Shield of the Maccabees
So what if Jonathan is Jewish and Jason is Greek — who says they can’t be best friends?
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What the Book Is About
Jewish Content & Values
Positive Role Models
Content Advisory
Talk It Over
What the Book Is About
Jonathan, who’s Jewish, and Jason, who’s Greek, are from the Judean town of Sebaste. When Jonathan saves Jason from some bullies in the Jewish quarter, they develop a beautiful friendship, studying philosophy at Jason’s Greek school and celebrating Shabbat with Jonathan’s family. Then King Antiochus issues terrible decrees against the Jewish community, sparking riots and the Maccabee revolt. The ensuing devastation drives the boys apart… until they meet again on the battlefield. This sweet and entertaining graphic novel shows the power of friendship alongside the destruction of war.
Jewish Content & Values
- The plot is completely based on the story of Hanukkah; the book introduces the Jewish heroes Judah and Elazar as well as historical details from the Maccabee rebellion and the miracle of the oil.
- Jonathan’s family celebrates Shabbat and Purim, inviting Jason along and sharing the story of how Queen Esther saved the Jewish people.
- Jonathan talks about stories from the Bible and Jewish legend, such as King David and Goliath and Jonah and the big fish.
Positive Role Models
- Jonathan is kind and stands up for what’s right. Even though he doesn’t know Jason, he sticks up for him when Jason is attacked by bullies.
- Jason is a good and loyal friend and welcomes Jonathan into his Greek school. He refuses to fight Jonathan when they meet in the battlefield.
Content Advisory
Jason and Jonathan engage in a street fight against bullies, and both fight in skirmishes between Greeks and Jews. It’s cartoon style violence and not graphic. There’s also some detail about the destruction caused by war, including illustrations of synagogues and libraries destroyed.
Talk It Over
Jonathan and Jason find an old idol figurine while hiking, and it brings up differences in how they worship as Greeks and Jews and causes an argument. Do you have friends that come from backgrounds that are different from yours? Do you ever talk about your differences? Why or why not?
What the Book Is About
What the Book Is About
Jonathan, who’s Jewish, and Jason, who’s Greek, are from the Judean town of Sebaste. When Jonathan saves Jason from some bullies in the Jewish quarter, they develop a beautiful friendship, studying philosophy at Jason’s Greek school and celebrating Shabbat with Jonathan’s family. Then King Antiochus issues terrible decrees against the Jewish community, sparking riots and the Maccabee revolt. The ensuing devastation drives the boys apart… until they meet again on the battlefield. This sweet and entertaining graphic novel shows the power of friendship alongside the destruction of war.
Jewish Content & Values
Jewish Content & Values
- The plot is completely based on the story of Hanukkah; the book introduces the Jewish heroes Judah and Elazar as well as historical details from the Maccabee rebellion and the miracle of the oil.
- Jonathan’s family celebrates Shabbat and Purim, inviting Jason along and sharing the story of how Queen Esther saved the Jewish people.
- Jonathan talks about stories from the Bible and Jewish legend, such as King David and Goliath and Jonah and the big fish.
Positive Role Models
Positive Role Models
- Jonathan is kind and stands up for what’s right. Even though he doesn’t know Jason, he sticks up for him when Jason is attacked by bullies.
- Jason is a good and loyal friend and welcomes Jonathan into his Greek school. He refuses to fight Jonathan when they meet in the battlefield.
Content Advisory
Content Advisory
Jason and Jonathan engage in a street fight against bullies, and both fight in skirmishes between Greeks and Jews. It’s cartoon style violence and not graphic. There’s also some detail about the destruction caused by war, including illustrations of synagogues and libraries destroyed.
Talk It Over
Talk It Over
Jonathan and Jason find an old idol figurine while hiking, and it brings up differences in how they worship as Greeks and Jews and causes an argument. Do you have friends that come from backgrounds that are different from yours? Do you ever talk about your differences? Why or why not?
