Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

Reviewed by Cindy

Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

 

Newbery Medal Winner 1943

Ratings Explanation

Language:  (2) There are some uses of the words hell and damned.  Name calling and belittling words were used occasionally.  Most were silly such as “overgrown pig-of-a-louse”.

Violence:  (2) There was mention of fighting/brawling.  Boys would beat each other up, nothing graphic.  A few threats were made of killing someone.  A boy slaps a child.  A man is “tarred and feathered”, and a British deserter is shot by a firing squad, but no details are given for either incident.  A man is injured during the war and is bleeding from the mouth which results in his death.

Sexual Content:  (1) Little Isanna (a child) isn’t properly dressed in front of mixed company and as she is “upended” it is discovered she has nothing on underneath her dress.

Adult Themes:  (3) Men and boys drink beer, ale, and brandy.  Tobacco is mentioned.  Johnny’s mother dies when he is eleven.  He burns his hand severely.  He is accused of theft, goes to jail and stands on trial.  He is involved with the Boston Tea Party.  The American Revolution begins…war.

Synopsis

In the year 1773, fourteen-year-old Johnny Tremain has been apprenticed to a silversmith in Boston since the age of eleven.  All looks promising for his future until a severe burn renders his hand useless.  Johnny must now find a new future and purpose as Boston finds itself in the middle of a revolt for freedom.  He crosses paths with Paul Revere, John Hancock and Samuel Adams where he discovers he has a role to play in the coming historical events.

My kids have read this story in school, but I had never read it.  I love historical fiction and this one did not disappoint me.  Johnny is a boy who thinks himself above others, but through humbling circumstances he discovers the bigger picture…the shaping of America which involves tremendous sacrifice and courage.  I loved this quote, “We give all we have, lives, property, safety, skills…we fight, we die, for a simple thing.  Only that a man can stand up.”  I would recommend this for grades 5th and up.