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Summary: A Delicious Dose of Revolutionary Fun!
Review: Johnny Tremain, an arrogant, annoying brat of a silversmith's apprentice is ruler of the roost (the shop where he works, that is) until a tragic accident cripples his hand, making him unable to continue his trade. He then becomes an outcast of society. Unable to find work, he nearly sinks to theiving, but luckily stumbles upon a printer's assistant named Rab who befriends Johnny and helps him find a job. Rab is an intriguing type of fellow. He was my favorite character in this book, even though he's not the main character.
Rab introduces Johnny to a wonderful world of secrecy, excitement, and intrigue with the Sons of Liberty, who are plotting America's independence from the tyrannical British government. Johnny develops into a rather likable sort of chap before the book's end. Such American immortals as Paul Revere, Sam Adams, John Hancock, and Joseph Warren are skillfully interwoven by Forbes into this delightful piece of historical fiction. I highly recommend this book to children around 12 on up but I believe it is just as enjoyable to adults. I am in my 20's and I really enjoy this book still. If you are an American history buff or simply enjoy a good book with an old-fashioned flavor, buy this book and read it.
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Summary: A teenager at the start of the American Revolution
Review: This children's book won the 1944 Newbery Medal for best contribution to American children's literature. It is regarded by many as being a landmark in the development of historical fiction for children and should be on the shelf of any serious student of children's literature. The story centers around a couple of years in the life of a young silversmith apprentice, Johnny Tremain (or, Jonathan Lyte Tremain) in Boston near the start of the American Revolution. At the beginning of the novel, it is 1773 and a fourteen-year-old Johnny, who is very good in his work but is also excessively proud and arrogant, has an accident when working on the Sabbath when a crucible of molten silver breaks. His right hand is severely burned and he feels he can no longer become a silversmith. He begins to roam throughout Boston with despair and finally obtains a job at one of the Boston newspapers. There he comes in contact with some of the early heroes of the revolution: John Hancock, Sam and John Adams, Paul Revere, Dr. Warren, etc. Johnny, and the reader, see the events leading up to the Boston Tea Party in December 1773 and the very start of the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Lexington and Concord in April of 1775. I read this book a second time when I was in my 50s and it is still great to read. And, reading the comments of the other reviewers, it is apparent that most of today's young adults like it as much as I did in the late 1950s. And, it is so much better than the Disney film.
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Summary: Stepping back in time...
Review: If you've ever wondered what it would have been like to live during the beginning of America, this is a wonderful book to read. Johnny Tremain is an historical novel about a young boy in colonial Boston. In the beginning, Johnny is an arrogant silversmith's apprentice but because of a work accident, his life changes quickly and he suddenly finds himself unwanted and alone. Through courage and the support of a new friend, he becomes a messenger boy on horseback for the Sons of Liberty and meets most of the famous founding fathers: John Adams, Sam Adams, James Otis, Paul Revere, and John Hancock. Knowing he can be trusted, he soon becomes a spy for the Sons of Liberty. Reading this book I could feel Johnny's excitment as he took part in the Boston Tea party and I could feel his sadness as he struggled with loss at the battles of Lexington and Concord. This book was well written, placing the reader back in time, wondering how such simple people could be so courageous during this turbulent time period.
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Summary: Review for Johnny the Silversmith...
Review: The book, Johnny Tremain, was pretty good but, it was also pretty long. If you have a lot of free time then read it because you won't want to stop. It is about a fourteen year old boy that is and apprentice for a silversmith. He is so good at his work that he gets to boss the older kids around. One day he is working on something and he drops one of his tools in. Without thinking he grabs at it and the hot silver burns his hands. His hands basically get melted together in between his fingers making them look webbed. Now obviously he can't do the silversmith work as good as he used to so his master tells him to go find new work. Johnny goes out and finds a printing press and quickly becomes friends with the owners son, Rab. Johnny finds things being printed about the British that are bad. Johnny decides to take it into his own hands and basically runs a postal route so he can get letters from the British and show Rab's father. You'll have to find out how it ends.
