Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Puffin (2003), Edition: 1st Puffin Edition, 304 pages
Description
A battered child learns to embrace life when he is adopted by an old man in the English countryside during the Second World War.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Lidbud
This made me bawl like a baby. During WW2, young Willie Beech, an evacuee is sent to live with Tom Oakley. Tom is a gruff rather solitary old man who has lived a solitary life since the death of his young wife and infant child many years ago. Willie is a sad, neglected child, covered in bruises
Very highly recommended - but you will need tissues.
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from his mother's frequent discipline with a belt, and for the first time he finds out what it is like to be properly looked after by an adult. Tom comes out of him self too, and the two forge a strong bond. Then Willie's emotionally unstable mother calls him back to London, and something terrible happens - it's a very big plot spoiler, so I won't tell what it is, but I nearly could't see the page for tears.Very highly recommended - but you will need tissues.
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LibraryThing member mybookshelf
When war comes to London, many children are “evacuated”- sent to live with strangers in smaller, safer villages. This is how nearly-9-year-old Willie meets “Mister Tom”, a grumpy old man who lives by the graveyard with his dog, Sammy. Gradually, Tom shares his ordinary lifestyle with
In the village of Little Weirwold, Willie experiences many things for the first time. He learns to read, makes his first friends, and enjoys his first birthday party. He also experiences less tangible things, such as being praised for the first time, and being given the opportunity to make choices. Most significantly, he finds out for the first time what it’s like to be in good health, in a safe environment, and to be loved and looked after by an adult.
Mister Tom also learns from Willie: what it’s like to have another person in the house, and the joy of having someone to care for, especially someone who flourishes with just a little affection. Willie shares an interest in painting with Tom’s long-deceased wife, which helps to revive Tom’s ability to love.
Although Willie’s mother only appears in person in one chapter of the story, she is a dominant character throughout. She is very religious, and has brought Willie up to be “good and quiet”. All she sends to the village with him are a few toiletries, a Bible, and a belt “for when he’s bad”. When he arrives with Mister Tom, Willie believes that many everyday aspects of childhood are bad, for example asking questions, and laughing. When he returns to his mother, she is horrified at the change in him, and accuses him of stealing and begging the gifts he has brought for her from his friends in the village.
One of the hardest lessons for Willie to face up to is the truth about his mother. Returning to his old way of life with her makes him wish “he had never gone to Little Weirwold. Then he would have thought his Mum was kind and loving.” Luckily, the bond that has formed between Willie and Mister Tom is strong enough to see them happily reunited.
Another feature of this story is its wartime setting. Despite the fact that there is very little danger in Little Weirwold, the reader is constantly reminded by numerous small details that there is a war on. The story provides a window through which modern readers can begin to glimpse what it may have been like to live in England during World War Two.
The characters in this book speak in heavily accented English, which some readers may require assistance to interpret. I would recommend the book for mature readers of either gender from the age of twelve upwards.
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Willie, who begins to forget the peculiar rules his mother has imposed on him. Suddenly, his mother becomes ill, and summons him home to London, where Willie must face up to many unpleasant surprises.In the village of Little Weirwold, Willie experiences many things for the first time. He learns to read, makes his first friends, and enjoys his first birthday party. He also experiences less tangible things, such as being praised for the first time, and being given the opportunity to make choices. Most significantly, he finds out for the first time what it’s like to be in good health, in a safe environment, and to be loved and looked after by an adult.
Mister Tom also learns from Willie: what it’s like to have another person in the house, and the joy of having someone to care for, especially someone who flourishes with just a little affection. Willie shares an interest in painting with Tom’s long-deceased wife, which helps to revive Tom’s ability to love.
Although Willie’s mother only appears in person in one chapter of the story, she is a dominant character throughout. She is very religious, and has brought Willie up to be “good and quiet”. All she sends to the village with him are a few toiletries, a Bible, and a belt “for when he’s bad”. When he arrives with Mister Tom, Willie believes that many everyday aspects of childhood are bad, for example asking questions, and laughing. When he returns to his mother, she is horrified at the change in him, and accuses him of stealing and begging the gifts he has brought for her from his friends in the village.
One of the hardest lessons for Willie to face up to is the truth about his mother. Returning to his old way of life with her makes him wish “he had never gone to Little Weirwold. Then he would have thought his Mum was kind and loving.” Luckily, the bond that has formed between Willie and Mister Tom is strong enough to see them happily reunited.
