What do you think is the main idea of this story?

This is a thematic question. There are many themes to this story. I'm partial to "Finding One's Place in Life". The novel traces the two years leading up to the American Revolution, but it is also a story about growing up in any time. Johnny must try many different jobs and types of behavior before he can become a brave, self-sacrificing man. Forbes suggests that although Johnny often makes things worse for himself through his immature behavior, he is a good person deep down and that learning through experience is the only way one can find one's niche in life.