The Hittite Warrior - by Joanne Williamson

Judea has always been the crossroads and battlefield of contending nations. It is no less so in this biblical time of the Judges. Uriah Tarhund's Hittite home is destroyed by invading Greeks. His dying father tells him to go south to seek a Canaanite named Sisera. "He will help you. For my sake. . . ." Uriah is plunged into the tumult of an uneasy Judea. When he saves a young boy from being sacrificed to Moloch, he is given succor for a time by the Hebrews. Later, he finds Sisera and joins him in war against these same people. When the Canaanites are defeated, the young Hittite has the opportunity to come to peace with himself, the Hebrew people and their God.

5 stars

I first read this book back in middle school. I was young, and annoyed that I had to read a historical fiction book instead of a fantasy, and on top of that I had to write a report on it! Nah, just kidding, I liked writing reports. But that's not the point. This book is well written and really reaches out to that 9 - 13 years-old audience. It's history about a culture we don't know much about with a bible story thrown into the background. The story of Deborah. I had heard about this bible story but never knew much about it. The Hittite Warrior cleared that up for me. But the real story is about a young Hittite who has been hiding and on the run ever since his father was murdered before his eyes. It's an entertaining book filled with the drama of the time period, giving you glimpses into the world of the Hittites, Egyptians, and Israelites. You will learn many things from this book, especially about what it was like to be an Israelite hiding in the hills and of course the epic journey of Uriah. So I hope you join Uriah on his journey, your time will be well spent.