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Slave Boy in Judea
Captured by Romans in the forests of Gaul, Madoc is sold as a slave to a Roman centurion stationed in Judea. Though he is not a hard master, Madoc is determined to escape and find his mother. However, the story takes a turn when Madoc and his master meet followers of Jesus and hear about the new way of living he taught.
177 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 9, 2021
Read this in 15 page increments to go along with our history unit on Ancient Israel. It was just enough each time but also very hard to stop reading because it was so interesting and I always wanted to know what happened next. I'm not sure I've read historical fiction set shortly after the life of Jesus Christ and it brought a lot of interesting perspective and thought to me as I read and discussed this with my 9 yr old. The idea of a Roman centurion hearing about Christianity and this "new way" that is so different from the many gods of the Roman religion was very interesting. Also the way slavery worked. I ached for Madoc and his deep desire to just let his mother know he was ok and to have hope and yet to not fight against his situation unnecessarily. I thought it was realistic that he tried the "new way" and yet doubted it too when things didn't work how he expected in his mind they should. A well rounded story with lessons, insights, and events that make you want to keep reading to see how it will turn out.
January 14, 2025
read for school
such a cute ending!!
such a cute ending!!
August 31, 2023
“Slave Boy in Judea”, by Josephine Sanger Lau, follows the story of Madoc, a Gallic slave who is separated from his mother during capture. During the book, he makes many attempts to escape his master, Cornelius and find his mother (in the Roman slave market, during Madoc’s and Cornelius’s travels, etc.). The book also shows a glimpse of how early Christianity spread. In the story, Madoc would often talk of Christianity with his writing tutor, Orestes. Overall, this is a solid book. I’d give it four out of five stars, since it doesn’t fit my genre tastes. I would recommend it to anyone who likes to study history or Christianity, since this book is almost entirely composed of those two aspects.
January 25, 2021
Such great stories/lessons taught in this book:
1. Thou shalt worship the true and living God-
p.64-65 As he wrote, he pondered the strange thing that the Greek had said. "Only one God over all the world--"
Finally, he sat back with a sigh. "Sir," he inquire, "are there not many gods in your land, as in mine?"
"There are images of stone and marble and bronze," Orestes agreed. "But God is not in them. He is a living God, who cares for his people and hears their prayers. His words have been preserved for us in the holy writings."
Here indeed was a new thing! Madoc was amazed. "Tell me about these writings. Mabon the sun-god does not speak. Indeed, I am not sure that he hears me when I pray."
The Greek replied sternly, "It is the living God who has made the sun--and the moon and the stars as well. Every good gift is from him."
Madoc's mouth dropped open. Finally, he whispered, "Is a slave permitted to hear these holy writings?"
"No man is a slave in the sight of God," Orestes replied in a lowered tone. He glanced quickly toward the house, then went on, "Hear now a song of one of God's faithful followers. He was a king in this land many years ago."
Madoc laid down his stylus. He watched the face of the old man who repeated softly, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
Madoc had tended sheep on the hillsides of this homeland. He knew of the care that a good shepherd gives his sheep. He listened closely until Orestes concluded: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
2. Jesus taught a new way of living, even forgiving our enemies-
p.74 "About fifty years ago the promised Savior came to this land of Judea. His name was Jesus. He taught a new way--a good way of living. A way of forgiveness to all who have wronged us. Remember, my son, that I, too, have been a salve to the Romans. I shall pray that you and your master may return safely--because I am a follower of the new Way."
3. Words from a shepherd who was there the night the Savior was born-
p.125 "I was a lad," he said," living in Bethlehem on the night that our Savior was born."
He got up and threw more bush into the fire. Then he sat down and stared into the heart of the flames. "Those of us who were there will never forget. Think you that we who have seen and known a living Savior could ever look upon an image, or into the face of a sinful man, and call him God?"
4. Blessings come to those who are honest-
p.147-148 Orestes reached out to touch his knee. "No good ever grows out of wrong, my son. You have told me that you are a follower of the Way. Have you asked God to help you decide?"
Madoc shook his head. "It is of no use. Though it burns in my stomach like a fire of thorns, I yet must do the wrong."
