*Award Winner-John Newbery Medal-1962
Daniel hates the Romans. They crucified his father; his mother died weeks after; and his sister, who by accident saw his father's crucifixion, hasn't left the house since that horrific day. To escape a cruel master, Daniel leaves his sister with his grandmother and joins a band of outlaws in the hills. When his grandmother dies, he returns home to care for his fragile sister and slowly begins to form a group of boys to fight the Romans. Then he hears a man named Jesus teach and is drawn to him. Is Jesus the promised Messiah who will end the Roman rule? Much to his disappointment Jesus tells him to love his enemies. Will his hatred consume him and destroy all of his relationships, including the ones with his new friends Joel and Malthace?
This book brings this time period in history alive and reveals the tension between the Jews and Romans and how revolutionary and transforming Jesus' teachings were.
We listened to the book via audio. My boys did not care for the narrator (she didn't change her voice for girls vs. boys), but the compelling story soon overtook that negative aspect. Usually audio books are reserved for the van, but they begged to listen to this book during lunchtime, before bed or any down time we had!
Well developed characters and exciting plot.
A book that promotes deeper thinking and meaningful discussion.
**Highly, highly recommend.
Points to discuss/warnings: The outlaws steal, hurt and even kill Israelites and Romans; some of Daniel's friends die; some romantic attractions
*Book is considered "young adult".
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