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26th out of 423 books
—
612 voters
Good Night, Mr. Tom
London is poised on the brink of World War II. Timid, scrawny Willie Beech - the abused child of a single mother - is evacuated to the English countryside. At first, he is terrified of everything, of the country sounds and sights, even on Mr. Tom, the gruff, kindly old man who has taken him in. But gradually Willie forgets the hate and despair of his past. He learns to lov...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
November 13th 1986
by HarperTeen
(first published 1981)
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Now here's a book I had to read for school. Primary school, in fact. I think I must have been in Year 5 or 6 (at the age of 10) when my teacher gave us this as the class reading book before we started studying World War II. (Years 5 and 6 at my school shared the same classroom and same materials. Aren't tiny little village schools with only 65 pupils great?) It made all of my class cry our eyes out.
Good Night, Mister Tom is set during World War II, and it's about a grouchy old man (Tom Oakley)...more
Good Night, Mister Tom is set during World War II, and it's about a grouchy old man (Tom Oakley)...more
May 30, 2008
Mimi
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Mimi by:
Librarian Mrs. Wilson (middle school)
Shelves:
childrens-chapter,
historical-fiction
Such a beautiful, beautiful book. It was recommended to me by the librarian at my middle school who hosted a group called the Bookmunchers where nerdy ones, like myself, could eat their lunches in the library every Wednesday.
Even through the horrors facing people in WWII London we are shown the true love that can happen from makeshift families like that made up of Mr. Tom and Willie. It's a book that changed my life as a child. It made me feel safe to know that even when we're at the worst plac...more
Even through the horrors facing people in WWII London we are shown the true love that can happen from makeshift families like that made up of Mr. Tom and Willie. It's a book that changed my life as a child. It made me feel safe to know that even when we're at the worst plac...more
15 likes
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"Takes yer time, everythin' 'as its own time."
So I have this theory that whenever I read a book where there is a gruff old man who is prickly on the outside but a big softie in the middle, I will love it.
This book is one of my all-time favourites and I know I say that about every book, but I definitely mean it this time.
I first read it when I was about ten and I was in Year 5, learning about WW2 and the Blitz and evacuees. Seeing as I had read all the books we had to read and I was allowed to...more
So I have this theory that whenever I read a book where there is a gruff old man who is prickly on the outside but a big softie in the middle, I will love it.
This book is one of my all-time favourites and I know I say that about every book, but I definitely mean it this time.
I first read it when I was about ten and I was in Year 5, learning about WW2 and the Blitz and evacuees. Seeing as I had read all the books we had to read and I was allowed to...more
16 likes
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Dec 22, 2012
Bettie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
radio-4x,
published-1981,
winter-20122013,
wwii,
young-adult,
fradio,
historical-fiction,
classic,
britain-england
Listen here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/...
At Phoenix Theatre, West End this month: http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/goodn...What a horrible mother.
Zack! Noooooooooooo!
3 likes
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The last time I read this book - 2008, I think - I said that I thought the writing was quite flat and unemotive. Re-reading this has changed my mind. It's just told simply, rather than unemotively. It's a children's book set in the Second World War and several bad things happen and, perhaps more importantly for a children's novel, they happen to good people. It would be in bad taste altogether to be too graphic or dramatic. The simple writing style just makes everything seem more true, somehow....more
3 likes
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Feb 08, 2009
Josie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
childrens-fiction,
historical-fiction
We had to read this in primary school, and it's been one of my most-read, well-loved books ever since. It doesn't seem enough to say, "Oh, it's a really touching story," because it's so much more than that. Willie is a young boy who's been abused by his mother all his life, so when he's evacuated to the countryside he's a quivering nervous wreck. He expects to be beaten for everything he gets wrong. The widower he stays with, Tom Oakley, is gruff and blunt and has shunned company ever since his...more
Goodnight Mr Tom book review
This novel is about a 10 year old boy called William who gets evacuated to the country because of the bombing in London during World War 2. He goes to live with Mr Tom who looks after and cares for him.
An aspect I enjoyed was when Willie was sent back to London. I enjoyed this part because the author of the book not only tells you what it is like to live in the country during the war but also how London was. I think this is really interesting as it is not only a good...more
This novel is about a 10 year old boy called William who gets evacuated to the country because of the bombing in London during World War 2. He goes to live with Mr Tom who looks after and cares for him.