"What is this sin that you would do?"
Madoc's body sagged. He whispered, "I have stolen from my master's purse two denarii, and now I must steal eve more from the poor!"
"That you may not do, my son. Give back what you have taken from the purse of Cornelius, and steal no more. It is written in the law of God: 'Thou shalt not steal.' "
Madoc swayed on the stone beach. So the matter had been decided for him? He lifted dull eyes to meet the pitying gaze of his teacher. "If I do not, then all my planning must come to nothing, and my mother--" his body shook with helpless sobs.
Orestes reached out his arm to steady the heaving shoulders. "You have not told me, how much it is that you planned to steal."
"I must have five denarrii." Madoc's voice sank to a whisper. "But you are right, my lord, I cannot take it."
The old man's body seemed to swell with the long breath that he drew into his lungs. "Lad, lad, I have it."
Bony fingers probed into his own flat purse. "Give back what you have already taken! Here, count it! Two, three, five denarii. The generous wage that your good master has paid me!'
Madoc looked down at the silver coins in his open palm. All at once his face grew read with delight. His fingers closed over the money. "You--you give it to me?"
Orestes patted his flat stomach. "See! Your teacher grows fat with much eating, my son! I need not eat so much. Take the money, with God's blessing."
Madoc mumbled. "I fear I should not--but I know that I must!" Suddenly he dropped to his knees and kissed the hands of his friend.
1. Thou shalt worship the true and living God-
p.64-65 As he wrote, he pondered the strange thing that the Greek had said. "Only one God over all the world--"
Finally, he sat back with a sigh. "Sir," he inquire, "are there not many gods in your land, as in mine?"
"There are images of stone and marble and bronze," Orestes agreed. "But God is not in them. He is a living God, who cares for his people and hears their prayers. His words have been preserved for us in the holy writings."
Here indeed was a new thing! Madoc was amazed. "Tell me about these writings. Mabon the sun-god does not speak. Indeed, I am not sure that he hears me when I pray."
The Greek replied sternly, "It is the living God who has made the sun--and the moon and the stars as well. Every good gift is from him."
Madoc's mouth dropped open. Finally, he whispered, "Is a slave permitted to hear these holy writings?"
"No man is a slave in the sight of God," Orestes replied in a lowered tone. He glanced quickly toward the house, then went on, "Hear now a song of one of God's faithful followers. He was a king in this land many years ago."
Madoc laid down his stylus. He watched the face of the old man who repeated softly, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
Madoc had tended sheep on the hillsides of this homeland. He knew of the care that a good shepherd gives his sheep. He listened closely until Orestes concluded: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
2. Jesus taught a new way of living, even forgiving our enemies-
p.74 "About fifty years ago the promised Savior came to this land of Judea. His name was Jesus. He taught a new way--a good way of living. A way of forgiveness to all who have wronged us. Remember, my son, that I, too, have been a salve to the Romans. I shall pray that you and your master may return safely--because I am a follower of the new Way."
3. Words from a shepherd who was there the night the Savior was born-
p.125 "I was a lad," he said," living in Bethlehem on the night that our Savior was born."
He got up and threw more bush into the fire. Then he sat down and stared into the heart of the flames. "Those of us who were there will never forget. Think you that we who have seen and known a living Savior could ever look upon an image, or into the face of a sinful man, and call him God?"
4. Blessings come to those who are honest-
p.147-148 Orestes reached out to touch his knee. "No good ever grows out of wrong, my son. You have told me that you are a follower of the Way. Have you asked God to help you decide?"
Madoc shook his head. "It is of no use. Though it burns in my stomach like a fire of thorns, I yet must do the wrong."
"What is this sin that you would do?"
Madoc's body sagged. He whispered, "I have stolen from my master's purse two denarii, and now I must steal eve more from the poor!"
"That you may not do, my son. Give back what you have taken from the purse of Cornelius, and steal no more. It is written in the law of God: 'Thou shalt not steal.' "
Madoc swayed on the stone beach. So the matter had been decided for him? He lifted dull eyes to meet the pitying gaze of his teacher. "If I do not, then all my planning must come to nothing, and my mother--" his body shook with helpless sobs.
