Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Johnny Tremain

Title: Johnny Tremain

Author: Esther Forbes

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Genre: Young Adult, Middle Grade, American Revolution, Historical Fiction, Classics

Source: Library

My Review:

I was not looking forward to reading Johnny Tremain, this month's book club pick. However, I didn't dislike it as much as I had anticipated. I don't read many war stories or middle-grade fiction.

I thought Johnny Tremain was well-written and engaging. Even though it is not something I would normally read, it kept my interest. I did not always understand what was going on, which makes me wonder how it was written for a middle-grade audience. There were several deaths and quite a bit of mild cursing, which was off-putting. 

I did not relate to the characters. I have never been into politics, so it was hard for me to understand someone Johnny's age being so invested in all that was going on. Most of the characters in the story are insufferable and rude. 

I wanted more from the ending. There was too much unsaid, but I guess the focus was more on the war than the people. Overall, it wasn't terrible, but I didn't love it either.

★★★/5

Synopsis (Goodreads):  

Johnny Tremain, a young apprentice silversmith, is caught up in the danger and excitement of 1775 Boston, just before the Revolutionary War. But even more gripping than living through the drama of Revolutionary Boston is the important discovery Johnny makes in his own life.

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