Johnny Texas

by Carol Hoff, Bob Meyers (Illustrator)

In the early days of Texas history, ten-year-old Johann comes from Germany with his family to settle in this vast land and soon grows to love his new home.

Genres: Childrens, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade

150 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Carol Hoff is a published author of children's books and young adult books. In January 2012, the Carol Hoff Meeting Room was named in her honor at the Yorktown, Texas Public Library.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um, I adored this. Found on the shelf in my childhood bedroom—it appears it was a library book-sale purchase. This is the first time I’ve read it.

Written in 1950, it’s a German immigrant family’s story of arriving in Texas. The values are dated but not horrifying. The story sheds perspective on subsistence issues I’m interested in, as an anthropologist. Mustang grapes grow wild here, but they can make your mouth itchy—how do the characters handle their hands turning red when they make grape jelly? (There’s no internet to consult, and they live on acreage, alone. Risk!) They grapple with serious frontier issues, including TX independence. This grown-up dug all of it.

[John Jorgensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, the author, Carol Hoff makes the plot clear to all readers that the reason for the family to move to Texas is, to gain a freedom that has not been achieved for them before. She makes it easy to know what the purpose of the book is, because of the plot, which makes it easy to Identify.


Characterization: Mamma is a german women who liked her home, but her family moved to the U.S. for a change. Pappa is a strong tall man who is looking for a different life in Texas. Johnny Texas is a kid who just wants to take after his father in all aspects of his life.


The setting was in Texas,during the almo time period. In order to have problems with the Mexicans, it had to be during this time period. Without being in the time period that they were in, they wouldn’t have the same challenges that they had if they were in 2013. Texas is a perfect place to base a story from. Texas is wide open, and full of opportunities, but along the way there will be some struggles.


I would recommend this book to any person in middle school or high school. I would recommend this book to a grade schooler, because it is at their reading level. For a high schooler, it is a interesting and easy book to read.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the movie Stone Reader, we are asked to recall the books that initiated our love of reading. Johnny Texas comes to mind immediately for me. After a little searching, Heidi, is there as well. I think I read Heidi first. I must have been younger. My memory isn't quite as vivid. But I know I read it over and over.

The memory of Johnny, however is VIVID. Miss Durdin, my third grade teacher, read it aloud to our class. I was hooked. I never owned a copy until Amazon.com. I now own about 10 copies. But I checked it out from the bookmobile that came to our school, and from the wonderful children's book room of the Tyrell Public library in Beaumont, Texas. I read it over and over. When I became an elementary school teacher, most years I read it aloud to MY classes. It just seemed fitting. And they LOVED it as well.

It was originally published in 1950.

[Elizabeth Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnny Texas by Carol Hoff was first published in 1950. This book was awarded the Charles W. Follet Award in 1950. It is set in Texas in about 1834 or 1835, and ends around March or April of 1836. The story roughly covers the Texas Revolution from Mexico as settlers would have learned of the news. The book is written on a fifth grade level.

The book begins when 10 year old Johann Friedricks and his parents Robert and Clara arrive in Harrisburg, Texas from Leipzig, Germany. Within hours, young Johann is nicknamed Johnny Texas by a stagecoach driver.

The Friedricks buy a farm about a two hour distance from Harrisburg, and begin to learn about their new home. Johnny begins to learn both conversational English and Spanish. He learns how to shoot/hunt game. He is a normal, healthy boy.

One of the conflicts between Mr. and Mrs. Friedricks centers around Tobias. One day, Mr. Friedricks returns from Harrisburg with Tobias, a slave he had purchased to help them around the farm. Mrs. Friedricks did not approve of slavery, and within a month Tobias had his freedom papers which he wore around his neck in a pouch.

A major fear of Mrs. Friedricks centers around the fear of their home being attacked by Indians. Especially since Mrs. Friedricks came from Germany, spoke little English, and lived in isolation from other settlers, she was afraid of the stories she had heard being true.

Mr. Friedricks and Tobias, leave Mrs. Friedricks, Johnny and baby Clara to join the Texas militia. Mrs. Friedricks and the two children first move to Harrisburg, and then join a large "train" of fleeing women, children, and a few men. They return to Harrisburg after learning that on March 2, 1836, Texas became an independent nation. After some confusion and heartbreak, the family is reunited.

I wish that Ms. Hoff had used dates throughout the story. It would have been easier to place the events in their historical context had she done so. As always, the attitudes prevalent at the time are reflected in the story, especially regarding slavery and Native Americans.

[Jaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because my father recommended it to me. He read it as a young child and it began his love of reading and westerns. I can totally understand how this book sparked his passion. It was a wonderfully written story of a family's move to Texas from Germany. Hoff described their adventures, trials, and tribulations. I really enjoyed reading it and sharing my father's past.

[Lucile Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an engaging story about a boy and his family seeking freedom as they settle in Texas. It helps the reader ponder important questions. What is freedom? How are men and women different? Is it worth doing something difficult? This is an excellent book.

[Sydnee Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book in my childhood and loved it again as an adult.

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

KCA read-aloud.

[Kristen]

It’s for the kids lol

[Robert Teasdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a young boy, growing up with my Austin, Texas grandparents as role-models. a thrilling story of a German immigrant family and their trials in becoming "Texans"

a little "old school" for youth of today, but a genuinely wonderful book for young readers. highly recommend

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful family read aloud before bedtime. We all enjoyed learning about the early history of Texas. Johnny is such a good role model for young boys.

[Suzan Pinciotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for anyone who has German, Czech or Polish family that immigrated to Texas in the 1800s.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot packed into this short book. A German family immigrates to the Texas territory in the 1830. About settling/homesteading, hunting, planting, community, slavery, bravery.

[David Braly · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the early days of Texas history, ten-year-old Johann comes from Germany with his family to settle in this vast land and soon grows to love his new home.

[Lorena Zepeda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first full book i read from start to finish on my own...