The Burning Glass

by Annabel Johnson, Edgar Johnson

KIRKUS REVIEW
The title refers to a magnifying glass that Jeb, the fifteen year old hero, gives to an Indian boy who is afraid to use it for fear that in melting snow with it he will be responsible for making the spring come a moment too soon. It's a story of growing up in mid-nineteenth century America and Jeb wants to rush the process of reaching a man's estate. He leaves his family and apprentices himself to Armand Deschute, a French fur trader reluctant to take the totally inexperienced boy into hostile Indian territory. Deschute is as moodily dedicated to justice and fair play as Batman (too good to read true), and the businessman and farmer who pay him as their guide West are stereotypes which nevertheless allow the authors to show the attitudes and habits of the time. When they are captured by Indians, Jeb's ability to learn fast (some excellent passages here on sign language) saves his scalp; some of the upside down virtues venerated by the Indian tribe provide Jeb with the contrasts that lead to mature insight. It's a rather slow book what with Armand and Jeb contemplating their navels as often as they do, but with the usual Johnson expertise in setting, character-building points and some excellent action passages.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

From the age of twelve, Annabel was dedicated to a future of being an author, so that by the time she was twenty she had begun to see the happenings of her life as material for books to come. Prior to her writing career she worked in publishing houses as a librarian, as a legal secretary, and in other secretarial posts.

In 1955 she and her husband Edgar began their co-authorship by writing historical novels of the old West, traveling the country, visiting the scenes of their stories and delving into their research while living in an eight-foot camping trailer, trying to make ends meet on an author’s meager royalties. They had no home base, except a certain spot in the Mojave Desert in winter, and another site in the National Forest in Wyoming in the summer.

The Johnsons co-authored many popular works of historical and science fiction both for young adults and adults. They began their career together, however, with several novels set in the Old West, intending to bring that period to life for children far removed from the country. They spent several years traveling throughout the western United States, seeking out little known facets of western history, and compiling accounts of old-timers they met, and of their own experiences. As time passed they shifted their focus more toward the present era, in an effort to help their readers come to terms with today's world.

In 1966, with the growing success of their books, they settled in Denver, but after Edgar’s death, Annabel came home to Arizona, to continue her career in the desert setting she has always loved. She bought a lovely home in Leisure World and settled in. With each new novel she wrote her excitement never left her.

Annabell Jones Johnson passed into a new life February 9, 2013.

Reviews

[Roberto Galindo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this in the high school library. a Great story, loved it. A little choppy throughout and, as always, little written about the surrounding nature. A good ending though. So glad I found it.