| Johnny Tremain (Illustrated American Classics) | 
 enlarge | Author: Esther Hoskins Forbes
Creator: Michael Mccurdy
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Category: Book
List Price: $22.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  297 reviews
Sales Rank: 653748
Media: Hardcover
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.9 x 1.2
ISBN: 0395900115
UPC: 046442900119
EAN: 9780395900116
ASIN: 0395900115
Publication Date: October 26, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com Review
This story of a tragically injured young silversmith who ends up hip-deep in the American Revolution is inspiring, exciting, and sad. Winner of the prestigious Newbery Award in 1944, Esther Forbes's story has lasted these 50-plus years by including adventure, loss, courage, and history in a wonderfully written, very dramatic package. It's probably not great for little guys but mature 11-year-olds or older will find it a great adventure.
Product Description
Johnny Tremain, winner of the 1943 Newbery Medal, is one of the finest historical novels ever written for children. As compelling today as it was fifty years ago, to read this riveting novel is to live through the defining events leading up to the American Revolutionary War seen through the eyes of a boy who turns in his smithing tools to take up a rifle and fight for the liberty of America. Fourteen-year old Johnny Tremain, an apprentice silversmith with a bright future ahead of him, injures his hand in a tragic accident, forcing him to look for other work. In his new job as a horse-boy, riding for the patriotic newspaper, the Boston Observer, and as a messenger for the Sons of Liberty, he encounters John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Dr. Joseph Warren. Soon Johnny is involved in the pivotal events shaping the American Revolution from the Boston Tea Party to the first shots fired at Lexington. Powerful illustrations by American artist Michael McCurdy, bring new life to Ether Forbes' quintessential novel of the American Revolution.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 292 more reviews...
 Wasted on the young December 26, 2008
This novel is severely underappreciated because of its standing as a "kid's book." I first read Johnny Tremain more than a decade ago in elementary school, and I've read it at least once a year, every year, since.
If there is one complaint that I do not understand when reading negative reviews, it is the claim that these characters are 'flat'. They are anything but. I'd even venture to say that Johnny is one of the most well-written characters in literature. Forbes writes Johnny so that he grows and matures as the novel progresses, without shoving it in the reader's face. His transformation is subtle; unlike many writers, Forbes doesn't spell out every little detail for the reader, and thank goodness for that. She trusts that her audience is smart enough to see how Johnny changes. This reason alone may be why so many kids despise J.T. They want it spelled out for them, otherwise, they don't (can't?) understand.
As for the plot, it's tight (and I don't mean "cool"). So many times you read a novel and wonder where it's headed. More often than not, authors seem to throw in the towel at numerous points, as though they've gotten themselves backed into a corner, either because of poor execution of the storyline, or because their story becomes too complex and they get flustered. Not the case here- Forbes knew her beginning, middle and end, down to the very last sentence. Every word has meaning, every storyline makes sense, every character is significant.
This is one of my top three novels of all time, so I admit I am biased. But I encourage anyone who hasn't read it to do so. It's a quick read, but it's an impressive one. There are only two books I think are practically flawless: Johnny Tremain and The Count of Monte Cristo. Both are outstanding, not just because of the plot (TCoMC is far superior, in my opinion, to every other book), but because of the characters.
Historical Fiction For All Ages December 26, 2008
Many are already familiar with the story of "Johnny Tremain", either through the book or the Disney movie. It is worth reading whether you have read it before or not. I have recently read it for about the fourth time. It is, of course, the story of the silversmith's apprentice, Johnny Tremain ,who becomes involved in the events leading up to the Boston Tea Party and culminating in the battles of Lexington and Concord. Through Johnny's eyes we see Paul Revere, Samuel Adams and Dr. Warren. We also get a glimpse into the world of Eighteenth Century Boston with its merchants and apprentices, landmarks and social conditions. The story is enhanced as we watch sixteen year old Johnny form his standards of right and wrong, feel out his relationships with girls and, under the tutelage of his new friend Rab, enter the world of men. We also see Johnny mature as he comes to know himself.
"Johnny Tremain received the John Newberry Medal for excellence in Children's Literature. This speaks to its quality, but does not indicate a limitation on its appeal. It is an excellent book for teenagers, but should not be ignored by adults either. I have read and re-read it repeatedly and never tire of it. It is an excellent book to read before a trip to Boston because so many of the places you will visit as you walk the Freedom Trail and the persons referred to along its cobblestones are included in this book. It will help you to a deeper understanding of the Freedom Trail and the role of Boston in the Revolution. Whether you are going to Boston or not, do not miss "Johnny Tremain".
 BOOOOOOOOOOORING!!! October 16, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I had to read this book for school, and I didn't like it at all. I didn't even finish it! This is not a good book. DO NOT read it. I don't know how many times I fell asleap while reading. My brother had to wake me up several times. I read all the time, and have finished the 800 page books in about one or two days. This book took me like 2 months. This is the boringist book I have ever read.
Still a wonderful read for children and others July 14, 2008
I suppose I had read other history books before I read this book at age 12. However, this is the book that hooked me on history.
Our media, books, television, films, are full of the American Revolution and its heroes and heroines now, but back in 1952, things were pretty quiet on the American History front. We were making our own history with WWII, the Marshall Plan, the Korean Conflict, the red scare et al. In spite of all that, this book set me on fire. I wanted to know more about the foundations of our country, and I went on to read everything I could set my hands to. I am still doing it, but that is another story.
"Johnny Tremain" is still a wonderful book. It tells the story of a teenaged apprentice who learns the hard way what is his real value to his country. Of course, you can't mention silver and the Revolution without bringing Paul Revere into the story. He and many other well known heroes are brought into the story along with the everyday people whose names never make the history books, but who are the real builders and heroes of any tale like this.
Read this book - I've read it a couple of times. Now I am buying a copy for my grandchildren who are just about the age I was when I first opened its pages.
"We give all we have, lives, property, safety, skills...we fight, we die for a simple thing. Only that a man can stand up." July 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
And therein lies the premise for the colonial revolutionaries of the 1770s, as Forbes has written in her storied historical novel of Johnny Tremain.
Decidedly American, this story of the young protagonist Tremain in 1774-1775 colonial Boston could really be enjoyed by any reader who appreciates historical fiction. Though the story's premise is the beginning of the American War for Independence from England, the story has all the elements of a good book, even for those that may not have a stake or interest in the specific elements of American history or independence. There're also the traditional elements of just a good story: love and affection, espionage, conflict, loyalty, tragedy turned to fortune, suspense and a climactic point near the end of the book.
Written to a teen audience, Forbes demonstrates great skill (obviously, as this book has stood the test of time, being copyrighted in 1943) in writing a book easily read and understood by her intended audience, but still very enjoyable to the adult audience. I've now read this book three times (I think the only book I've ever read 3 times), and recently for the first time in 26 years. What impresses me most now is how Forbes doesn't display the colonial revolutionaries - the Sons of Liberty - and their renowned characters, men who became the Founding Fathers of America, as near perfect and saintly men. She developed them as men with flaws, wavering allegiances, questionable faculties, but also men resolute in their cause and demonstrating gifted leadership abilities. Likewise, the British army and occupiers of the colonies were displayed not as disdainful, brash and belligerent, but as men who did not wish for war against what they felt were their fellow Englishmen. Forbes put a face of humanity on the entire circumstance whereby the reader today, even 233 years after the first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord, can be touched personally by the events in which Johnny Tremain found himself.
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