Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian

Ratings:
Age Group: 10/11 + Availability: 5/10 Cleanliness: 8/10 Overall: ****

Review:


Goodnight Mister Tom is set in a small English village during the Second World War. A poor abused boy from London is evacuated there and meets Tom Oakley who shows the boy the only love he's ever experienced. At first, Willie, the boy, hardly knows what to make of 'Mister Tom', but soon grows to love him like a father and the man finds his own affection for Willie growing, ending with him adopting Willie as his own. Through many events the boy finds out that he is worth something and is not as horrible a child as his mother tells him he is.

The book has many admirable qualities and the narrative is told very well and with an open, easily understandable style. The story itself is inspiring and quite touching, being one of the very few books which have made me cry. I literally read it cover to cover in one sitting the first time I read it and it continues to be a favourite despite its slightly younger audience aim.

Goodnight Mister Tom is a classic wartime story definitely worth reading. My edition is even part of the 'Puffin Modern Classics' series. It is suitable for children aged around ten and up and would make a good read-aloud for those so inclined. For teens, it is a good book to read when studying WWII to give a better picture of Home Front life.

Goodnight Mister Tom, by Michelle Magorian. Copyright 1981. It is available in most good libraries and bookshops.