The Printer's Apprentice

by Stephen Krensky

In 1734 New York, watching the trial of printer Peter Zenger, who has been charged with printing scandalous opinions about the governor, his ten-year-old apprentice, Gus Croft, wonders about the freedom of the press. Reprint.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Middle Grade

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here’s a short little book that covers the basic events surrounding John Peter Zenger, a printer in early New York who printed truths about the Governor which sent him to jail and had him face trial for libel.

It was good. The main character is a young boy who begins to realize that loyalty shouldn’t outweigh justice.

Ages: 6 - 12

Cleanliness: mentions an alcoholic drink. A boy goes into a tavern where people are drinking. A girl is angry that she can’t apprentice but has to do cleaning and cooking (disregarding the fact that she is often allowed to work in her father’s book shop).

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[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for young children

This book is perfect for elementary school children. The writing is not cumbersome, it tells a straight forward story that also manages to teach a brief lesson in apprenticeships, what's involved in being a printer, and in how free speech came to be valued in America! Really, it's amazing what is packed in this slim volume. The Afterward, which briefly explains what in the book is fiction, and which is historic fact really took the book from good to great. I learned a thing or two myself and I'm pretty active politically.

Highly recommend.

[C.J. Milbrandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a story based on real historical events, Gus is apprenticed to a printer in New York in 1735. Tidbits of life in pre-Revolutionary America, with plenty of name dropping. Sprinkled with adages from Poor Richard's Almanac. Although my favorite part may be how Krensky deftly wove in examples of how printer's jargon worked its way into the English language (eg. "out of sorts").

Based on the cover art, I expected a comedy, but this is a serious look at life as it was, the connection between the press and politics, and the first stirrings of the American push for liberty. Good stuff.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good historical fiction story that incorporates a lot of colonial living, as it tells the unfolding of the Peter Zenger trial for printing 'libel' against the King's appointed governor, from the point of view of an apprentice of a rival printer. It makes mention of everyday life in the colonies (apprenticeships, cooking, how a printing press worked), and pulls in references to Poor Richard's Almanack and Ben Franklin. I never learned (or maybe just forgot) about Peter Zenger, and the importance of this trial as it helped to establish our freedom of the press. I thought it was a good way to talk about it with the kids. As they looked at the issue of, "Should Peter Zenger go to jail for printing criticism about the governor?", they, along with Gus (the apprentice), went through the process of "Shouldn't we support the government and be loyal? If what he was printing was true, don't people have the right to know?","Is it worth supporting him and the freedom of the press if the risk is bring arrested yourself?", etc. As an aside, it was very interesting to find out the origin of the terms "upper case" and "lower case" letters, as the types were sorted into 2 cases to be stored, the capital letters in the upper case, and the other letters in lower case.

[Chrisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't remember being blown away by this book. But now, as I look back on the events that are chronicled in this book, I am blown away with gratitude for the history of free speech. I think it would be a good way to continue the discussion for kids at this age... if my library hadn't weeded it. :)

[Shanjida begum · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a good book you should read this book

[Brenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book!

[Mellanie C]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14819252