BOOK REVIEW ILLUSTRATION: The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

The Bronze Bow Elizabeth George Speare September 1, 1997 254 pages 10-12 years Newbery Medal The book is a children’s historical novel as it revolves around the historical standpoint of the Romans. The 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 the Romans from his land of Israel. Daniel's father was killed in front of him, as an example, by the Roman occupiers. His uncle did not have money to pay the tax, so he was thrown in jail; when his father tried to break Daniel's uncle out of jail, they were both crucified. 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 and community. Through Jesus’s teachings, Daniel learns about love and hate. He learns that hate springs up a hundredfold. The author uses foreshadowing. For example, the crucifixion of Daniel's father foreshadows his mother's death from a broken heart. She also uses Imagery. Iimagery is very vivid and portrays a vibrant Galilee which enables the reader to imagine what life would have been like at the time for young people like David. Allusions is also seen in the novel. For example, the story alludes to the Roman government's brutality and their use of crucifixion as the punishment for even the smallest of infractions. The main theme of the story is Revenge. Daniel is very motivated by his anger at the deaths of his father and uncle, both of whom were crucified by the Romans and has to avenge them. The story is used in teaching language art. Show Less