Set in Judea at the time of Jesus' adulthood, this Newberry Medal winner shows Daniel bar Jamin's battle between the power of virtue and love, for himself and his country. Although a fictional book, this piece reflects great historical accuracy. It also shows what it was like for most Galileans who grew up during the time of Roman rule. Showing strong hatred towards all Romans, Daniel is tested for his loyalty to his country and for doing what is right. Orphaned at a very young age, Daniel and his sister Leah were taken in by their grandmother. His grandmother, not having enough income to meet all their needs, sells Daniel to the town blacksmith, Amalek. Daniel worked for Amalek for five years, but being frequently mistreated, he fled to the hills of Galilee to join a rebel group led by a Rosh fanatic. Daniel having been trained as a blacksmith is adopted as the rebels' blacksmith on the mountain. There he fulfilled his dream of luring the Romans out of Galilee. One day, Daniel is greeted by a brother and sister who have decided to visit the mountain, without knowing that a band of rebels lived there. Daniel chats with them and asks them about the village he left five years earlier. Then one of the men from Rosh's rebel group, Ebol came and said that Rosh had the task of getting a very big slave that Rosh wanted. After Daniel tells the brother and sister, Joel and Malthace, to leave immediately, they refuse and Joel hides his sister behind a rock while Joel goes with Daniel. After receiving the Rosh signal, Daniel and Joel take the balm and bring it to Rosh. Joel now speaks to Rosh, telling him that he is moving to the city of Capernaum where there is a great Roman gift. Rosh asks Joel to find out everything he can and send information...... middle of paper ...... friends Daniel and a hidden gang of city boys rushed to the help Joel and saved him, but with many casualties. One of them was Samson who saved Daniel by sacrificing his own life. Then one evening, Daniel came home and discovered that his sister Leah had welcomed a Roman into their home. He was outraged and angry with Léa. After that, Lea ate nothing and was about to die when finally Thacia brought Jesus to their home and healed Lea. The story ends to let the reader decide what happens next. For example, Elizabeth George Speare writes: “He heard Thacia catch her breath, then turned and looked into her eyes. He knew he wasn't worthy of the gift he saw there, but he knew he was finally free to give her everything he had in return. She makes it seem like Daniel and Thacia have a future together, but again, she leaves it up to the reader to decide..