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Johnny Tremain

(1943, Fiction - Historical Fiction, Written by Esther Forbes, Illustrated by Lynd Ward)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Dry by today's standards, but still worthwhile.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Black characters are somewhat stereotypical slaves, and Johnny's initial prejudice toward African-Americans is never specifically resolved. Frequent references are made to the importance of having guns and Johnny's friend Rab thinks that without a gun a m

  • Violence:

    A tendency to glorify war, though some of its horrors are shown. Sam Adams, in particular, is seen to actually desire war as a solution to the colonists' disagreements with England. Johnny and his revolutionary friends repeatedly risk their lives, and ma

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Johnny Tremain

Parents need to know that this is a rich, well-told tale, with lively black and white illustrations, but length, pacing, and language leave some less -experienced readers feeling bored.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the racism and stereotyping in this book. Why do you think Johnny's view of black people changes during the course of the book? Do you think his views were typical of the time? How have attitudes changed?
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See all 12 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    musicfan789
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    dont read

    I read this book in class at school and not one person in my class liked it everyone thought it was the worst book they had ever read

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    xxgriffinxx
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 1.0

    Sucked

    Not for kids today. We don't like this kind of stuff anymore. Kids today would say "boring", "it sucked"

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Carlos_romo
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 1.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    robpatxo3
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0

    ok

    it was good in the beginning and end but the middle was a little boring.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    xXx[sarah]xXx
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    i laughed in the beginning and cried at the end...

    this book was the best historical book I've ever read!!! I loved it from beginning to end...=)

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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