Goodnight Mister Tom

It has been many years since I last read this novel and it was the draw of the new short story that really piqued my curiosity.
The book is as good as I remember it being and it still made me cry more than once, I wish I could remember if the tears came at the same point as when I was younger.
The new story was interesting but I am glad that the novel took the form it did ultimately.

I am pleased that after 40 years the book feels as fresh and up to date as it does, unlike other classic children's books that I've revisited with my nephew

This book has held a very special place in my heart since I first read it as a child - and re-reading this new edition, which includes additional insight into Tom Oakley’s marriage to Rachel and a selection of lyrics from the stage musical, confirms how special this story is. Each scene is painted as vividly as if the colours in Rachel’s paintbox were employed for the task, untarnished by age - the perfect timeless tale, done justice by this anniversary edition.

Just an absolutely beautiful and timeless story. I first read this as a teenager abs am now using it in class with my UKS2 children.

Willie Beech is an evacuee, sent away from his mother to the countryside where he meets Tom Oakley, who hadn’t volunteered for the programme. Nevertheless, he takes Willie into his home and welcomes him, as does the village around him.
Just as Willie is finding his way in this new world he has found himself in, tragedy strikes in more ways than one....

Would recommend for mature Y5 and 6, as well as young teenagers (and older readers!) One not to miss.

The 40th anniversary is the perfect reason to revisit a children’s classic. It still gives you goosebumps as you follow each emotional step in the relationship between a gruff loner and a timid evacuee trying to find their way with each other. But there is much to learn for both of them and the threat of war on the horizon means that every moment is precious. This is a slice of life that doesn’t shy away from tragedy, but it also will make you smile through your tears.

I haven’t read this book in well over a decade, so it was wonderful to be reminded how pleasant it was to spend time in Tom & William’s company all over again. The additional short story was heartbreaking but in a lovely way. It was the perfect time to release this brief but important development in Tom’s character and will entice readers into picking up this new edition.

It's a heartfelt tale that never lets you down.

Fantastic book. I’m a teacher and used this as our class novel. The children really enjoyed it.
A good insight into the situation evacuees found themselves in during the Second World War.

Goodnight Mister Tom is such a classic, beautiful book. I hadn't read it for many, many years but it still touched me in the same way it did the first time I read it when I was young. It's such an emotional read and I look forward to reading it to my little boy once he is old enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

This is an absolutely beautiful modern classic. I hadn't re-read the book for many years, probably since I was a teenager, but it still made me incredibly emotional. It is always billed as a children's book but it is so much more than that. A fantastic story that can and will be loved by all ages for a very long time to come.

I’ve always loved this book and really appreciated the chance to re-read this after many years. A great way to learn about the life of an evacuee with a focus on the relationship between William, an abused evacuee from London, and Tom, a lonely and withdrawn host. There are heartwarming moments and moments for tears but this is definitely a book all children should read.

It was such a pleasure to have the opportunity to revisit this wonderful story. It hasn't lost anything in the years and is as fresh today as when I first read it many years ago. The writing is so descriptive that it really did transport me back to the 1940s and made me feel for what the characters were dealing with, both with World War 2 and with the terrible things happening and the loss which the story involves. I couldn't help myself feeling drawn into their world and feeling emotions along with them all.

The characters are wonderful, Mister Tom and young William are, of course, the main characters and the story revolves around them. I loved the way Tom opens up and having William with him changes his life. Also how he, in turn, brings William to life, giving him love and support, through kindness; something very new in William's life. The secondary characters just help to complete a brilliant story.

I did enjoy the prologue about Micelle Magorian's influences for writing the story and also the epilogue with Tom and his wife, Rachel's, story. There is also the edition of the lyrics she wrote for Mister Tom the Musical too.

This isn't an easy read and does deal with some of life's hardest issues, however, it is written in such a way that there is always hope and because of that, it makes the story a joy to read. I am going to get a copy for my ten-year-old granddaughter, I know she will love it too.