Good Night, Mr. Tom | Suggested Reading

Good Night, Mr. Tom Related Titles

Like Good Night, Mr. Tom, Magorian's second novel takes place during the World War II era. Lively, twelve-year-old Virginia (Rusty) is evacuated to America during the war. After five years in New England with an affectionate bohemian family, Rusty feels like an alien when she returns to England and often refers to America as "back home." Her shy mother, small brother, cold father, and domineering grandmother all are strangers to her and the only sense of kinship Rusty feels is toward her mother's friend in Devon, Lady Beatrice (Beatie). Miserable at boarding school, Rusty finally makes friends with a boy who also was an evacuee in America.

Tracing Rusty's gradual readjustment to life in England, Back Home won prompt recognition for its strong characterizations, fast-paced narrative, and sympathetic portrayal of human relationships during post-war hardships.