The Bronze Bow

• Genre: Fiction; middle grade historical
• Originally Published: 1961
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 760L; grades 5-8
• Structure/Length: 24 chapters; approx. 256 pages; approx. 7 hours, 42 minutes on audio
• Protagonist and Central Conflict: Daniel, a Jewish teenager living in Galilee in the first century CE, yearns to overthrow the Romans after they murder his father. His search for vengeance causes more pain and death, but the preacher Jesus sends a message of love.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Slavery; violent death of a parent

Elizabeth George Speare, Author

• Bio: 1908-1994; raised in Massachusetts; attended Smith College and Boston University; taught high school English; began writing historical fiction for young people after marrying and raising a family; earned her first Newbery Medal for The Witch of Blackbird Pond (1959); received the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award (now the Children’s Literature Legacy Award; 1989)
• Other Works: Calico Captive (1957); The Witch of Blackbird Pond (1958); The Prospering (for adults; 1967); The Sign of the Beaver (1983)
• Awards: Newbery Medal (1962)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

• Love Is Stronger Than Hate
• The Coming of God’s Kingdom
• Jewish Law and Humanity

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:

• Develop an understanding of the cultural, historical, and geographical contexts regarding Roman-occupied Israel and its influence on Daniel’s conflict.