Clairebear’s Blog

In English at the moment we’re reading a book called Goodnight Mr Tom. It’s about World War 2 in England. Willie is a shy eight year old boy, brought up by his horrible, over religious Mother who beats him so much that he thinks he is bad, wicked boy. He is evacuated to the country to live with Mr Tom, a gruff old man and his border collie Sammy. Mr Tom brings happiness to Willie’s life and teaches him to read, and write, and buys Willie paints, and pencils and Willie discovers that he is an incredible artist. Well, to cut a VERY long story short, his Mother summons him back to London as she is ill, and is appauled to learn that Willie can speak for himself, stands up for himself, asks alot of questions when in her mind, needs to learn to shut-up. But the last straw was when she found out that he had a friend in the country who is Jewish. She starts screaming “You BLASPHEMER!!! Youve been poisened by the devil!” And she beats him till he passes out, ties him to a railing holding her baby girl and leaves for weeks to a bible camp, so she says. It was the saddest thing ever to read. But of course Mr Tom saves the day coming to London when he senced something was wrong. The poor baby was dead, and Willie was covered in sores and bruises, and he takes willie back to live with him in the country. It is a really sad story that makes you really think about how lucky we all are. http://www.pickabook.co.uk/covers/00/d/00D6F223.JPG