An aspect I enjoyed was when Willie was sent back to London. I enjoyed this part because the author of the book not only tells you what it is like to live in the country during the war but also how London was. I think this is really interesting as it is not only a good...more
“Goodnight Mister Tom” is about when Willie is evacuated to the countryside. He lives with an old man named Tom. The two develop a close relationship and both change each other. It kind of fitted into the genre in my mind of really good-but-sad-but-happy books based on a lovable child growing up during the time of WW2. Some things about the book I liked was that it was set in England and I got to learn about the effect it had on people. Before I started this I honestly knew close to nothing abou...more
Before I began reading this book, I was quite skeptical. Would it really be as good as everyone said? I was sure that it would disappoint me, but I'm happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised!
This novel is about a small boy from London called Willie. He is evacuated to the country side as a result of the bombings in London. He stays with a lonely old man called Mr Tom and they overcome obstacles and create a new life together. This story follows Willie as he meets new people, experiences new...more
This novel is about a small boy from London called Willie. He is evacuated to the country side as a result of the bombings in London. He stays with a lonely old man called Mr Tom and they overcome obstacles and create a new life together. This story follows Willie as he meets new people, experiences new...more
Book review - Goodnight Mr. Tom
By Michelle Magorian
This novel is about a boy called Willie being evacuated from London to the countryside during WWII. He goes through changes in his life and experiences new things such as going to school, making new friends etc. Life becomes a whole new journey for him.
An aspect of this book that i enjoyed, was learning about WWII while reading a good book. I learnt about evacuation and how they protected themselves from bombs. This book was enjoyable yet inform...more
By Michelle Magorian
This novel is about a boy called Willie being evacuated from London to the countryside during WWII. He goes through changes in his life and experiences new things such as going to school, making new friends etc. Life becomes a whole new journey for him.
An aspect of this book that i enjoyed, was learning about WWII while reading a good book. I learnt about evacuation and how they protected themselves from bombs. This book was enjoyable yet inform...more
Over the past couple of weeks I read the novel Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian. It is focused on the topic of children who are evacuated from their homes during the Second World War. The book follows the story of a young boy named William Beech who is evacuated from his abusive home in London to live in the country with a reclusive man named Mr Tom Oakley. During the course of the book Willie learns people really care about him and Mr Tom learns to be more open and welcoming to people....more
The novel is about a young boy named Willie Beech, he is evacuated to the home of an elderly man Mr. Tom Okley out in the English countryside. Mr. Tom heals the young boy, and loses him when his mother calls him home. Then he finds him in a horrific state, saves his life and brings him back to health and a happy life for them together.
An aspect of this book I enjoyed was how the author of the book has written the book from the perspective of some one watching over them. I think it gives the book...more
An aspect of this book I enjoyed was how the author of the book has written the book from the perspective of some one watching over them. I think it gives the book...more
Goodnight Mr. Tom is a novel about a young named William Beech or more commonly known Will or Willie, who is evacuated form the war stricken London to the peaceful countryside, where he stays with an old man named Tom Oakley and his dog Sammy. I think the most interesting part of this book is when Willie calls Mr. Tom “dad.” This is an aspect I enjoyed the most because it showcases the strong bond that has been created between the two of them, this bond symbolizes the love and respect they have...more
This book is about a young boy called Willie who is evacuated because of the bombing that is occurring in London. He lives in the countryside with Mr Tom Oakley and learns the real way of life. To live to love and to be loved. But his life is shattered by his mother when she summons him back to London.
An aspect of this novel that I particularly enjoyed was close to the end where Tom travelled to London in order to visit Willie. He comes to Willies rescue and finds him in a terrible state. He kid...more
An aspect of this novel that I particularly enjoyed was close to the end where Tom travelled to London in order to visit Willie. He comes to Willies rescue and finds him in a terrible state. He kid...more
Mar 20, 2013
Shreya
added it
I found reading Goodnight Mr. Tom a great book! it was a touching story about a young boy being constantly tortured by his mother and not getting the life that a normal boy his age would. Finally he gets the opportunity by staying with Tom; a widower who learns how to be happy with this young boy. This book taught me how Willie got over his fears by the end of the book. Good Night Mr. Tom was quite informative as well. It gave you a good picture of how life was back in the days of World War II....more
This novel is about a young boy named William Beech, who's evacuated from his home in London to escape World War 2, finding himself in a little village in the country, Weirwold. However, this is not just an escape from the war it's also a way out of his old life. Leaving behind his abusive mother and poor lifestyle. This novel shows the growth of the unsocial, scared and malnourished little boy William once was. It shows his journey to a new start, a new way of life.