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Summary: A long-time favorite
Review: I've read Johnny Tremain several times, and each time I am fascinated by the characters. The town of Boston and the culture of the times also come to life in this story. Characters involved in the Revolutionary War seem like real people in Esther Forbe's portrayal -- such as John Adams; the English deserter "Pumpkin"; the typical un-famous soldier signified by "Rab"; and the tories & revolutionaries who harbor a large number of opinions on the English king and the revolt. The book provides a good smattering of men and women, boys and girls, each with their unique problems in that society. I enjoyed that the plot included more than just a reaction to a quickly-forming war, but also a family mystery, class conflict, coming-of-age romance, friendship, loyalty and even loss -- you know, all the good themes :) This story makes the Revolutionary War memorable. It does heroicize certain characters, but life includes heroes and there is enough black, white and gray in the myriad of personalities to learn about human nature. For someone who loves to read about people and ponder why they do what they do to make them who they are, this is a fun read. It is also for those who like the details that bring you into the sounds and smells and history of a place.
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Summary: I love Johnny!!
Review: I had to read this book for school, and I assumed it would be boring. Well, I shouldn't assume because this book was excellent! It is the sad, funny, and exciting story of a fourteen year old silversmith in Boston during the Revolutioary War.
The characters are so vivid, you feel like you've known them all your life. This book also teaches a lesson about pride, but I won't spoil what happens! Yes, this book is older, but don't judge it by its age. If you're looking for a good book, this is definintely one to read!
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Summary: A good book for reading to children
Review: It was 1969 when this book was read to me or I should say read to our class at Brook Glenn Elementary School in Taylors, SC. Every day right after lunch during quiet time our teacher would read a section from this book.I still remember it like it was yesterday. Images that a little 9 year old hasn't forgotton in 35 years. The story was good. I clearly remember living vicariously through Johnny Tremain in my little world. I wonder if teachers still read to students like that. It certainly made an impression on me and was perhaps the beginning of a lifelong love with reading books. I notice that the book was written by a woman. I wonder if the teacher was an early feminist. Funny to have that kind of thought about this book these many years later. It reflects the times we live in. But I suspect, since the book was written before all that came along, it had no political agenda at all and is just plain good old storytelling.
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Summary: More cons than pros
Review: This story is set during the Revolutionary War and is about an apprentice to a silver smith. He injures his hand and thinks he will never work with silver again. He gets involved with the Boston Tea Party, the midnight ride of Paul Revere etc.
The book Johnny Tremain can be described in many ways. But 'a good book' is not one of them. I would definetly not recommend this book. It was good in the beginning, but after that,the plot went downhill. It took me a while to read this book because I was reluctant to read it. One good thing, however, is the details on the Revolutionary War.
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Summary: Review by a teenage drama queen
Review: This book is a Revolutionary War book. It is about this boy who wanted to be a silversmith all of his life. After trying to create a silver basin, his tool broke and without thinking he reached in to get it and burnt his hand severely. His fingers were 'glued' together by the hot liquid silver thus creating a webbed look. Since he's an apprentice, his master told him to find a different trade. So, he sets off and discovers this printing shop. He meets this guy named Rab. Rab feeds him, and they become fast friends. Johnny then lives with Rab. Rab's uncle begins printing negative facts about the British during this time. So, Johnny kind of becomes a spy for these people by delivering letters for his friends. When the British see that he is a deliverer of letters, then they too begin to use his services. Upon this new responsibility, Johnny then begins to show the letters to Rab's uncle, who in turn, passes on the information to the militia for the colonists.
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Summary: made death seem welcome
Review: i grabed this book wanting to read an intresting story full of twists and turns when i was done i felt like i had been beaten with a baseballbat. it drags on repeating what it has already stated. it contains nothing to set it apart from a normal piece of blank paper the only good thing i have to say or think about this book is that it makes GREAT tinder for any fireplace!!!
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