“Johnny Tremain,” by Esther Forbes, illustrated by Lynd Ward
Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1943, 300 pages, Grades 5-7.
Historical fiction is one of the great genres (types of writing) that can be found in literature. Talented authors can take readers back centuries and allow them to experience the historical situation through the characters, background, customs and language of time.
As a result, historical fiction has always been popular and is unlikely to ever lose its audience. Esther Forbes has written a brilliant book in this genre about the American Revolution. Since its publication in 1943, the novel has held readers in awe with its masterful writing and suspenseful characters. The name of this great novel is “Johnny Tremain.”
Johnny is an orphan and has been apprenticed to a silversmith. By his early teens, he already shows great aptitude in molding beautiful tea pots and sugar bowls. Though seemingly a common boy, he possesses remarkable artistic talent that can be seen in his lovely creations. The silversmith, Mr. Lapham, sees his ability in shaping silver but also sees a less admirable quality in the lad: Johnny is filled with an inordinate pride in his abilities.
So, while he is producing most of the expensive products in the shop, he constantly ridicules his fellow apprentices. The pious Mr. Lapham tries to humble Johnny but too little effect. Johnny’s ill-tempered remarks lead to excessive jealously and his hand is badly burned when another apprentice gets his revenge by giving him a broken mold during a silver pour.
Now Johnny is not able to shape silver. He has fallen from the heights of success to that of a crippled teenager. Now the shoe is on the other foot as the apprentices make fun of him.
He eventually flees the situation. His mother’s last gift to him was a precious silver cup that she had said he must only use if he were in desperate straits. The cup had belonged to the Lyte family, one of the richest families in Massachusetts. It is inconceivable that a poor boy would ever come into possession of the delicate object. Johnny senses his history and destiny are connected to this beautiful object.
During this difficult time in Johnny’s life, the Tea Act is passed causing insurrection in the American Colonies. Casting about for a place to sleep, Johnny is taken in by a printer working for a revolution against England.
Since his hand is maimed, the American revolutionaries believe Johnny cannot fire a gun. He can be trained to ride a horse, however. This would allow him to be a dispatch rider carrying messages between towns for the “Sons of Liberty,” as the revolutionaries are called.
Who would ever suspect a 15-year-old teenager with a crippled hand in helping to undermine the British Empire? Traitors will be shot! The story continues to build as the British Army prepares to attack Lexington and Concord. What happens?
What does Johnny do during the famous night ride of Paul Revere? What does he learn about war? What is the heart-wrenching story behind his silver cup? Can he overcome his handicap? How does he learn from all of this and grow into a virtuous young man? To find out the answers to this, go to the library and check out this famous novel, “Johnny Tremain” by Esther Forbes.
This may be the greatest historical novel ever written for adolescents. Forbes shows us Johnny’s character undergoing many transformations. He is prideful and haughty and then broken and in the need of others. In his suffering the true measure of his character emerges. During his dangerous dispatch rides, battles are being fought and people are dying. To aid the revolutionary cause, he must deceive the British Army by constant daring and occasional lying. Despite the enormous risks, Johnny completes his missions with true courage.
Forbes expertly shows many of the conflicting issues of the American Revolution. Though Forbes sides with the revolution, she details the great costs of choosing for the Empire or the rebellion in 1776. Nothing was as simple as it later appeared to be. I hope you encourage the members of your family to read this gripping novel.
