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Elizabeth George Speare won the 1962 Newbery Medal for this magnificent novel of a young man's tormented journey from a blind, confining hatred to an acceptance and understanding of love. After witnessing his father's crucifixion by Roman soldiers, Daniel bar Jamin is motivated by a single passion: to avenge his father's death by driving the Roman legions from the land of Israel. But his heart leads him elsewhere as he is drawn to the teachings of the rabbi Jesus of Nazareth. Disappointed and confused by Jesus' lack of action in opposing the Romans, Daniel reverts to his path of destruction, threatening not only himself, but all those he loves, until a miracle stops him in his tracks. Recommended for grade 9. 1989, Houghton Mifflin Co. 254 pp.
