Common Sense Note
A rich, well-told tale, with lively black and white illustrations, but length, pacing, and language leave some less experienced readers feeling bored.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Jennifer Docherty
Forbes's brilliant characterizations will immerse readers in this turbulent era of America's past. An historian herself, Forbes writes with detail and precision about events that children will be studying in school, imbuing the events with a life and passion that is often lacking in history textbooks. Unfortunately, schoolteachers across America regularly kill any interest in this well-written book by assigning it too early and too often.
Johnny Tremain is a sympathetic and believable character. Seeing his impulsive actions and hasty judgments questioned by the more mature Rab, Johnny's character slowly develops, and his efforts to become a sensible, courageous young man are often poignant and endearing.
The Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere's midnight ride, the battles of poorly-armed minutemen against the well-provisioned British army at Lexington and Concord are all powerfully reenacted. Forbes also shows the daily life of the working class in the colonies, illustrating the social order against which the revolutionaries fought.
Written more than a half century ago, the novel sometimes fails to hold the interest of modern children, who find it nutritious but not very tasty. More seriously, Forbes's African-American characters conform to stereotypes and have only a marginal involvement in the events that take place. Johnny Tremain expresses his disapproval for "black folk" at the beginning of the novel, and while he later behaves much more courteously to the slaves he meets, Forbes never specifically shows what brought about this change of heart.
Plot Summary:
Against the panoramic backdrop of the Revolutionary War, a young and impressionable Boston apprentice is caught up in events that will change his life and the life of his country forever. Though sometimes a bit dry by today's standards, this sweeping tale of redcoats and revolutionaries still has a lot to offer.
Related Books:
Other historical novels for teens about the Revolution include April Morning and My Brother Sam is Dead.
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ViolenceA 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 |
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Social BehaviorBlack 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 |
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