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Johnny Tremain
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Johnny Tremain (1943) (edit title/settings)

by Esther Forbes (Author) (edit contributors)

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A story filled with danger and excitement, Johnny Tremain tells of the turbulent passionate times in Boston just after the Revolutionary War. Johnny, a young apprentice silversmith, is caught up in a dramatic involvement with James Otis, John Hancock, and John and Samuel Adams in the Boston... read more

Summary edit see section history

Johnny Tremain, by Esther Forbes, takes place in Revolutionary Boston. Johnny is a teenager, a silversmith apprentice for Mr. Lapham a master silversmith. After Johnny injures his hand he has to find other work. He ends up meeting an older boy named Rab whose family owns a printing shop. Rab... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Johnny Tremain, by Esther Forbes, takes place in Revolutionary Boston. Johnny is a teenager, a silversmith apprentice for Mr. Lapham a master silversmith. After Johnny injures his hand he has to find other work. He ends up meeting an older boy named Rab whose family owns a printing shop. Rab offers him a job as a rider. After being arrested and freed by a crooked merchant Lyte, Johnny takes the job of a rider for the Boston Observer.
Johhnny's new life as a Boston Observer allows him to meet many leaders of the American Revolution, Paul Revere, James Otis,Sam Adams, and John Hancock. Johnny joins the Boston Tea Party, and uses his spy skills to spy on the British.
When the battle of Lexington comes close Rab, from Lexington, joins the Minute Men there. When British troops start marching Johnny takes the message to Paul Revere then tells the Minute Men. Rab is Wounded and dies, Johnny is devastated but learns the sacrifices of Freedom and Liberty for our country.

Characters edit see section history

Show all 12 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “'A man can't stand up..."”
  • “For what will we fight?" "To free Boston from these infernal redcoats and . . ." "No," said Otis. ". . . That's not enough reason for going into a war . . . Why are we going to fight? Why, why?' There was an embarrassed silence. Sam Adams was the acknowledged ringleader. It was for him to speak now. "We will fight for the right of Americans. England cannot take our money away by taxes." "No, no. For something more important than the pocketbooks of our American citizens." Rab said, "For the right of Englishmen—everywhere." "Why stop with Englishmen?" Otis was warming up. ". . . For men and women and children all over the world. . . . There shall be no more tyranny. A handful of men cannot seize power over thousands. A man shall choose who it is shall rule over him. . . . The battle we win over the worst in England shall benefit the best in England. How well are they over there represented when it comes to taxes? Not very well."”
    Sam Adams, James Otis, and Rab
  • “You remember that night," he said, " that last meeting of the Observers. James Otis came, although we didn't want him. I can't remember much of what he said, but I remember how his words mad the gooseskin on my arms." "I'll never forget it. He said . . . so a man can stand up." "Yes. And some of us would die—so other men can stand up on their feet like men. A great many are going to die for that. They have in the past. They will a hundred years from now—two hundred. God grant there will always be men good enough."”
    Johnny Tremain and Doctor Warren
  • “Johnny stood upon the Green and looked about him. He heard a woman call, 'Chick, chick, chick.' From a near-by cow shed hear heard milk spurting into a pail. A tap of metal on metal: his trained ear told him a gunsmith was at work. He could smell turned earth and gummy buds. His nostrils trembled. Almost could they recapture the gunpowder of yesterday. So fair a day now drawing to its close. Green with spring, dreaming of the future yet wet with blood. This was his land and these his people.”

First Sentence edit see section history

On rocky islands gulls woke.

Table of Contents edit see section history

I. Up and About
II. The Pride of your Power
III. An Earth of Brass
IV. The Rising Eye
V. <i>The Boston Observer</i>
VI. Salt-Water Tea
VII. The Fiddler's Bill
VIII. A World To Come
IX. The Scarlet Deluge
X. 'Disperse, Ye Rebels!'
XI. Yankee Doodle
XII. A Man Can Stand Up

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 786 of 986 in 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up. (authoritative list)

Preceded by My Friend Flicka, and followed by The Woods of Windri.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Esther Forbes (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1943
ISBN: 0395067669
Page Count: 288

Awards edit see section history

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