Java - JDBC alternatives

this is just theoretical question.

I use JDBC with my Java applications for using database (select, insert, update, delete or whatever). I make "manually" Java classes which will contain data from DB tables (attribute = db column). Then I make queries (ResultSet) and fill those classes with data. I am not sure, if this is the right way.

But I've read lot of about JDO and another persistence solutions.

Can someone please recommend the best used JDBC alternatives, based on their experience?

I would also like to know the advantages of JDO over JDBC (in simple words).

I've been able to google lot of this stuff, but opinions from the "first hand" are always best.

Thanks