Another feature of this story is its wartime setting. Despite the fact that there is very little danger in Little Weirwold, the reader is constantly reminded by numerous small details that there is a war on. The story provides a window through which modern readers can begin to glimpse what it may have been like to live in England during World War Two.
The characters in this book speak in heavily accented English, which some readers may require assistance to interpret. I would recommend the book for mature readers of either gender from the age of twelve upwards.
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LibraryThing member fingerpost
William Beech is the only child of an abusive mother in London. When World War II breaks out, he is shipped out, as so many children were, to small towns in the countryside, where it was deemed safer. Tom Oakley is an elderly widower, virtually a hermit, who is assigned to house and care for
William slowly loses his fears, instilled by his mother, and Mr. Oakley starts becoming part of the community again.
There are a couple of almost shocking chapters when William is sent back to London to be with his mother for a spell, and the reader will be glad when those chapters are past. (It turns out his mother is even worse than we imagined at the beginning of the book.)
The story is well told, and filled with appealing characters in the town of Little Weirwold. The only real drawback, is Magorian didn't seem to know how to wrap up the story. The final couple of chapters seem a little apart from the rest of the rest of the story, meandering off in a different direction, now that we know where William and Mr. Oakley end up. The last sentence seems like it's supposed to be a definitive moment defining the theme of the book, but doesn't really seem to represent much of anything the book was about.
All in all, excellent book; I recommend it. But the conclusion does fall a little flat.
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William. As any reader would guess, Mr. Tom, as William calls him, is good for the boy, and caring for the boy is good for Mr. Tom.William slowly loses his fears, instilled by his mother, and Mr. Oakley starts becoming part of the community again.
There are a couple of almost shocking chapters when William is sent back to London to be with his mother for a spell, and the reader will be glad when those chapters are past. (It turns out his mother is even worse than we imagined at the beginning of the book.)
The story is well told, and filled with appealing characters in the town of Little Weirwold. The only real drawback, is Magorian didn't seem to know how to wrap up the story. The final couple of chapters seem a little apart from the rest of the rest of the story, meandering off in a different direction, now that we know where William and Mr. Oakley end up. The last sentence seems like it's supposed to be a definitive moment defining the theme of the book, but doesn't really seem to represent much of anything the book was about.
All in all, excellent book; I recommend it. But the conclusion does fall a little flat.
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LibraryThing member Bduke
Why have I never heard of this book before?! I was reading a BBC 100 Favorite Books list and saw this on it. Our school library happened to have it, so I checked it out - even though I had made a pact to stop reading "children's" books (Artemis Fowl did me in). I'm so glad I did because I loved it!
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Probably because although it won the 1982 IRA Children's Book Award, I would definitely not describe this as a children's book. It has some pretty disturbing allusions to and scenes of abuse, and also has two young boys discussing sex (in a very tasteful way). So I wouldn't let young children read it. But it is a wonderful book and takes you through every emotion. It's the kind of book that makes you truly grateful for the blessings in your own life, and you just kind of hug the book when you finish it. I can't wait to read more books by this author, and I have put the BBC movie on my Amazon wishlist! Thank you, BBC's 100 Favorite Books list! Show Less
LibraryThing member Whisper1
A big thanks to Stasia for highly recommended this wonderful book.
WWII hits London and children are evacuated. This is a tale of Tom Oakley, a curmudgeonly widower living with his dog in the English countryside. This is a tale of abused eight year old Willie Beech who is dropped on Tom's
Tom soon discovers that housing an emotionally and physically abused lad requires a huge amount of common sense and love.
Willie gradually discovers that life is wonderful in his body without bruises.
When Willie's emotionally disturbed mother calls him home, both Tom and Willie discover the power of friendship and love.
Destined to be one of my top reads for 2010, I highly praise this insightful, heart breaking and heart warming book.
WWII hits London and children are evacuated. This is a tale of Tom Oakley, a curmudgeonly widower living with his dog in the English countryside. This is a tale of abused eight year old Willie Beech who is dropped on Tom's
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doorstep.Tom soon discovers that housing an emotionally and physically abused lad requires a huge amount of common sense and love.
Willie gradually discovers that life is wonderful in his body without bruises.
