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Book Review: Good Night Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian

Title & Author: Good Night Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian; Harper Trophy, 1981.

Length: 318 pages; no illustrations; definitely a challenge.

Print size: Small; common paperback font.

Other readability issues: This story is set in England "on the brink of World War II." The cultural setting and the time difference will be challenging; it could help to provide pictures to help students visualize the settings.

Summary: Willie Beech is sent with other children out to rural England, away from the city. Mr. Tom takes him in, and finds Willie has more to escape from than the other children.

Typical words: Here are some typical words from the stories; it would be wise to see how many of these your students can read before expecting them to read independently.