Goodnight Mister Tom, first published in 1981, is a children's book, written by Michelle Magorian, which won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize and the International Reading Association Award. She has also written Back Home and Just Henry, which won the Costa Award.
Goodnight Mister Tom is about a frightened and neglected boy, William Beech, who is evacuated from London to Little Wierwold, to stay with Tom Oakly, a grumpy reclusive old man. Under Tom’s gruff care, Wilie grows to love life in Little Wierwold. Then, suddenly, William is called back to his house where his mother continues to ill treat him. Tom sets out to find Willie and they are reunited together once more. After a short while, Willie’s mother dies and Tom adopts Willie.
I loved the characters of the story, particularly Willie and Tom. Tom’s adoption of Willie was so emotional because Tom readily adopted Willie, even though he had no relation to him. I enjoyed the part of the story where Willie and Zacharias become friends. The unique way the characters spoke also caught my eye. The only thing wrong with this book is I can’t put it down!
I would certainly recommend this book to other readers because this is a deep story which knows exactly how to grab your feelings and emotions.
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