Common Sense Media Review
Sweeping tale of redcoats, revolutionaries, and brave boy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say the book presents a mixed experience, with some readers appreciating its historical depth and compelling themes, while others find it boring, slow-paced, and difficult to read. Many express frustration over its challenging language and lack of excitement, leading to a general consensus that it may be better suited for older audiences or those interested in history.
- mixed experience
- historical depth
- boring pace
- difficult language
- better for older audiences
- авторская стилистика
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Against the panoramic backdrop of the Revolutionary War, a young and impressionable teen apprentice silversmith in Boston is caught up in events that will change his life and the life of his country forever.
Is It Any Good?
This sweeping tale of redcoats and revolutionaries has a lot to offer. Esther Forbes' brilliant characterizations in immerse readers in this turbulent era of America's past. Seeing JOHNNY TREMAIN's 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.
Forbes, a historian, writes with detail and precision, imbuing historical events with life and passion that is often lacking in textbooks. The Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere's ride, and the battles at Lexington and Concord are all powerfully portrayed. Forbes also shows the daily life of the working class in the colonies, illustrating the social order against which the revolutionaries fought. Written in the 1940s, the novel is sometimes a bit dry by today's standards. And the African-American characters conform to stereotypes and have only marginal involvement in the events that take place. But parents and teachers can provide the cultural-historical context of such characterizations and omissions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the racism and stereotypes. Why do you think Johnny's view of black people changes over the course of the book? Do you think his views were typical of the time? How have attitudes changed?
Why do you think stories about the American colonial period are popular?
What do like about reading historical novels? What others have your read?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Lynd Ward
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HMH Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : January 1, 1943
- Number of pages : 256
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Award : Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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