Johnny Tremain

This Book Is a Classic

I write this review as a retired teacher. This book, historical fiction, is a Newbery Medal Winner, and is typically found on the reading list for grades 6 though 8. Esther Forbes does an excellent job of blending her fictional characters with the famous figures we have come to know from history in Boston during the period leading up to the Revolution. It is a coming-of-age story on two levels: Fictionally, it deals with an insecure and immature fourteen-year-old seeking to find his roots and his way in life. We believe that Johnny makes an interesting character for kids from eleven through fourteen to relate to, because his negative attitude in the beginning makes him somewhat unattractive. Consequently, he gets very little sympathy when he needs it the most. Fortunately for Johnny, he latches onto a genuine human being named Rab, who becomes his mentor and role model. It is really heartwarming to see how Rab's kindness works as counseling that rearranges Johnny's thinking, which in turn, causes Johnny to work to correct his own behavior. You can't help but love Rab! By the end of the book, sixteen-year-old Johnny has emerged as a responsible, caring, self-respecting young man who has also acquired respect for others. And like Rab, he too, has become lovable.

On a historical level, this story deals with America's coming of age. The colonies are outgrowing the Mother Country. In Boston, Sam Adams and his Committee of Correspondence members are paving the way for independence. The Sons of Liberty are rebelling against King George III, in a manner not unlike that of a two-year-old rebelling against parents. "If I don't get my way, I'm going to make you pay. I'll dump your tea into the sea." Had King George III been less of a tyrant, and Sam Adams less of a rebel, would we be the United States today? (Interestingly, underneath King George III's portrait hanging in the British Museum is a line labeling him as the ruler who cost England her American colonies.)

I see reading this book as an opportunity for students to increase their word power. Underlining unknown words and making a list of them to look up in the dictionary is the way to learn new words. Words like Whigs, Tories, and apprentice will be easily learned from usage. Also, if this book is required reading for a reluctant reader, I strongly recommend buying the audio version to use in conjunction with the reading. The audio comes unabridged on CDs and makes an excellent supplement for reading improvement, because reading and listening at the same time is twofold learning. This book has too much to offer in both history and fictional character development to not support it completely. It deserves the Newbery medal it received.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Insight on Tremain

Introduction
Johnny is a young man whom seeks out to be a skilled silversmith. He becomes Mr. Lapham's apprentice, who has two other youth apprentices who tend to get in Johnny's way with their pranks, laziness and insults.


Description and summary of main points
Sometime after Johnny has his accident, he goes off to look for a different trade. Soon he finds a job that could fit him, and a friend too. Eventually, he takes the job and joins him in the secret union which that friend is in.


Evaluation
Johnny Tremain was quite an interesting book. It showed me how life was like back in those days for a young apprentice when bad luck runs a muck. I wasn't pleased reading it the whole way through, but it had it's moments where it was pleasing. There were moments where I wanted to keep reading the book.


Final review
Johnny Tremain is a book I would recommend. It was a above average book, but not perfect. It had some of its flaws, but all in all, It was something that is worth your time. I give it a 4 out of 5.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Best book ever

This has been the best book that i have ever read. I am a fifth grader reading this book at the current time. We are on the chapter, the boston observer, and it is very good so far. I would reccomend this book for advanced fourth and up graders. It is a joy to read so if you are bored, do not know what to do, then you can just pick this book up and read it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

If you like historical stories, you'll love this.

I truly enjoyed this book with its historic time frame and the lessons on being arrogant and then learning to be humble. It tells a great story about a funny kid who reminds me of an old friend who now lives in Oregon. Being set in the Revalutionar war drew my interest to this book. I love to read and watch tv shows about history and things that happened during the various time frames. Even though I don't like reading, I enjoyed this book and would read it again.

The story is about a 14 year old moves in with a family, the Lapham's to be an apprentice to a silversmith. The mom is determined he will also marry her daughter. Becoming so skilled, he became arrogant and bullies the other kids in the house.

Johnny's fame as a silversmith takes a turn for the better and is asked to do an elaborate silver basin for a wealthy merchant. He also tells the daughter, Cilla that he is related to a wealthy Boston merchant. Not happy with the results of silver basin's handles. He created a mold for a perfect set of handles. One of the sons decided to play a practical joke that would forever change Johnny's life. His hands were burned and disfigured. Mrs. Lapham complains about feeding him, and that she no longer would allow him to marry her daughter.

