. I was wrong. Though it took quite a few chapters to find out what the bronze bow was, I definitely feel that it's one of the best books I've read. The author, Elizabeth George Speare, portrayed the characters, especially Daniel, very, very well. I couldn't put the book down! Soon it didn't become just a reading homework assignment. While reviewing the book and making up questions, I found it very interesting, the way love was shown. Jesus' love was quite evident and I loved the way Daniel was drawn to Him. As a Christian, I belive Jesus was portrayed very well. The plot was good, new problems peaking around every corner, and Samson really touched my heart :). I recommend it for anyone my age to 90! Also, in the book it shows that love can overcome war and hate that Daniel has towards the Romans. Hate can try to bend a bow of bronze (taken from a psalm of David, this was there "password"), but love does a much better job. :)