Johnny Tremain: A Story Of Boston In Revolt

This is one of the earliest reads I can remember from my childhood and 40+ years later, it does not disappoint!

Johnny Tremain's mother has died and left him in the care of a silversmith and his family. Johnny trains with this silversmith and shows aptitude for the craft. Then one fateful day, an accident occurs in the shop and Johnny's right hand is badly injured by molten silver. After he recovers and can no longer work in the foundry because his thumb and forefinger have healed together and he no longer has the dexterity he needs, he sets off to seek his fortune elsewhere.

Johnny's search brings him to a printer's shop and to an apprentice there named Rab. The printer, Mr. Lorne, is a stalwart Whig, as is Rab and the group of patriots that meet secretly in the attic of the print shop. Through these secret meetings, Johnny becomes acquainted with the notable patriots John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, James Otis, and Dr Warren. James Otis's inspirational speech at one of these secret meetings (the last section of chapter 8) is the reason for this book, and the reason to read it to your sons, especially. It first gave me goose bumps in the 1980s and it still gave me goose bumps last week.

This is the way to experience history. Covering the time period of the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere's ride, and the battles of Lexington and Concord, it is also eye-opening concerning the British troops billeted in Boston and secret societies of patriots and the dangers they faced.

This is the epitome of  living literature.

This is the perfect example of a story that appeals to children but contains the BIG IDEAS. This is the standard for children's literature, folks! Thank goodness for historian storytellers like Esther Forbes.

Content considerations:

The words “hell” and “damn” are used about ten times (together) throughout this three hundred page book. I don't know if it's just me, but these don't ever seem so bad when used in a phrase of common parliance such as “damned Yankees” or “come hell or high water” which is usually the case here.          

Three times “black folk” are referred to, not in a derogatory manner, but there is a certain prejudice in our main characters that a reader may want to stop and address. This is true of a forced “Indian” accent on the night of the Boston Tea Party as well.

Some phrases are used that readers/listeners in my house would never be allowed to use: “you dirty sluts” and “worthless limb of Satan.” Witches are mentioned once or twice, eg, “hanged for a witch.” One character is killed by a firing squad (not graphic) and hangings are mentioned two or three times. A British officer wants to “stir Yankee blood,” a British sympathizer says he will “ kill every rebel we meet. Skin 'em. Cut off their heads.”