I enjoyed the aspect of how n...more
I enjoyed the aspect of how n...more
I don’t think there is anyone who could read this book and not enjoy it, it is a delightful book, and you run the gamut of emotions reading it, happiness, and sadness. I have not read this book for a few years and decided to re-read it, it has a real feel good factor about it. The story is set in the 2nd world war when many families from the cities were advised to send their children to the countryside, as the cities would obviously be a target for bombing campaigns. The children many of them fr...more
I hardly ever give a book 5 stars. Goodnight Mister Tom doesn't have all the technical brilliance other books I have read are filled with, but what it does have is the ability to reduce it's reader to tears because they have become such a big part of the story. I know that finishing this book was utterly depressing for me. I couldn't share in the characters tears anymore, I couldn't feel the pain Mr. Tom described as he thought of his wife and child and he looks at William and remembered. Before...more
I just finished this book with a group of 10 & 11 year old students. I have taught it numerous times, and continue to find it as one of the best books to hook students on historical fiction. It is a warm, tragic, informative & beautiful story! Although it is 26 years old, the story of the evacuee Willie Beech continues to hold the interest of students. In fact, it hooks them every time! The book relates a story of this young boy who is chosen to live with the man he calls Mr. Tom, who is...more
I immediately thought of Goodnight Mr Tom as my favourite childhood book. I remember reading it and feeling so sad for Willie throughout the book, I don't think I'd been as drawn to any of the books I had read previously.
The book is set around the time of World War II when lots of children, particularly from the East end of London were evacuated to the country. Willie is taken to Tom Oakley's house, we later find out that Tom's wife and son have died some years earlier. Neither Tom or Willie ar...more
The book is set around the time of World War II when lots of children, particularly from the East end of London were evacuated to the country. Willie is taken to Tom Oakley's house, we later find out that Tom's wife and son have died some years earlier. Neither Tom or Willie ar...more
This is a heart wrenching tale of a little boy from London, William Beech, who is evacuated to the countryside during the Second World War. Timid and "sickly", he slowly forms a strong bond with Tom Oakley, a reclusive widower in whose care he is placed. Tom soon realises the child has been a victim of neglect and abuse. Under Tom's loving care, not only does his health improve, but Willie, as he is called, learns to read and write and discover his talent at drawing and dramatics. He meets Zach,...more
I cannot begin to explain how much I loved this book. I was a bit sceptical at first as I was only young when I - or rather, my dad, read this to me as I had heard it had a lot of violence in it. That was why my dad read it to me - so he could cut out bits if he needed to as my younger brother was going to listen to it as well.
I needn't have worried.
From the very beginning when old Mister Tom takes young Willie in because of the war I was hooked, I could tell Mister Tom had a kind heart undernea...more
I needn't have worried.
From the very beginning when old Mister Tom takes young Willie in because of the war I was hooked, I could tell Mister Tom had a kind heart undernea...more
Read as a contender for read-aloud 12/13 school year. Tale of child evacuees from London at beginning of WWII.
Rare, heart-softening, heart-breaking, eventually heart-thrilling.
Magorian did a wonderful job with the whole thing, language, characters, landscape, how she dealt with hard things, how she envisions healing, how she envisions love and friendship, how she envisions how & why people need each other, how she envisions a true community. She really, really got into the minds of the cha...more
Rare, heart-softening, heart-breaking, eventually heart-thrilling.
