Rating: 
Summary: Must read for all ages
Review: This is a must read for all ages. This book was selected by a book club I just joined. I am so glad because I never would have read it otherwise--I would recommend this book to all ages (teen and above). After two or three pages I was loving it. The adventures of the zealots and the relationship Daniel has with his friends and family are interesting. This book is a fairly easy read and quick. I would pick it up and read every free moment. As mentioned in another review--you can really visualize the landscape, cities, people, etc
Rating:
Summary: It doesn't get any better than this...
Review: I'd recommend this book to just about everybody. The story is about Daniel, a young man who is as complex internally as he is straightforward externally. Never before have I been so able to relate with a character so far removed from my own sphere of experience. Speare's skill to draw me into Daniel's world amazed me.If you're worried that this is a book about Jesus or Christianity, don't be. Speare's accomplishment of writing a "religious" subject into a story without any hint of didacticism is the finest quality of this book and the greatest evidence of her skill as a writer. When I saw Jesus, it was through Daniel's eyes. And when I listened to Jesus' teachings, it was through the lens of Daniel's experience. And it all came alive.
Rating:
Summary: a young adult novel for all ages
Review: I teach Junior High School English and am constantly on the lookout for good YA novels. The Bronze Bow is everything a YA novel should be, and MORE! Daniel is a confused young man entering into manhood in the troubling times of the Roman Empire. He has been taught to hate Romans and to fight them whenever he can. When a friend invites him to hear a young preacher that people are beginning to follow, Daniel is troubled and confused by the message of love your enemy that Jesus preaches. Daniel also is burdened with a frail, dying grandmother and sister who is "possessed by demons." As the man of the family, he knows that he must leave his carefree life in the wilderness and return hom to care for them. When Daniel meets Joel and Thacia, his life begins to change as his friendship with them grows. The Bronze Bow makes the reader feel that he is a part of those times as it broadens the historical picture of the period. The book presents a wider view of Biblical times and the Jewish people and customs. Daniel's interaction with Joel and Thacia, his ill sister, the Roman soldiers, and even with the new preacher, Jesus, causes him to grow in ways that a young Jewish man of those times might actually have changed. The Bronze Bow is great reading not only for students, but also for anyone who is interested in a broader perspective of this period in history.
Rating:
Summary: A character-shaping, enriching and engrossing story!
Review: It has been about 30 years since I read this book, but I remember it well. It was thoroughly engrossing to my then-11-year-old mind, and had a huge, positive impact on me. Only a handful of books that I read in my childhood are remembered as fondly. It offered lessons in character, loyalty, standing up for one's beliefs and developing a sense of self and destiny -- and the story was a page-turner. I recommend it without hesitation.
Rating:
Summary: Historical Fiction With Heart
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I am a teacher and this novel is on our student's recommended reading list. A wonderful insight into Jewish life and culture during the Roman occupation. The main character is an intriguing look into the nature of a person consumed by anger and hate. He must reconcile his hatred of the Romans and desire to fight them with his growing understanding of the teachings of Jesus. An interesting look at everyday Jewish people at the time of Jesus- and their impressions of him as a man. A wonderful story of the power of love over hate.
Rating:
Summary: uplifts the young and the old.
Review: In my attempt to read all the Newberry Award winners I had put off reading The Bronze Bow. In fact it wasn't until I had read a few pages that I become throughly involved in the story of Daniel. I feel this book has much to give to readers of all ages. The messages of faith and endurance speak to all. I felt the writing and plot lines drew in the reader and made you feel like you were on the mountain with Daniel. The one thing I feared was that it would be a litle preachy, but Jesus was so human in this book that you could really concentrate on the messages that he was teaching. I recommend this book to those who want to feel their spirits lift with every turning of the page
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: It really started as a novel study and when I first looked at this book I thought my teacher was out of her mind. I really like it though now. It's more or less about a guy named Daniel. He and his friends wanted to fight the Romans. You've got to keep in mind as you read that this was the time before the Romans took over all of the Jewish places. Well, Daniel met Jesus one day and when Jesus told him to love the Romans, he was split more or less in two. Not literally. YOu see, Daniel's parents had been killed by the Romans and that Daniel took a vow. Well, disaster stroke and his possessed sister, Leah got ill because Danial got mad at her. So, when Jesus came to heal her Daniel seemed pretty greatful... Oh! Just read the book. I can't exactly explain, but the book is wonderful. I mean it is so good!
Rating:
Summary: A Book for Those in Touch with Their Religion
Review: This is book shows the hardships of a Jew under the rule of the Roman Empire and the fire in his young spirit. It takes place during the time when Jesus went around preaching. Very vivid and uplifting, this book will strengthen your faith.
Rating:
Summary: Adventure! Excitment! Anticipation!
Review: This book is very good. It is my most favorite book of all time! The book has none stop action, there is always something happening, never a spot to rest in. That's what I love in a book! Wrapping history in with the fictional parts of a story always adds to a book. This book includes Rome taking over Israel and the many who wanted to fight out against them and includes Jesus Christ and some of his teachings. Its so hard to put this book down!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I thought The Bronze Bow was a great book! It might take a few pages to get into the story and writing, but after that, I could not put it down! I stayed up late one night because I kept wanting to read 'just one more chapter' and see what was going to happen next. The book was very historically accurate, and I could picture everything in my mind as I was reading. The characters are fantastic; all unique and 3-dimensional, instead of the cardboard stereotypes that often pop up in historical fiction. The author also vividly caught the emotion and spirit of the times. You could feel Daniel's burning hatred of the Romans, as well as his struggle to treat his sister gently, so different from the rough way he was used to from living on the mountain. His varying--and sometimes grudging--forms of friendship with Joel, Thacia, Simon, Samson, were all as interesting to read about as the exciting adventures of the band of young Zealots. I also thought that Jesus was protrayed very realistically and accurately. I'd say that this book is well worth reading, especially for the wonderful, hopeful ending.
| 