Johnny searches for work at a Boston Newspaper telling how his hands became damaged and was promised a job delivering papers if he could find no other work.

Depressed he decides to contact his wealthy relative. He produced a silver cup given to him by his mom and was told he stole it and was arrested. After going to trial, he was cleared of the charge.

Down on his luck, he went back to the newspaper to ask for the delivery job. He becomes friendly with the key members in politics and is transformed from a political bystander into an ardent Whig. He participates in the Boston Tea Party. He slowly changes from a selfish arrogant child into a selfless idealistic man.

The book teaches you about history during that time period and life challenges. That your life can change in a heartbeat.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Colleen Review

Introduction
Everybody loved Johnny Tremain except Dove. He had the hands of an artist and a mind of an adult. As young as he is he keeps all of his housemates in order and they abide by him with some rude comments. Mr.Lapham has taught him many things to being a silversmith.

Description and summary of main points
Then a tragity happened to young Johnny. Rushing to make Hancock's a sugar Basin, his hand got severely burned for the fault to blame is Dove. His hand is useless and now he has to struggle with out a useful hand for the rest of his life. Nobody will hire him and Mrs.Lapham doesn't favor him. Life is going no where

Evaluation
I believe that Johnny's life came tumbling down and that i look up to him for the dedication he has for what he believes in.


My final review
This book is absolutely described as a fun educational reading. Definitely, I am recommending this to others. Especially other teachers because I am a student and is thrilled that i got assigned this book because This is way better than a history book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

pretty good

this is a extremely well-written story, Esther Forbes did a good job. You need to know the background of the 1770's and what is going on around Johnny during the story. it is well written but you need to pay attention to what is going on the story may change suddenly when you don't pay attention to the story. All in all it was an excellent book

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

We read this book as a family. We have a 6 year old and 9 year old. The book was interesting and we almost couldn't put it down. It made history come alive for all of us!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

history buff's fantasy!!

the first time i read this book i was in fifth grade, and i didn't understand a thing! (i was forced to read it that time) but then i began to love history alot more, especially the american revolution. i went back in eighth grade to read it over the summer and i loved it!! it makes a huge difference if you can understand the vocabulary and if you are a history buff, like me!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

EWWW! DON'T EVER READ THIS!

This was the worst book I ever read, and it was so boring. My teacher made me read it last year, and I hated it so much.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Good Book

It is a good book but it dosent include enough about the apprentice system.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Best Book I've Ever Read

I read a lot of books but this is the best book I have ever read. I first had to read it in fifth grade but I didn't want to because it was long. But I loved it after I read it. Then in eight grade I had to read it again. Actually I could have read something else but I read this again for my project. The first time I had not understood it very well but the second time you read it it makes way more sence. I thank my Fifth grade teacher for making me read it and I'll never forget it, Thank you Mrs. Lenaghan. (hope I spelled it right)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

WOW!!!

I was never really that interested in History. I decided to choose Jonny Tremain for my Book Report. After reading it, I was into the subject! I highly recomend it to anyone learning about the revolution. This is where the fun begins!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Very Good Book

A very well written. This book has sparked my intrest in the American Revolution. After reading the book, I got on the internet and found information about Paul Revere, Sam Adams, Joseph Warren, and others. I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Best Book Ever, Not A History Textbook!

I read this book and and am still reading the book. It is about a boy who burns his hand and can not work for his master Mr. Lapham.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

It Was a Great Book

I thought that this book was a great portrayal of what the patriots were really fighting for. It also did a good job of connecting fictional characters with non-fictional events.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Thanks to a wonderful English teacher from the past!

I can not think of anything more memorable than reading this story in my 5th grade English class in 1983. I am surprised to see that it is now not normally taught until 8th grade. I remember highlighting various parts of the book, reading and re-reading. Sixteen years later I still have that book on my shelf and read it maybe once per year, smiling at all the notes I made in the margains. It is my hope that when my children are old enough they will love the story as much as I did. I never would have given it a chance if not made to by my teacher, so to her, I say thank you!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very good story!!!!

I thought that this story was a great story. It made me smile, laugh, and, cry. I recommed this book to people of all ages!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great!

This book is great. Where do you find other books like this?

AWESOME BOOK

If you don't know the vocab in this book, tap and hold. It will give you options at the bottom, and click on "look up".

Good book

My class and are reading this book and l thought it would be boring but i am loving it so far. There are a lot of tricky words though so be careful while you are reading it.