The Making of Goodnight Mr Tom

by Deborah Fox

Paperback

Published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Fiona Prunty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review

Title of Book: Goodnight Mr Tom
Author: Michelle Magorian

Theme
Goodnight Mr Tom is a powerful and moving story about how love and trust can slowly develop in a relationship between a grumpy old man and a boy from a deprived background. The story is set during World War 11 and we see the contrast between London which was being bombed and the serene and peaceful countryside. The book is written from the perspective of the young boy.

Outline of the Story
At the beginning of the second World War, many children were evacuated from London due to fear of bombings. They were sent to homes in rural England and looked after by families. An eight-year-old boy named Willie Beech was evacuated to Little Weirwold to the home of a reluctant Tom Oakley. Tom was a widower who was still grieving for his wife and son who died of scarlet fever many years previously. The story reveals how the relationship develops between this young deprived boy and a grumpy man. Willie had come from an abusive home and was terrified of everything. Mister Tom, as Willie called him, showed him a kindness that he had never known. Tom changed the sheets when Willie wet the bed. He taught him to read and write and how to run and play with the dog. For the first time, Willie experiences a birthday party with gifts and cards.
Willie met a friend Zach and they became very close, picking blackberries together and acting in the Christmas play. When his mother called him back to London, Willie reluctantly returned and Tom was broken hearted. When Tom did not hear from Willie, he travelled to war-torn London and rescued Willie from an abusive life with his mother. Willie slowly recovered with Mister Tom and with Zach they all went on a holiday to the seaside. When Zach died later in the story, Tom supported Willie through the dreadful experience.
Willie learns to love this world in the country with Mister Tom and Tom slowly rejoins the local community that he had rejected when his family died.

Age group
This book would suit upper primary children.

How the book could be used in the classroom
• Read to children or encourage children to read the book themselves for independent reading.
• Use for guided reading:
- Story could be used for curriculum support. Themes from history relating to the second World War could be explored with pupils. For example, the contrast between London city which was being bombed and the peaceful life in the country. Children could research the war and the London bombings.
- Pupils could imagine being an evacuee like Willie. How would they feel? What emotions would they experience if they had to leave their families behind in war-torn London? How would they react to going to live with a new family in an unfamiliar environment.
- Life in the country during the second World War could be explored. The idea of rationing of food could also be discussed. In the book, we hear about the Christmas where gifts and food were homemade because of rationing. Children could research what homemade toys and food families had during the war. In the story, Willie and Zach go “blackberrying”. Have children had this experience? What might they do with blackberries?
- Children could research child abuse. In the story, Willie experienced physical and emotional abuse. Tom healed the bruises with his kindness. Children could discuss the effects of abuse on children and how this might be changed. What factors contributed to Willie’s recovery? What examples of Tom’s kindness can be found in the book?
- Willie loved drama and art. Children could explore opportunities for drama and art in the story.
- Children could describe and write about their favourite character. Why is this character their favourite?

[Millie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because I was studying World War Two. I wasn't expecting much from it, but straight from the start I was hooked. The author switches so effortlessly from one character's perspective to another's. There is a perfect mix of tragedy, comedy and drama.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually dislike war fiction, but this is touching story of a young boy who finds family love with a grumpy old man when he is sent away from the city for his protection in WWII.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing

[Lejla Sajdovic · Rating 1 out of 5]

Förlåt men verkligen super tråkig bok, läste den i skolan och varför skriver de på brittiska???? Typ svårt att koppla vad som händer när det enda man tänker på är vad meningen man precis läste betyder? Nej tack.

[Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book ever.

[Clare Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

My all time favourite book I've read this so many times

[Emmaleagh Fantom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody loved it. Reminds of my school days sat in english reading it. Fantastic read for youngsters and adults. Took me only 3 days. X

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful, quaint and perfect for children


3.5 / 5

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is about the life of an evacuee during world war two. Willie is evacuated to Little Weirwold and has to live with Mr Tom. This story portrays the fear and horrors that people had to go through during the war.

One of my favourite aspects of the story was the school, comparing it to our school today, you can certainly see a big difference. I really enjoyed this book because one of the characters (Zach) reminds me of my brother and how you join the journey as Willie finds friendship, discovers his talents and goes through family hardships.

I would highly reccomend this story to people wanting to read a story based on WW2, a story about a fatherly relationship or anyone simply wanting a good book to read.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a complete thriller, always continuously wanting more. I didn't put the book down for two straight days as the flexibility with in the book grasped at my attention. The tale of William meeting Mr Tom really made me question the thoughts I had on people and what it was really like to witness how William or "Willy" as he's addressed in the book - was feeling. It left me with a great desire for more and a passion to stick to a similar gene of writing.

Considering I needed to read this for school, it has been my favourite and I recommend it for anyone who likes climax, emotion and writer's empathy all in one book.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute favourite of mine when growing up, and a true family connection. Watched with my dad when growing up. This book would be excellent in a year 5/6 class where children can explore, love, loss, adventure and what it was like to grow up around the war. Cross curriculum links to history, and art - children could create a essential box with what they would take with them if they had to move away and live somewhere else putting themselves in the shows of somebody else and exploring feelings and emotions.

[Lloyd Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story of a war time evacuee and his time in his adopted home in the countryside. I liked it for the telling of how evacuees formed good memories in war time Britain and reminds me of my grandfathers stories of his time as an evacuee. I would recommend this is a class book in Upper Key Stage 2 and could be studied at the same time as studying World War Two and could link to English through the children rebelling the story as if it was them. Using metaphor, similes etc.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My middle school librarian recommended this to me , and many years later (and well out of school) I still look back in amazement of this book !! 5 star read for me. It’s moving , and holds a special place in my heart.

[Olivia Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

reali gd film is even better

[Michelle Fallon]

One of my favourite books. Probably the first 'novel' I ever read. I loved the tv programme too.

[Annie Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The review is for the book, not the making of. Still one of the best books I've ever read!

[Gary Gannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant book ... Film does not live up to the clever words in the book

[Mahek · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was alright although it was really sad and depressing. The start was REALLY slow and kind of boring

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book...made me cry.

[Begonia74 Daniels]

One of my first favorite books!