Speech on Goodnight Mister Tom

-story about an evacuee William Beech-sent to the country from London during Second World War-separated from abusive mother-staying with Old Mister Tom Oakley-makes a new friend Zach who is another evacuee from London-adjusts to new life together-William goes back to London when mother is unwell

-Mr. Tom feels uneasy-goes to London and brings William back-William finds out his mother commits suicide after coming back-Mr Tom adopts William-Zach goes back to London-parents in bombing accident-Zach dies in bombing-William is upset but manages to get through

Family-never had a family before-abusive mother-moved to country-birthday celebrations-whole town gave gifts-overwhelmed by kindness and generosity: "Is it fer me to keep?"

Friendship-creates many new friendships- Zach, George, Carrie, and Ginnie (classmates)-no playmates in London-mother was strict on children-country: finds children who care about him -mother gets mad about Jewish friend (Zach)-friends help him find himself

Finding Oneself-didn't have anything to do in London-abusive mother who said most things were a sin and that he would go to hell for doing something-Mister Tom: gave him a set of paints-unlocked his natural talent for art-is embarrassed about attention but then gets proud of his accomplishment

War-Second World War-shows how much war can affect people's lives-changes lives-made William move to the country-taken away from his mother-new friends-new family-Zach and his family dying

Old Mr Tom Oakley-old widower-lost his wife and child to scarlet fever 40 years ago-shows understanding & sympathy to William-kind nature-later on is William's "Dad"

William Beech-9 year old evacuee-protagonist in the book-arrives in the country thin, under-fed and covered in painful bruises-has an abusive mother-natural talent for arts

Mrs Beech-overly religious-abusive-beats William for real or imaginary sins-commits suicide

Zach-Jewish boy-evacuee-son of actors-William's best friend

George, Carrie, and Ginnie -classmates of William and Zach-close friends

Point of View-constantly shifting-Mr. Tom (adult)-William (child)-George -Zach-schoolteacherfollows progress

Love the book