Magorian did a wonderful job with the whole thing, language, characters, landscape, how she dealt with hard things, how she envisions healing, how she envisions love and friendship, how she envisions how & why people need each other, how she envisions a true community. She really, really got into the minds of the cha...more
This book is set in Britain during WW2. During this time, many children were evacuated from the cities to live in the country. Willie Beech is one of these children. He is a small, timid and abused boy that gets the opportunity to experience a loving and caring home environment when he starts living with the recluse Mr Tom Oakley. He thrives living in the country especially when he befriends another young evacuee Zach and the other local children. Mr Tom treats him with kindness and cares for hi...more
Goodnight Mr. Tom Review
Goodnight Mr. Tom is the wonderful story of young Willie Beech. Evacuated from London, he is taken into care by grumpy, old Mister Tom. Willie is dirt poor and has been treated so badly by his mother that he hardly talks and is scared to make friends. However, under the care of kind Mister Tom, his personality blossoms and he changes into a normal child. Willie and Tom reply on each other for emotional support more and more as the story progresses. I like this book becaus...more
Goodnight Mr. Tom is the wonderful story of young Willie Beech. Evacuated from London, he is taken into care by grumpy, old Mister Tom. Willie is dirt poor and has been treated so badly by his mother that he hardly talks and is scared to make friends. However, under the care of kind Mister Tom, his personality blossoms and he changes into a normal child. Willie and Tom reply on each other for emotional support more and more as the story progresses. I like this book becaus...more
Book Review.
Goodnight mister Tom.
Goodnight Mister Tom is set in World War 11. A young evacuate called William Beech, He’s a shy young boy who is taken out of his home in London.
Willie is eight years old and lived with his mum in London; he has been evacuated to the country with other children. They were all placed in homes around the town and Willie was put in Mr Tom Oakley’s home. Tom is an old grumpy man who has lived on his own for serial years now and when Willie comes along he doesn’t know...more
Goodnight mister Tom.
Goodnight Mister Tom is set in World War 11. A young evacuate called William Beech, He’s a shy young boy who is taken out of his home in London.
Willie is eight years old and lived with his mum in London; he has been evacuated to the country with other children. They were all placed in homes around the town and Willie was put in Mr Tom Oakley’s home. Tom is an old grumpy man who has lived on his own for serial years now and when Willie comes along he doesn’t know...more
This was a beautiful book, that I discovered at a very significant time in my life. This is a young adult book and is perfect for a 10-12 year old child. The character of Tom, a loyal, generous, caring, straight forward, man from a small town in Northern England, reminded me so much of my grandfather who passed away while I was reading the book. WWI has just begun when a lady arrives at Tom's door with a group of evacuee children from London. She asks him if he will take Willie, an impoverished...more
The story of ‘Goodnight Mister Tom’ begins with a small boy named Willie being sent as an evacuee to a small town named ‘Little Weirwold’. He has been lead to stay with an old man named Thomas Oakleigh as his mother thinks that it is not safe to stay in London during the war. At the start of his stay, Willie is very shy and lacks confidence, but as the story progresses, a relationship is formed between Willie and Little Weirworld that not even his mother can break. Willie finds himself with a gr...more
Mar 10, 2012
Aoife
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone
Recommended to Aoife by:
My sister
(Btw - this is my first review!)
Goodnight Mister Tom is a novel that would suit ALL AGES. It's heart-warming and eye-opening.
THE WRITING;
While the writing is often criticised I thought that it was perfect. The author didn't want to write "all emotional' like" and I don't think she wanted to write sympathetically about Will(ie). She simply wanted the reader the feel how they wanted to feel and I think how she wrote the novel made it for me. It was also quite humorous - especially the parts inclu...more
Goodnight Mister Tom is a novel that would suit ALL AGES. It's heart-warming and eye-opening.
THE WRITING;
While the writing is often criticised I thought that it was perfect. The author didn't want to write "all emotional' like" and I don't think she wanted to write sympathetically about Will(ie). She simply wanted the reader the feel how they wanted to feel and I think how she wrote the novel made it for me. It was also quite humorous - especially the parts inclu...more
I remember reading this book in primary school and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had no problem picking it up again to read. This is a beautiful touching story. William Beech is a young boy who has been abused by his horrid mother all his life. During the Second World War he is evacuated to the countryside and is put into the care of Mr Tom. Mr Tom is a widower; he is gruff and blunt and has kept away from company ever since his wife died during childbirth. Mr. Tom was less than pleased when he was l...more
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British children's author Michelle Magorian - author of the celebrated Goodnight, Mr. Tom (1981), which won The Guardian Children's Fiction Prize - was born in Southsea, Portsmouth, in 1947. She trained to be an actress, studying at the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama, and at Marcel Marceau's L'école Internationale de Mime in Paris. While pursuing an acting career, Magorian became interes...more
More about Michelle Magorian...
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“I’d rather be happy and odd than miserable and ordinary,' she said, sticking her chin in the air.”
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21 people liked it
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I also had to read it at sc...more
Nov 12, 2012 05:00am