Ezra

In this novel, Ezra, the son of the apostle Peter, is an active member of a fisherman's family living in ancient Capernaum, where Jesus stayed while on Earth, teaching and preaching. Twelve-year-old Ezra is a working member of the family, typical of boys his age. He is excited about traveling with his family and Jesus as they walk about the vast area. A shepherd, he is responsible for the care of the family's animals, sheep and an ornery goat, and other assigned duties. He is intelligent, hard-working, and anxious to learn about Jesus. He becomes a successful eavesdropper. Of course there are conflicts. He secretly befriends a Roman boy, enemy to all Jews at the time. Their developing friendship is important to both boys. Life at that time was difficult for young people, but there were also many happy times as well as problems. The actions and incidents are based on extensive research of the Bible and many other historic references concerning the ancient world. Only Ezra as the imaginary character with the events and incidents with Jesus are a figment of the author's imagination. It could easily have happened to a boy at that time.