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Esther Forbes (1891–1967)

Författare till Johnny Tremain: A Story of Boston in Revolt

19+ verk 10,556 medlemmar 95 recensioner

Om författaren

Forbes was the author of six historical novels and four books of nonfiction for adults, as well as the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in history in 1942 for her adult biography, Paul Revere and the World He Lived In Paul Revere and the World He Lived In (1942). Yet Forbes's reputation is primarily visa mer as a children's writer, resting particularly on Johnny Tremain (1942), an offshoot of her research for the adult Paul Revere biography and considered by many the best example of historical fiction ever written for children. Johnny Tremain follows the story of a silversmith's apprentice as he stumbles into the American Revolution and gains insight into his own character. In writing about the life of an ordinary citizen of Boston at that time, Forbes wanted to show, in her words, "not merely what was done but why and how people felt." Originally intending to keep Johnny neutral during the Revolution, she changed her mind as a result of the advent of World War II, because she saw parallels between the two wars and wanted to show young readers those parallels. Although this may have resulted in some pushing of contemporary ideology onto a historical setting, most critics have praised the story's accuracy. It was and remains an important book for promoting the idea that young readers can grasp mature writing. Forbes's only other book for children, America's Paul Revere, summarizes that man's life. (Bowker Author Biography) visa färre

Verk av Esther Forbes

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Taggad

Allmänna fakta

Namn enligt folkbokföringen
Forbes, Esther Louise
Födelsedag
1891-06-28
Avled
1967-08-12
Kön
female
Nationalitet
USA
Födelseort
Westborough, Massachusetts, USA
Dödsort
Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
Dödsorsak
rheumatic heart disease
Bostadsorter
New York, New York, USA
Weston, Massachusetts, USA
Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Utbildning
Bancroft School
Bradford Academy
University of Wisconsin
Yrken
historical novelist
children's book author
novelist
biographer
editor
journalist (visa alla 7)
short story writer
Relationer
Adams, Samuel (great uncle)
Forbes, Harriette Merrifield (mother)
Organisationer
American Antiquarian Society (1960)
Houghton Mifflin
Society of American Historians
Priser och utmärkelser
Pulitzer Prize (History, 1943)
Newbery Medal (1944)
Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1949)
Kort biografi
Esther Forbes grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, was one of the first girls to attended the Bancroft School, and then went to Bradford Academy, a junior college in Bradford, Massachusetts. After graduating in 1912, she joined her older sisters Cornelia and Katherine in Madison, Wisconsin, where she took history classes at the University of Wisconsin. She also joined the editorial board of the Wisconsin Literary Magazine. She published her first short story in 1915. In 1919, she returned to Massachusetts and began working for the editorial department of the Houghton Mifflin Company in Boston. From 1924-1926. she wrote feature articles for the Boston Evening Transcript. In 1926, she married Albert L. Hoskins, Jr., an attorney, and moved with him to New York City. Esther's first novel, O Genteel Lady! was published in 1926 and selected for the Book of the Month Club. A Mirror for Witches was published two years later. In 1933, Esther and her husband divorced, and although she retained her married name, she continued to write under her birth name of Esther Forbes. She returned to Worcester and lived with her mother and unmarried siblings. Esther's mother Harriette Merrifield Forbes, was an historian who assisted her daughter in some of her research for her books. Esther published several further historical novels during this period, including Miss Marvel (1935) and The General's Lady (1938). Most of her books were set in New England from colonial times through the early years of the new republic. In a break from fiction, Esther wrote a biography of Paul Revere, still considered a definitive work by scholars, for which she received the Pulitzer Prize in History in 1943. It helped inspire what became her best-known work, the novel Johnny Tremain (1943), for which she received the Newbery Award in 1944. Esther was elected to membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and in 1960, became the first woman elected to the American Antiquarian Society. Her novel Rainbow on the Road (1955) was later turned into a Broadway musical under the title Come Summer (1969).

Medlemmar

Recensioner

Mom first read this book to me in school, and I remember being captivated by the story. Several years later, I was able to find a cassette recording of the story in our local library, and enjoyed going through it again. Then just recently, I remembered it had been a while since I read it, and decided to enjoy it again.

At this point, I’m not sure how many times I’ve heard or read the story—Mom has read it aloud at least once since she first read it to me. But no matter how many times I’ve read it, it’s managed to retain its place as one of my top favorite Revolutionary War novels.

This book has depth, intensity, and rich, relatable characters. You feel like you’re right there, trying to smuggle messages under the British soldiers’ noses, or riding free on Goblin’s back after winning the right to ride him. This book brings to life the trials and hopes of apprentices, as well as giving a glimpse into the world of the wealthy at the time. There’s history, a dash of romance, family, and deep friendship…this book has it all, and Forbes does an excellent job pulling it all together into one magnificent, unforgettable tale.

If you enjoy reading about American history but haven’t read this book yet, I’d highly recommend you pick this up. It’s a gem.
… (mer)
 
Flaggad
EstherFilbrun | 82 andra recensioner | Feb 28, 2024 |
Fourteen-year-old Johnny Tremain, an apprentice silversmith with a bright future ahead of him, injures his hand in a tragic accident, forcing him to look for other work. In his new job as a horse-boy, riding for the patriotic newspaper The Boston Observer and as a messenger for the Sons of Liberty, he encounters John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Dr. Joseph Warren.

Soon Johnny is involved in the pivotal events of the American Revolution, from the Boston Tea Party to the first shots fired at Lexington.… (mer)
 
Flaggad
PlumfieldCH | 82 andra recensioner | Dec 26, 2023 |
I read this book because I couldn't remember it from reading it in junior high. I will be reading this one to my boys!
 
Flaggad
CarolHicksCase | 82 andra recensioner | Mar 12, 2023 |
Good Revolutionary War novel.
 
Flaggad
kslade | 82 andra recensioner | Dec 8, 2022 |

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Statistik

Verk
19
Även av
8
Medlemmar
10,556
Popularitet
#2,255
Betyg
3.8
Recensioner
95
ISBN
107
Språk
2

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