Johnny Tremain
The book, Johnny Tremain is an excellent text from the Revolutionary War, dealing with friendship, prejudice, history, and to spice the storyline, there is a bit of romance. Jonathan Lyte Tremain (Johnny Tremain) is an arrogant apprentice at the Lapham silversmith shop in Boston, Massachusetts during the 1700’s. He was orphaned at a young age, for his mother died of tuberculosis. Johnny as well as two other boys, Dove and Dusty, worked for the old Mr. Lapham. Johnny would boss the two around, and let his skill get to his head. While casting a silver sugar basin on the Sabbath, which was highly forbidden, his apprentice mate, Dove, who was rather rotund, handed him a cracked crucible (a crucible is a jar made out of sand which holds melted silver) hoping that something wicked would happen. When Johnny picked it up, it broke in his hands and burnt his right hand tremendously. Pricilla (Cilla), Mr. Lapham’s granddaughter was supposed to marry Johnny when they grew older, and had pity for the handsome Johnny. After a few days of having his hand wrapped, Mrs. Lapham un-wrapped it, and to her surprise, Johnny’s thumb had grown inward with his forefinger. Mrs. Lapham now finds him worthless, and throws him out to find a new job. He must move. Meanwhile, conflicts between the British and Americans grew, soon to roar out as the American Revolution. Will Johnny fight with his injured hand? Will he marry Cilla? Will Johnathan Lyte Tremain find out he is a descendant of a wealthy merchant? Read the book, Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. This book is thrilling, exciting, and romantic. It helps your comprehension of the Revolutionary War.