93 pages • 3 hours read
Esther ForbesJohnny Tremain
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1943A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Originally published in 1943, Esther Forbes’s Johnny Tremain is a classic middle-grade historical fiction/adventure novel. After a prideful accident ends 14-year-old Johnny Tremain’s promising career as a silversmith, his search for a new trade leads to his direct involvement in the early events of the American Revolution. The novel won a Newbery Medal and explores themes of self-sacrifice, humility, and change. Content includes mentions of wartime violence, slavery, racism, ableism, brief offensive language, and harmful impersonation of Indigenous people.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Esther Forbes' Johnny Tremain is widely praised for its engaging storytelling and historical accuracy, bringing the American Revolution to life for young readers. Critics commend its compelling protagonist and rich detail, although some find the pacing slow at times. Overall, it is considered a valuable educational read, blending adventure with historical insights.
Who Should Read Johnny Tremain?
Readers who enjoy historically rich, coming-of-age novels like Esther Forbes’ Johnny Tremain are often drawn to stories blending personal growth with significant historical events. Fans of My Brother Sam Is Dead or The Witch of Blackbird Pond will appreciate the detailed Revolutionary War setting and the protagonist’s transformative journey.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
840L