When Willie's emotionally disturbed mother calls him home, both Tom and Willie discover the power of friendship and love.
Destined to be one of my top reads for 2010, I highly praise this insightful, heart breaking and heart warming book.
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LibraryThing member mzonderm
In this book, Michelle Magorian has written what is essentially a very sweet story of an abused boy (William) who finds love and happiness. But while most of the book is taken up with William's recovery (both mental and physical), Magorian is not afraid to show us what happened to him. It is a true
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mark of her skill as a writer that our brief glimpse into this darker side of the story is done with a very light touch, making it completely believable, but not at all overwhelming. Readers of all ages will be moved. Show Less
LibraryThing member FrancineA
I have read this before and I am reading this during English. It is a very good book and very sad.
LibraryThing member notazealot36
Riveting, sad, informing and ultimately uplifting. The story of an evacuee in the second world war. One of my all-time favourite books.
LibraryThing member gibbo52
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
LibraryThing member chrisstearn
I loved this book as soon as I started to read it. Well written and very moving - a memorable read
LibraryThing member allen1993
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.
LibraryThing member madhamster
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
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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. Show Less
LibraryThing member Mara35
this book was by Michelle Magorian and made first published in 1981. The book is about the evuate. A boy named willie goes home and has to look after his mum. his mum hits him when he tells the truth then the mister looks for him and takes him back with him to have a more happy life and have good
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friendship with his friends carrie,Ginnie,Zach and george. this is a war story. Tamara Show Less
LibraryThing member yfngoh
Heart- tugging story of old widower taking care of a displaced child in wartime England.
LibraryThing member theboylatham
8/10.
A grumpy and surly old man is forced to take in a weak and emanciated evacuee - but it starts a friendship that transforms them both. Typical storyline, good book.
A grumpy and surly old man is forced to take in a weak and emanciated evacuee - but it starts a friendship that transforms them both. Typical storyline, good book.
LibraryThing member Squishy133
Well, Sas and I both studied this as one of our English texts in year eight, and I loved it so much that I went out and bought it.
It was a little slow at the beginning, but it is an amazing story, and I would recommend it to pretty much anyone. But, you have to be ready to bring out the tissues,
It was a little slow at the beginning, but it is an amazing story, and I would recommend it to pretty much anyone. But, you have to be ready to bring out the tissues,
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because it is as much a story of heartbreak as it is of hope. Show Less
LibraryThing member Elphaba71
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
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
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wonderful bond. Show Less
LibraryThing member Dianethorpe
One of the first books I read as a Librarian with the aim of placing on a recommended reading list. It made it to the list with flying colours; I have never stopped recommending this book to generations of young people. One of the best wartime evacuation stories ever written,this beautiful story
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has stood the test of time. Show Less
LibraryThing member lauranav
A wonderful book of life in a small town where children evacuated from London are brought in. Their lives are so different from those of the children who grew up in the village. One boy in particular wins the heart of an old curmudgeon still grieving for this wife and child who died years ago. Soon
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the whole town cares for the boy and together they all help him heal and grow. A wonderful story of what love and fresh air can do for a wounded soul. Show Less
LibraryThing member prkcs
A battered child learns to embrace life when he is adopted by an old man in the English countryside during the Second World War.
LibraryThing member twin197
This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is too good!. My Englesh teacher gave this book to me and i cant wait to see the movie
LibraryThing member purplerockerchick
A really, really good book. Will's mother is absolutely horrible...
LibraryThing member LibraryLou
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
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.
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A fabulous book
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LibraryThing member gogglemiss
Powerful, moving and uplifting. Beautiful story. Thoroughly recommended.
LibraryThing member aimtroyer
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
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there is still hope. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 4-8 — 1985)
Iowa Teen Award (Nominee — 1985)
Guardian Children's Fiction Prize (Winner — 1982)
NCSLMA Battle of the Books (Middle School — 2018)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Winner — Middle School — 1991)
WAYRBA: Western Australia Young Readers Book Award (Winner — Older Readers — 1983)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 1982)
CCBC Choices (Fiction for Older Readers — 1982)
Read Aloud Indiana Book Award (Middle School — 1990)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1981
Physical description
304 p.; 5.04 inches
ISBN
0140315411 / 9780140315417
Other editions
Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian (Paperback)
Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian (Paperback)
Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian (Paperback)
Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian (Paperback)