Given the turmoil in the Middle East today, The Bronze Bow's depiction of military oppression in ancient Palestine could spark a discussion of the current Palestine situation, as well as a more general discussion about human rights.

Even if the Romans did bring better sanitation, better roads, and wealth to a region that had been wracked by almost constant warfare, they also became the oppressors, and readers may want to address the major issues of oppression and the desire of people to be free.

The religious aspect of The Bronze Bow may be controversial. The novel is undeniably rooted in Christian theology, but its main concept is common to many religions and philosophies—that giving in to hatred is foolish. At the novel's end Daniel is not necessarily a converted believer in Christ; he is converted to Christ's way of thinking about love, hate, and...