Goodnight Mister Tom facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Michelle Magorian |
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| Cover artist | Angelo Renaldi |
| Genre | Children's historical novel |
| Publisher | Kestrel Books |
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Publication date
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1981 |
| Media type | Print (hardback and paperback) |
| Pages | 304 pp (first edition) |
| ISBN | 0-7226-5701-3 |
| OCLC | 9987640 |
| LC Class | PZ7.M275 Go 1981 |
Goodnight Mister Tom is a popular children's book written by English author Michelle Magorian. It was first published in 1981. The story is set during World War II in Britain. It follows a young boy named William Beech who has a very difficult home life in London.
When the war begins, William is sent away to the countryside for safety. He goes to live with an older man named Mister Tom, who is a bit of a loner. With Mister Tom's kindness and care, William starts to experience a new and much happier life.
The book has won several awards, including the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. It was also a runner-up for the Carnegie Medal, which celebrates the best children's books published in the UK. Goodnight Mister Tom has been made into a stage musical and a film.
Contents
Story Summary
The story begins in September 1939, just as Britain is about to enter World War II. Many children from big cities are being moved to the countryside. This is to keep them safe from possible German bombs.
William's New Home
William Beech is a quiet boy from London. He arrives at the home of Tom Oakley, an older widower. Tom lives in a small village called Little Weirwold. William is very thin, underfed, and covered in bruises. He believes he is a bad person because of how his strict mother treated him. She was a very religious woman who made William feel full of sin.
Mister Tom is known for being a bit grumpy and keeps to himself. William is sent to live with him because his mother wanted him near a church. At first, Tom is distant, but he soon learns about William's sad past. He starts to treat William with great kindness and understanding. Tom also helps William learn to read and write.
Under Tom's care, William slowly begins to feel better and grow stronger. He makes friends at school, including another boy who was evacuated named Zach. William also discovers he is good at drawing and acting. As William changes for the better, so does Mister Tom. We learn that Tom lost his wife and baby son many years ago. This sad event made him become a recluse.
A Difficult Return
The strong bond between William and Tom is suddenly put at risk. William's mother asks him to come back to London because she says she is sick. William thinks this will be a good thing, as he wants to help his mother. However, his mother is not happy to hear about his time with Tom. She feels he hasn't been disciplined enough.
While William was away, his mother had a new baby girl. But she is not taking care of the baby properly. After a very bad reunion, William's mother becomes furious. She dislikes that William spent time with Zach, who is Jewish. She hits William and accuses him of saying things against God. Then, she locks him in a dark cupboard under the stairs. William wakes up briefly, feeling hurt and alone. He quietly cries for Tom before falling back asleep.
Back with Mister Tom
Back in Little Weirwold, Tom feels that something is wrong with William. Even though he rarely leaves his village, Tom decides to go to London. He finds William's neighborhood and his home. Tom convinces a policeman to break down the door of the seemingly empty house. Inside, they find a terrible smell. They discover William in the cupboard with the baby, who had also been left alone and sadly passed away. William is very weak and bruised. He had been locked in the cupboard for many days.
William is taken to the hospital, where he has very bad dreams. Tom is told that William might have to go to a children's home. Unable to see William so distressed, Tom takes him from the hospital. He brings William back to Little Weirwold.
Healing and Hope
Back with Mister Tom, William is very upset by what happened. He also feels sad about his baby sister's death. He blames himself for not being able to feed her while they were locked away. Later, William learns that his mother had passed away. The authorities offer him a place in a children's home. However, they see that William has found a loving home with Tom. So, they allow Tom to adopt him.
Tom, William, and Zach enjoy a holiday by the sea. Sadly, Zach soon learns his father was hurt in London by a German bomb. Zach rushes home, saying goodbye to his friends. This is the last time William sees him. William later learns that Zach has died. He is heartbroken for a long time.
Another man, Geoffrey Sanderton, helps William deal with his sadness. Geoffrey lost a leg in the war. He gives William art lessons and shares his own story of losing a best friend. This helps William start to feel better about Zach's death. William also asks for Zach's bicycle. By learning to ride it, William realizes that Zach will always be a part of him. He will never forget his wonderful friend.
In the months that follow, William grows closer to his friend Carrie. One night, as he returns home to Tom, whom he now calls "Dad," William thinks about how much he has changed. He realizes he is growing up and becoming stronger. And he still remembers Zach.
Awards and Recognition
- Commended, The Carnegie Medal 1981
- The Guardian Fiction Award 1982
- International Reading Association Award 1982
- Runner-up for The Young Observer Prize 1982
- Western Australian Young Readers Book Award 1982
- National TV Awards 1999: Best Drama
- BAFTA 1999: Lew Grade Award for Most Popular Programme of 1998
- Television & Radio Industries Club Award 1999: Best ITV/Channel 5 Programme of 1998
See also
In Spanish: Goodnight Mister Tom para niños
