Good Night, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Good Night, Mr. Tom
Book Review: An Empowering Story
Summary: 5 Stars
This book has the power to make you laugh, cry, and want to sing. It is a story of a young boy learning how to live life with joy and without fear, and an old man remembering how to live life. This book is like a dear friend to me. When every I am unhappy I come and read this story, and I feel that my passion for life is renewed. An excellent book for people of all ages.Book Review: An Extraordinary Book- Samantha
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought this was a very engaging book. Once I picked it up and started reading, I couldn't stop. The way the author explained everything in the book was just unbelievable. I love the way she used a helpless little boy, Willie, and a lonely old man, Mr. Tom, to create such a thrilling story. If you read this book, you will definately be amazed. Some people, not myself, may be able to relate to this book in some ways. The way the war was going on even gives you a glimpse at the horror people had to face during those times. I strongly recommend that you read this book.Book Review: An Interesting Storybook suitable for everbody
Summary: 5 Stars
It is very entertaining, touching and the author knows how to control emotions very well.Book Review: An insight into how the war brought the country together
Summary: 5 Stars
Never in my life has a book made such an effct on me. Chuck "Little Women" and "Jane Eyre" out the window because this book is really quite something. From the first page you get this sense of love in amongst all the strong charaters. The setting is fantastic and provided a way to get the bold charateristics of each characeter seem so realistic! I can't say I didn't cry, because I was a hose for most of the book. But it is nice to have agoo cry one in a while . I would stongly recomend this book to anyone so go and buy it Review: And a God bless you to all rescuers!Summary: 5 Stars "Good Night, Mr. Tom" by Michelle Magorian
Winner, 1982 International Reading Association Children's Book Award
Notable Children's Books of 1982 (ALA)
1982 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
1983 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)
1982 Young Adult Editors' Choices (BL)
1983 Teachers' Choices (NCTE)
Notable 1982 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
1988 Choices (Association of Booksellers for Children)
Children's Books of 1982 (Library of Congress)
It's not often that a book receives so many honors from so many different groups, making "Good Night, Mr. Tom" very special. The story is set during early World War II when London and coastal cities in England were being bombed. Children in these areas were evacuated to the country where willing families took them in for unspecified lengths of service. (If you recall The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, the book or film, then you understand this evacuation.)
Pale, thin, and small for his age, William Beech (Willie, he is called) is placed with Tom Oakley, a gruff man in his 60's and resident of Wierwold, a tiny village north of London. What Tom discovers is a multitude of bruises and sores from repeated beatings with Willie's big belt and buckle that hold up his pants.
It's with this discovery that Tom rises up outside himself to become not only a caretaker for the duration, but eventually a father figure. As a young man, Tom lost his beloved wife and baby son in childbirth and became the town's recluse. We don't know his occupation, but I wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't been a weaver, much like that one in Raveloe, who also was reclaimed by a foundling, that ol' Silas Marner.
Like Silas, Tom has not had much to do with other villagers until now. Caring for an abused boy brings him out of himself and into the world to assume the care--quite capably and generously--for this bedraggled boy.
In the six months or so that Tom has the boy, Willie grows out of his fear into love and friendship. Even at 10 he cannot read, but Tom teaches him. Willie slowly joins a world he didn't know existed. Also, he becomes very best friends with Zach, another evacuee (his first friend at that).
All good things come to an end. Tom receives a telegram from the mother, requesting Willie return home. She is ill and needs him. Willie can barely remember this creature he calls his mother and fears this trip.
"Good Night, Mr. Tom" is truly a heartwarming book. Watching not only Will learn to love, but also Tom is a reading experience to savor. Fearing for Will as he returns to the viper's nest is painful.
The first half of the book is about the opening of hearts and the
welcoming of love and relationships. The second half is about family love.
This is truly a book well worth the reading!