Homeschool Reading Corner - Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

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.

I am not homeschooling my oldest this year like I did last year, so I haven't had much opportunity to check out books that would go well with the schooling she IS doing, but when I found this book among the things brought down from the attic in my garage I thought it was fantastic. Alanna has just started a unit on the Revolutionary War and Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes was found right on time.

This story has been one that I've known since before I was Alanna's age (she's 10). I even brought the movie in for my junior US History class to watch when I was in high school. The book is just a great way to take a look at that time period in history in a more exciting way. Textbooks give you the information but stories like Johnny Tremain give it life. Puts you right in the middle of all of the action, ya know?

At some point either today or tomorrow I'm planning on watching the movie with my girls too. It was a favorite of mine way back when. Hopefully they'll enjoy it just as much.

Cleanin' Out My Clos... er... Garage

I have always been and will always be a book nerd.

So when I moved away to Maine I was devestated to find out my mom cleaned out the garage and tossed ALL of my Saddle Club and Babysitter Club books. I wouldn't be able to give them to my little girls anymore.

My fiance and I have been cleaning out the garage at my mother's the last few days. There were a few good finds here and there. Well, my mother had to have parts of the garage ceiling replaced so the contents of the attic had to be removed.

To my complete and utter joy, when I walked in the garage yesterday afternoon what did I see? A box full of books that I'd read when I was younger. Granted, the books that got thrown away are gone for good.... but this box had the Hardy Boys, Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew, Goosebumps, and things like Anne of Avonlea and Johnny Tremain! I was so excited I dug through the box right away.

 

How awesome is that? Those were just the ones we could carry in on the first trip. I'll go back out for more, believe me. I am particularly excited right now about Johnny Tremain. My oldest is doing Revolutionary War in school and I also just found the movie made from the book!

 

Have you all ever found some treasures you were never expecting to see again?