A Book Report: The Bronze Bow

The Bronze Bow was written by Elizabeth George Speare. This book is about a boy who overcomes his weaknesses and learns to love his enemies. In this book, Elizabeth George Speare did not specifically tell the readers what happened at the end. She let her readers make up their own ending.

In the beginning of the story, Daniel has a passion to avenge his father’s death by killing the Roman soldiers and driving them out of Israel. Daniel joins an outlaw band living in the hills by his village. Many events cause him to return to his home and take care of his sister. The book takes place in a city in Israel near Capernaum. This book begins when Daniel is with his band up in the mountains. He meets a boy named Joel and his sister Malthace who have decided to visit the mountains, not knowing that a band of rebels lives up in the mountain caves. Later on, Daniel gets hurt and goes to live in a little room in the wall of Joel and Malthace’s house. In a nearby city, Jesus is teaching and preaching. Daniel is drawn to the rabbi and expects Jesus to join his band of outlaws, ready to strike the Romans. When Jesus declines Daniel’s invitation to join the band, Daniel is confused. In the end, he learns to trust in Jesus and love his Roman enemies. The book ends when Daniel comes back to his home to find Jesus healing his demon possessed sister. 

The main characters in The Bronze Bow are, Daniel, Joel, Malthace, Leah, and Jesus. Daniel is very insecure, angry, and bitter at the beginning of the book. As the book goes on, Daniel changes. He learns that forgiveness, not revenge, is the right answer to his inner turmoil. Daniel and Joel become very close friends. In one chapter, Joel is taken captive, and Daniel risks his life to set his friend free. By the end of the book, Daniel has also grown closer to Malthace (Thacia). Elizabeth George Speare writes, “He heard Thacia catch her breath, and turned and looked into her eyes. He knew he was not worthy of the gift he saw there, but he knew that at last he was free to offer her all that he had in return.” She makes it sound as if Daniel and Thacia have a future together, but she leaves that open for the readers to decide.

I liked how the author made it almost sounded as if the author was going to write a sequel or epilogue. I also liked how Daniel changed so much. It was amazing to see him turn from a boy bent on revenge for his parents’ death to a caring and forgiving young man.

My overall reading experience of this book was very entertaining and educational. I learned so much about the life of Jesus that I did not know before. I also learned how hard it was for the Israelites at the time that the Romans ruled over them. After reading this book, I recommended it to my grandmother and told her that it was a must read. So, yes – I would definitely recommend this book to others.

– By Leigh Collins