Orestes reached out his arm to steady the heaving shoulders. "You have not told me, how much it is that you planned to steal."
"I must have five denarrii." Madoc's voice sank to a whisper. "But you are right, my lord, I cannot take it."
The old man's body seemed to swell with the long breath that he drew into his lungs. "Lad, lad, I have it."
Bony fingers probed into his own flat purse. "Give back what you have already taken! Here, count it! Two, three, five denarii. The generous wage that your good master has paid me!'
Madoc looked down at the silver coins in his open palm. All at once his face grew read with delight. His fingers closed over the money. "You--you give it to me?"
Orestes patted his flat stomach. "See! Your teacher grows fat with much eating, my son! I need not eat so much. Take the money, with God's blessing."
Madoc mumbled. "I fear I should not--but I know that I must!" Suddenly he dropped to his knees and kissed the hands of his friend.
January 11, 2023
This book is about a European boy, Madoc, who was previously free, but then sold into slavery about 50 AD and brought to another part of the Roman Empire (Judea). His master is a Centurion named Cornelius. Both master and slave had been worshippers of various gods, but being in Judea, they were introduced to Christianity.
I thought it was interesting to see how some concepts which seem normal to the world today were portrayed as radical ideas that were unheard of. It's also interesting that the Christian way was attractive and drawing. These radical concepts include forgiveness rather than getting even, loving enemies, giving alms, having a day of rest (rather than working every day with no day off).
As expected by the book's title, slavery was prominent back then. However, I had never read anything about how people thought about that. It's a long time before emancipation of slaves would become a popular idea, but individually, slavery wasn't necessarily permanent. I appreciated the consistency with the Bible, Exodus 21, which talks about boring an awl in a slave's ear as an indication of permanent slavery. It was interesting that slaves came from different places and races: white Europeans as well as dark Africans.
When I began reading this book, I didn't expect it to tie directly into the Bible. However, I couldn't ignore the fact that in Chapter 9, the centurion Cornelius goes to Joppa and asks for a man named Simon, a tanner. So, I compared this to Acts Chapter 10 in the Bible. Is this the same Cornelius? The Bible Cornelius visits Simon the tanner in Joppa, bringing two of his household servants after having had a vision and then became the first baptized gentle. With so much similarity, I was baffled that this book's Cornelius is not consistent with it. This book's Cornelius had only one rather than both servants with him to visit Simon the tanner, never meets Peter, never mentions being baptized, is introduced to Christianity in a way that is evident that there were already gentle converts at the time. The apparent coincidence of the same name took away some of my enjoyment of the book because I kept waiting for the Bible story to happen. Why not name the character differently to eliminate the confusion then?
Another thing that threw me off is the book cover. Who is pictured on the cover of the book? It shows a boy with dark hair and medium skin. The book describes Madoc as having pale skin with freckles and yellow hair.
The version of the book I read was published by The Good and the Beautiful. On the title page, it says "This unabridged version has updated grammar and spelling". I'm not sure if that update created typos, or if it merely didn't correct them. There are typos on pages 116 and 167. (p.116 "All at once Madoc realize it was because they were uncertain." should be "...realized...") (p. 167 "xMadoc hurried home." X doesn't belong.)
I thought it was interesting to see how some concepts which seem normal to the world today were portrayed as radical ideas that were unheard of. It's also interesting that the Christian way was attractive and drawing. These radical concepts include forgiveness rather than getting even, loving enemies, giving alms, having a day of rest (rather than working every day with no day off).
As expected by the book's title, slavery was prominent back then. However, I had never read anything about how people thought about that. It's a long time before emancipation of slaves would become a popular idea, but individually, slavery wasn't necessarily permanent. I appreciated the consistency with the Bible, Exodus 21, which talks about boring an awl in a slave's ear as an indication of permanent slavery. It was interesting that slaves came from different places and races: white Europeans as well as dark Africans.
