Kirkus Book Review

 Good Night, Mr. Tom

Michelle Magorian


A heart wrenching story of a nine year old evacuee getting acclimated in new surroundings. 

As part of the war effort, the people of Little Weirwold take in evacuees. Willie Beech ends up on the doorstep of Mr. Tom, a loner in town. He was chosen specifically because the boy's mom insisted that he be left with someone who was "religious or near a church." Tom is appalled to find that the boy is illiterate and abused. Stepping out of his comfort zone, Tom enrolls the boy in school and helps him participate in town activities. Together, they experience the trials and tribulations of over coming nightmares, healing physically, and surpassing emotional trauma. Willy discovers a life that involves love, laughter and friendship. Tom learns what it is like to be part of a caring community. Magorian does not use graphic detail, just simply alludes to certain details enough to pull the reader in and make us sympathize with the characters. The dialect the author assigns to Willie and Tom, along with the vivid descriptions,  really allow the reader to fully experience their thoughts and feelings. 

This is a highly emotional story; child abuse is never easy to read about. 

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