Joel: A Boy of Galilee

by Annie Fellows Johnston, L.J. Bridgman (Illustrator)

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Classics, Childrens, Christian Fiction, Jewish, Christian

202 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1895

About the author

Annie Fellows Johnston (1863-1931) was an American author of children's fiction who wrote the popular "Little Colonel" series, which was the basis for the 1935 Shirley Temple film The Little Colonel. She was born and grew up in McCutchanville, Indiana, a small unincorporated town near Evansville, Indiana.

Reviews

[Debbie Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a precious story of a boy named Joel’s physically and spiritually transformed life due to his faith in the Master. The story is set during the time of Christ and is Scripturally sound.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the way the book puts you into the perspective of a crippled boy living during the time of Jesus. Wonderful way to see him work through anger, love, forgiveness, and faith. Looking forward to reading this with my kiddos. 7/5/15

[forthefamilyssake Hailey White · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy, interesting, encouraging, thought provoking read. This familiar story from a young boys perspective was reminiscent of the Advent books of Amon's adventure. Looking forward to reading it with the kids.

[Rachel Vroom · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is such a beautiful story!

[Angie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting retelling of the life of Jesus given mostly through the eyes of Joel, a young crippled boy. I enjoyed it for the most part, although it's obviously targeted at a younger audience.

A few minor gripes--

It was a little jarring when the story moved into narrating actual biblical events, mostly because the King James English didn't fit with the tone and style of the rest of the story. I understand why it was done this way, especially since there weren't any other translations available at the time it was written, but it still made me feel a little detached from the story.

I would have liked some more characterization/getting to see more of Joel's struggles in places. There were a couple of incidents that I thought could have been a lot deeper, but I understand that that wasn't really the purpose of the book.

3.5 stars

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this retelling of the story in the Gospels of Jesus. I thought the author did well to create believable events in Joel’s life where he would hear about Jesus’ life, such as the visit to shepherds where he heard about the firsthand story of the announcement from the angels about Jesus’ birth. Also, believable situations where he met those who were healed and then of his own healing.
If I could find a copy of this book, I would add it to the collection I have for reading to children, (possibly grandchildren?).

I listened to an audio recording by Librivox. The girl who read the story was very well suited. But when it started to come to the events of Holy Week, she became so excited that she read very fast! This made it extremely difficult to keep up with the story.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful to read!

This is a fictional tale written in a very real historical setting that brings to life the daily goings on for a young crippled boy who meets Jesus. It is colorful in the description of what life was like back then. I enjoyed it very much .

[Daniela Bejarano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joel es un niño que pudo ser cualquiera durante el ministerio de Jesús, pero a la vez pudo ser cualquiera de nosotros en algún momento de nuestras vidas. La narración es fluida y con fuertes bases históricas, es inspiradora, llena de esperanza. Ver a Jesús a través de sus ojos fue refrescante.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of Christ

Well written little story about a boy who believes in the Christ and is healed. His adoration encourages him to follow Christ all his life.

[cleda bulger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Young Boys Meeting With The Master

This book chronicles life and death of Jesus Christ through the eyes of a little crippled boy named Joel. It is a great read for everyone.

[Jesse Thomas Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little story set in the time of Christ. Very readable and also tugs on the heart-strings. Recommended for teenage Christian readers and adults alike!

[Danette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read to my children at lunch.

[Pedro Campelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really Nice this book that tells the life of a boy um galilee but It could have more battles and adventures to be more interesting

[Rapp]

Joel, Boy of Galilee is a story about a young boy growing up in Galilee during the years of Jesus' ministry. Crippled by another boy's meanness, Joel is unable to take part in the priestly calling of his Jewish tribe, Levi. In his bitterness, he vows vengeance. Annie Fellows Johnston brings her reader to accompany Joel on his journey to both forgiveness and healing as he, his mentor Rabbi Phineas, and others follow Jesus' footsteps.
In her book, Johnston weaves together many stories from the Gospels to make the Bible come alive for young readers.
I think this book will be enjoyed by readers in the preteens and teens, and perhaps could be a tool in family devotionals. Lamplighter Publishing has made this book available in a handsome edition in their Rare Collector's Series.

[Julia Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read this book again and fell more in love with it. It takes place around the time of Jesus' ministry. The main character is a crippled Jewish-levite boy named Joel. Bitter and wanting revenge on a Samaritan boy named Rehum who caused the event in which Joel is crippled, Joel can't wait 'till the day when he can "pay back" Rehum, for Joel, being a levite, was to have been a priest in the great temple at Jerusalem, but no one blemished in anyway can become a priest. The tide turns when he finally meets the Messiah and becomes healed, both from his crippling and his inward hate towards Rehum.

[Matthew Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was geared toward a young audience when first written, and there are definite undertones of that now. The original audience was probably around 8 years old, although today the reading level is probably more suited for a 10 to 12 year old. With that said, the message of the book is strong. I am always cautious when reading biblical fiction because there is so much room for the author to commit errors and deviate from the message of the Bible, but that doesn't happen in any obvious way throughout this book. I enjoyed it, even if the writing itself is awkward and clunky at times. It's important to remember the audience that the author had in mind!

[Janet Bird]

Mine is an old hardback with palm trees on the front published by Edward Arnold 37 Bedford Street Strand WC b/w plates exquisite book with advertisements at the back and b/w platelets. No date that I can see. Fascinating book and I will read it at some point, (copyright in USA 1895 by Roberts Bros)

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Puts you right there with Jesus as He walked the earth. Joel learns about forgiveness directly from the Savior. I love these amazing books written in the 1800's and early 1900's for children.

[Taneil · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not as impressed as I had hoped I would be with this book. It was a decent book, and it told the story of Christ in sweet and simple way, but for some reason it just didn't grab me. I would probably reccommend it for younger audiences.

[John LaFountain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good integration of Biblical Characters!!!

Enjoyable and eye opening. Good depiction of cultures, laws, customs and society in general. Anyone who likes theology willie this book.

[Abigail Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was 10 years old. All the Lamplighter books I've read are good read aloud books.

[Hailey Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book was absolutely incredible. Everyone should read this books...it gave me a totally different perspective of Jesus' time on earth.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️

[ESH read · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a bit biased to write a review on this book, as I'm its translator. However, I totally recommend it!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aloud to Anna.