Good Night, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian
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Book Reviews of Good Night, Mr. Tom
Book Review: A Great Book for Realistic Fiction Lovers!
Summary: 5 Stars
Willie (Will) Beech, the likable main character in "Good Night, Mr. Tom", is a shy, scared, malnourished 8-year-old evacuated to the English countryside from London in World War II. Willie goes to live with a kind older man, Tom Oakley, whom Willie affectionately calls Mr. Tom. Willie, who was frequently abused by his mother in the past, learns new, loving ways of life while in the care of Tom. He grows both physically and emotionally during his stay, but many times this growth is interrupted by thrilling plot-twists.
Though "Good Night, Mr. Tom" is heart-warming and most definitely a page-turner, there are parts that are quite graphic, and others that are remarkably sad. I would not recommend it to those who prefer stories that are entirely happy, or to those who cannot tolerate gore. However, I would definitely recommend "Good Night, Mr. Tom" to anyone else.
USEFUL INFORMATION: Since the story is set in England, (the English countryside, more specifically), the author writes each word exactly as the characters would say it. This dialect can be a bit confusing, but it's not too hard to comprehend.
Book Review: Such a great one
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished reading this, and (I'm in eighth grade) realized how important it is to have some one to love, someone to laugh with, someone to cry with, and to have someone to cherish life with.
It has such a sad ending, it almost made me cry. I was so horrified that WWII was really like that. And the thought of ever losing someone, you think you can handle it, but when it comes, you can't bear it. Even if you think you really don't care about someone, you do, deep inside, like Mr. Tom.
It's also sad that there was the same type of abuse mothers had towards children. I cannot believe what the mother did with the baby. I was so grateful I have a mother than can care for me ( a father as well, Will has none) and knows that I have my own personal interests, and that may not include reading the Bible all day, sleep, and repeat your schedule of reading the Bible. Life is to have fun, and we should all be doing just that.
I also like that even though Will cannot read or write, and can draw amazingly. And that helps him write, because he thinks that writing is like drawing.
This was an amazing book.
Book Review: powerful story about family
Summary: 5 Stars
Timid, scrawny, Willie Beech is the abused child of a single mother. She sends him to Mr. Tom, who lives in the English countryside, because London is being bombed by the Nazis.
The two main adults in this story, the mother and Mr. Tom, seem very similar in the beginning. Yet, by the end, we see that they are completely different. What really hit home was this: hard times can make hard people, but one's true colors shine through when faced with others in need.
Mr. Tom's gruff exterior is only his exterior. He's really got a warm heart, which he opens up to Willie and shows him the love that's supposed to be in a family.
The mother's quiet, strict exterior masks her bitter, mean nature. She has no love for her children, and abuses them in subtle, neglectful ways.
We don't actually see the abuse, we see the end result...which, in my opinion, is far more powerful. I cried for Willie at the end of this book, and cheered Mr. Tom for doing everything he could to save this poor boy. When children are old enough to understand the results of abuse, every family should read this book.
Book Review: Good Night, Mr. Tom
Summary: 5 Stars
"Good Night, Mr. Tom" puzzles me. When I read it objectively, looking only at the writing, it's not so impressive. The flow isn't particularly good and at times the book clunks along. The dialogue is engaging, though, and thoroughly real.
And the story itself is incredible. "Good Night, Mr. Tom" tells of a young London boy who is sent out to live in the country during World War II for his safety. There, away from an abusive home, Willie is able to grow and learn what it means to be loved.
With a series of remarkably realistic and fun characters, Willie (renamed Will in his new home with "Mr. Tom") moves and grows. Aspects of the book will make the reader cry (quite a few), aspects will chill you, but on the whole you will smile through your tears, because this book is just... special. It's got a very special feel to it, through tears and sad moments.
So while at times the story gets dull, it's an excellent book. I would recommend this to young teens, mostly because it deals with serious issues and might be a bit much for younger kids.
Definitely recommended.
Book Review: "Good Night, Mr. Tom"
Summary: 5 Stars
In Michelle Magorian's novel Good Night, Mr. Tom, she brilliantly illustrates the hardships of a young child growing up post World War II after having being abused and abandoned by his mother, the one person who was truly supposed to love him. After being shipped from London to the English countryside to live with Mr. Tom, Willie has to adjust to living in a world he never knew existed. A world in which love, affection and friendships flourish. Magorian uses what she knows to set the plot, being that she was born and raised mostly in England. Her parents met each other during the World War II and perhaps she was reflecting on her own issues because as a child she lived a couple of years in Singapore and Australia. She eventually came back to England when she was 9 years old, but had already been moved around a lot, as did the main character in the book. The New Yorker called Magorian's novel "An engrossing and poignant story, with much sunlight to balance the darkness." Jim Trelease from The Read-Aloud Handbook said it was "powerful." And that, it is.