Plot Summary: Fourteen-year-old orphan Johnny is apprenticed to once-famous silversmith Mr. Lapham, and is by far the most talented of the master's apprentices. Boastful and cocky, he orders the other apprentices around and is generally admired by Mrs. Lapham and her four daughters. But pride goes before a fall, and Johnny's superior attitude leads to a dangerous accident with molten silver that results in the loss of use of his right hand. Now useless to the Laphams, Johnny seeks another place to work, and eventually winds up involved with the fiery newspaper Observer and the rebellious Sons of Liberty. But while he works to help free the colonies from Britain, Johnny seeks out his own past. Is he related, as his mother told him on her deathbed, to one of the richest, most important man in town?
Discussions: This book is by far one of the best historical fiction books I've ever read. Esther Forbes makes people of the past (like Samuel Adams and Paul Revere) come to life on the pages. All of the characters are real and vivid, and richly drawn. Johnny is a cocky fourteen-year-old with a tendency to boast. He practically runs the shop for Mr. Lapham, who's getting older and mistrusts his own ability. Urged on by Mrs. Lapham (Mr. Lapham's daughter-in-law, not his wife), Johnny is the one who accepts a difficult order and Johnny is the one to dedicate himself to it.
The other apprentices dislike Johnny for the way he orders them around, sending them for water and charcoal and whatever he needs to work. Shy, stuttering Dusty merely is scared and a little admiring of Johnny, but slow, lazy Dove hates him because Johnny is younger and more talented. Johnny takes every opportunity to torture Dove and Dove takes every opportunity to revenge himself on Johnny.
Mrs. Lapham and her daughters admire Johnny's quickness and depend on him. Mrs. Lapham counts on him to keep the other apprentices in order and to keep the smithy going. Her two older daughters, Madge and Dorcas, don't pay much attention to Johnny, but younger Cilla (Priscilla) and Isannah tease him whenever they can. Twelve-year-old Cilla is a curious, eager girl, who devotes herself to poorly but beautiful seven-year-old Isannah. Johnny doesn't mind their teasing much; in fact he rather enjoys their attentions. Mr. Lapham is an old man who was once famously talented, but now mistrusts his own ability. He is piously dedicated to the Scriptures, and continually reminds Johnny that pride goes before a fall. Johnny pays little attention to this, until he meets with his misfortune.
When Johnny becomes involved with the Boston Observer, he meets the printer's nephew Rab. Rab Silsbee is a sensible older boy with a knack for listening and making friends. He takes things seriously, and is passionate about helping his country. Fiercely loyal, he defends Johnny and helps him out whenever he can.
These are just a few of the characters described. There's famously rich Mr. Lyte, who just might be related to Johnny, even if he doesn't want to admit it, and his haughtily beautiful daughter Lavinia, who adores little Isannah Lapham. Mr. Paul Revere, who offers Johnny tips about work with silver. Goblin, the skittish black horse whom Johnny tames one-handed. Josiah Quincy, the loyal and talented lawyer. Dr. Warren, who offers Johnny a possibility of healing. The beginning of the Revolutionary War comes to life in Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes.
Overall: This book is amazingly detailed and powerful. It can be a little confusing towards the middle and end, so I'd recommend it for 11-12-up.
Movie thoughts: I've watched the Disney movie version of Johnny Tremain a few times and I enjoy watching it, but it's extremely condensed. Many of the characters are simply left out, and most of the remaining ones aren't as developed as they are in the book. Most of the events happen quickly or are skipped. The story with Johnny and Mr. Lyte is told quickly and wrapped up quickly. There are fewer historical events than are detailed in the book, and after the Sons of Liberty have finished the Boston Tea Party they march across Boston singing about the Liberty Tree. A little unrealistic. But despite all that, it's a fun movie to watch as a family.
Have you read Johnny Tremain? If so, what do you think of it?
Wow, this sounds interesting! Always love books based on the Revolutionary era.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good! This is probably the best Revolutionary War fiction I've ever read. :D
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