When I began reading this book, I didn't expect it to tie directly into the Bible. However, I couldn't ignore the fact that in Chapter 9, the centurion Cornelius goes to Joppa and asks for a man named Simon, a tanner. So, I compared this to Acts Chapter 10 in the Bible. Is this the same Cornelius? The Bible Cornelius visits Simon the tanner in Joppa, bringing two of his household servants after having had a vision and then became the first baptized gentle. With so much similarity, I was baffled that this book's Cornelius is not consistent with it. This book's Cornelius had only one rather than both servants with him to visit Simon the tanner, never meets Peter, never mentions being baptized, is introduced to Christianity in a way that is evident that there were already gentle converts at the time. The apparent coincidence of the same name took away some of my enjoyment of the book because I kept waiting for the Bible story to happen. Why not name the character differently to eliminate the confusion then?
Another thing that threw me off is the book cover. Who is pictured on the cover of the book? It shows a boy with dark hair and medium skin. The book describes Madoc as having pale skin with freckles and yellow hair.
The version of the book I read was published by The Good and the Beautiful. On the title page, it says "This unabridged version has updated grammar and spelling". I'm not sure if that update created typos, or if it merely didn't correct them. There are typos on pages 116 and 167. (p.116 "All at once Madoc realize it was because they were uncertain." should be "...realized...") (p. 167 "xMadoc hurried home." X doesn't belong.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2020
Read this for homeschool with my kids. Juvenile historical fiction with just the right amount of detail to learn about the setting and times. An innocent idealistic boy from Gaul is sold into slavery and taken across the sea far from his mother who has also been enslaved. He is fortunate to have a kind hearted centurion as his master and is educated. He goes through emotional struggles as he yearns to communicate with his mother and physical trials. There is some foreshadowing near the end of the book that makes the conclusion known to the older kids but my 9 year old was still surprised. I loved the good morals and values taught in this story as each character grew as they were influenced by others who crossed their path.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2020
Amazing story of life in the Middle East 50 yrs after Christ died on the cross. Great story of how one person sharing their faith and loving their enemies can make all the difference while learning about life back in those times.
January 17, 2024
This children’s book had the neatest point of view. If you are a Christian, this little chapter book is a must read for your children. It offers amazing insight through character’s plight on forgiveness and hardship. I’m going to pass this book to my mother to read next!
November 18, 2020
We read this aloud together for our History course and it was a fantastic historical fiction novel that taught us about the early Christianity time period. It was an uplifting read.
August 9, 2021
I loved this book! It brought history alive for me. This will be a great addition for my middle-school students to read in world history.
January 11, 2022
This story could have been stronger and better-paced, but it was suspenseful and interesting, and I was very impressed with the detailed historical research that went into it.
March 13, 2022
Enjoyed reading and learning about life shortly after Christ's death. Story highlights values and decision making, loyalty, for a growing slave boy.
April 4, 2022
Read it for school when we were studying ancient history. Was a good story to tie in with it.
July 19, 2023
Lovely story. Probably would have gone with 5 stars if it wasn't for some of the depiction of the African slave's mindset.
September 22, 2023
My girls did not like this book at all. They said it was boring and confusing. And it was a little difficult to read aloud to them.
December 4, 2023
We did this as a read aloud and my kids loved it. They both give it 5 stars.
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January 18, 2024it was a great suspenseful thriller. i would be interested in other books simular.
October 2, 2024
Read to kids. Average rating between them is 4 stars.
March 6, 2025
I read this to my boys. It was great! I love "the new good way"!
September 17, 2019
This was a marvelous historical fiction book that taught about the ancient Roman empire, Jewish history, and the history of slavery. Even though it dealt with possibly sensitive topics, I felt comfortable giving this to my children to read. Not only were we all entertained, but we learned a lot too.
January 14, 2026
We read this book aloud over a several months long unit of our homeschool history course. It had a good story, taught some great lessons, and helped us gain a new perspective about the time period.
(Note for myself - second marked reading is a placeholder for a different book not found on goodreads, of similar length and reading level)
(Note for myself - second marked reading is a placeholder for a different book not found on goodreads, of similar length and reading level)
June 27, 2019
Great read aloud to go with our history unit! Engaging story and a good amount of details about life back then.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews