One of my favorite books

William finds a second chance at a happy life when a reclusive hermit, in the English countryside, adopts him.The two help each other to take part in the world again despite its joys and sorrow. This novel can be helpful to kids who read it so they realize even in the bleakest of moments of life there is still hope.

A worthy classic. This book deals with many topics including World War II and the evacuation of children from London, and child abuse. The deaths of Will's baby sister, Trudy, and his best friend, Zach, are just part of a powerful whole. Trudy's death is problematic as it is a result of their mother's abuse and neglect brought about by her unstable mental condition. Her subsequent suicide is a relief and provides Will an opportunity to experience a normal childhood. Will cannot fully assimilate Trudy's death because he has to heal himself. Zach's death results in Will withdrawing into himself. But his emergence from grief gives Will the chance to become the child he should always have been. Will realises that he can live without Zach even though [he] still misses him. The BBC telemovie version is also worth viewing. ( )

About an orphan who has to live with and old hermit grump. Really good, and important to me because it showed how hard life could be and that i had to be thankful for what i had. ( )

I loved this book as soon as I started to read it. Well written and very moving - a memorable read

Goodnight Mister Tom is a brilliant children’s book set at the beginning of World War II. It was first published in 1981, but Michelle Magorian did a lot of research into the events, people, speech, and even the clothes of the period.

Even before Britain declared war on Germany, children from the country’s inner cities were being evacuated to country towns and villages, to escape the bombings that would accompany the outbreak of fighting. In Goodnight Mister Tom, one of these evacuees is nine-year-old Willie Beech, a small, underfed, silent boy who is billeted with the crotchety old Tom Oakley in the village of Little Weirwold.

Under Tom’s care, Willie begins to enjoy life, even making a few new friends, including the delightful Zacharias Wrench (”My parents have a cruel sense of humour.”) Although I love Will, Zach, the bold and well-spoken son of two actors, is one of my favourite fictional characters. His exchanges with some of the other characters, particularly the taciturn Tom, are some of the funniest parts of the book.

Goodnight Mister Tom is one of the best kids’ books I’ve ever read, and one of the few that I’ve loved every bit as much on re-reading as an adult. I’ve never tried any of Magorian’s other books—something I’ll have to remedy as soon as possible! ( )

it's a really cozy story ( )

Although this is a young adult book I found it a wonderfully warm book to read. I must admit that I found its warmth and sentiment wonderful. I would recommend it to anyone of any age to read ( )

Riveting, sad, informing and ultimately uplifting. The story of an evacuee in the second world war. One of my all-time favourite books. ( )

It's not often that a book moves me to tears, especially on a re-read, but Goodnight Mister Tom gave me definate sniffles. This is the story of an evacuee, Willie Beech, who is placed with an elderly churchwarden, Mister Thomas Oakley. We travel with Willie through over a year of his life at the beginning of World War 2 centered mostly in the charming country village of Little Weirwold. The village is filled with memorable characters, none more so than Tom himself. The book is beautifully paced with enough historical detail to provide authenticity without swamping the story. Highly recommended for young readers and adults alike. ( )

Genre Realistic
Reading age 11 to 14


Annotation:
William Beech almost nine-years-old, undernourished, physically and emotionally abused and unable to read or write is fostered onto old Tom Oakley as an evacuee from London. Tom disturbed at what he sees in the child gradually earns the boys trust, while at the same time the boy brings him a sense of purpose his life has lacked for the forty years since his wife and child died. Will has only just regained health and a confidence in himself as part of a small and caring community when his mother recalls him to London. Worried when he doesn't hear from the boy, old Tom and his dog, Sammy, go to London to find Will. It is Sammy who sniffs out the boy locked in a cupboard under the stairs, tied to a pipe, holding a dead baby and on the verge of death himself. Frustrated by the authorities Tom kidnaps Will and takes him home. Much later they learn that Will's mother has committed suicide and Tom is allowed to adopt the boy. In another strand to the story Will's best friend, another evacuee is killed in an air raid when he returns to London to visit his injured family.

review:
http://www.readingmatters.co.uk/book.... ( )

This is one of my favourite children's books, and I would recommend it to everyone.
It tells the story of a boy evacuated during the Blitz, who ends up living with an old man, who thinks he is too old and set in his ways to look after a small boy, but gradually their friendship blossoms and grows.
A fabulous book ( )

I absoloutly adored this book. Such a beautiful story & Wonderfully written. A Real must read.
Mr Tom is a gruff old man, who you wouldn't think would take to kindly to having a young ecacuee staying in his home. But it's not long before his kindness is showing through & Will and Mr Tom form a wonderful bond. ( )

www.thebookpond.se ( )

A really, really good book. Will's mother is absolutely horrible...

Probably the best children's book I have ever read. Thank you Jim Trealease and your Read Aloud Handbook for suggesting it. ( )

I cried rivers when I first read this in my teens- and I still do. It's sentimental at times, and I guess one can wonder what psycological scars Will will have as an adult, but it's engaging and the persons alive. ( )