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Michelle Magorian is undoubtedly one of the pre-eminent children’s writers of historical family drama and of books set around the Second World War. She may not be a household name but that’s purely because she doesn’t write as frequently as those more obvious bestselling novelists. Just Henry is just published and is her seventh novel. Like all her previous ones it has been eagerly awaited and hugely acclaimed. Unlike some authors Magorian writes when the time is right having first undertaken considerable research, followed by a lot of thinking time before actually putting pen to paper and then there’s always the very important rewrites to polish the story. Magorian loves the research and the writing in equal measure but particularly loves writing dialogue.
Interestingly, Magorian’s first love when she was younger was to be an actress but she also loved writing and day dreaming – the perfect combination for a successful novelist.
Winner of the 2008 Costa Children’s Book Award. Costa Book Awards 2008 Judges' comment: "A gripping and masterful tale of the power of cinema, photography and friendship in one boy's life." Warmhearted and full of period detail, Just Henry is a wonderful story of growing up and seizing life’s opportunities. It’s post war Britain and life should be getting better for all – and some things are. But Henry finds an increasing number of unanswered questions about his life and gradually, as he learns the answers, he finds his life is rather different from how it had seemed. As ever, Michelle Magorian gets to the emotional heart of issues. Other titles shortlisted for the prestigious 2008 Costa Children's Book Award (formerly the Whitbread Award) are The Carbon Diaries, Ostrich Boys and Broken Soup. The winner of the award will be announced on Tuesday 6th January. The Lovereading comment: From the award winning author of Goodnight Mister Tom comes a brand new page turning tale. The story itself is very exciting, rich with detail and has a very sympathetic main character. Henry is a boy who’s lost his father in the war. He joins a film club of boys with similar family problems and together they make an extraordinary discovery that changes their lives forever. Michelle Magorian has painted a spellbinding and shrewd picture of post-war Britain. Be sure to check out A Spoonful of Jam, A Little Love Song, Cuckoo In The Nest by the same author.
The holiday was supposed to give them a break, a chance to get away and heal after the loss of the baby. But Hannah's parents are still listless and distracted, and her toddler brother doesn't understand what's going on. And worst of all, something feels wrong in Hannah's room. Her mum and dad don't understand what she's trying to tell them, so one stormy night Hannah sneaks out to find someone who can tell her the truth about the Front Room...Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 12+
Ben knows he's taking on a lot, offering to do the first hundred lengths of the swimathon himself, but he's desperate to impress Jack and Harry. But as he swims - and swims - Jack realises that his 'friends' aren't going to show. Now he either has to forfeit or swim another hundred lengths! But support and encouragement come from an unlikely quarter and Ben pushes his way to victory. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+
Josh has a problem. There's a new little person in the house, his baby brother Charlie. It's supposed to be a happy thing - but he's proving to be a nightmare! When Charlie's not howling the place down, he's hogging all of Mum and Dad's time and attention. Josh is fed up. But can baby Charlie change his mind? Tender and heartwarming tale about new siblings. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.
A beautiful hardback edition of Michelle Magorian's bestselling novel Goodnight Mister Tom. This edition has a stunning Puffin 'cloth' Classics cover design and gorgeous printed endpapers and is perfect for the family bookshelf. When the Second World War breaks out, young Willie Beech is evacuated to the countryside. A sad, deprived child, he slowly begins to flourish under the care of kind old Tom Oakley. But then his cruel mother summons him back to war-torn London . . . Will he ever see Mister Tom again? 'Everyone's idea of a smash-hit first novel: full-blown characters to love and hate, moments of grief and joy, and a marvellous story that knows just how to grab the emotions' Guardian
A wonderfully nostalgic story about one boy's determination to follow his dreams from the award-winning author of Goodnight Mr Tom. Amid the rubble of post-war Britain, Ralph is entranced by the theatre. He loves seeing the performances, talking to the actors, the buzz of the audience, and the corridors and dressing rooms backstage. But how can a working-class boy achieve his dream when there is no opportunity for theatre training? Michelle Magorian takes a lens to post-war Britain, revealing its prejudices, its quirks and its warmth. The perfect read for everyone who loved The Book Thief or Carrie's War. 'A fascinating story and a vivid picture of Britain in the 1940s' - The Times. Michelle Magorian is the best-selling author of numerous award-winning stories for children, including A Spoonful of Jam, A Little Love Song, and Cuckoo in the Nest and Just Henry. Her extensive list of awards includes the Costa Prize and the Guardian Children's Fiction Award. Michelle has worked in theatre, television and films and has an established reputation as a comedienne, performing in plays and musicals.
A classic war story from the award-winning author of Goodnight, Mister Tom. A Spoonful of Jam will truly capture your heart and mind. The war is over but Elsie is still fighting her own battles. She's bullied because she's the only scholarship pupil at the grammar school, and she has an awkward relationship with her father as he struggles to assume a normal life after fighting in the war. But when she begins working at the local theatre, Elsie discovers she can escape . . . A Spoonful of Jam is the second of The Hollis Family books, following Cuckoo in the Nest. Michelle Magorian takes a lens to post-war Britain, revealing its prejudices, its quirks and its warmth. The perfect read for everyone who loved The Book Thief or Carrie's War. The book is a treat. A masterly work. Philip Pullman, Guardian. Michelle Magorian is the best-selling author of numerous award-winning stories for children, including A Spoonful of Jam, A Little Love Song, and Cuckoo in the Nest and Just Henry. Her extensive list of awards includes the Costa Prize and the Guardian Children's Fiction Award. Michelle has worked in theatre, television and films and has an established reputation as a comedienne, performing in plays and musicals.
A classic love story from the award-winning author of Goodnight, Mister Tom. It is the summer of 1943 and war continues to rage. For Rose and her sister Diana, it's a time of independence and self-discovery as they find first loves. But when Rose uncovers an extraordinary love story from another war, she is forced to question that love. Rose is about to discover a secret that will change everything. Michelle Magorian combines her rich style with a refreshing take on wartime women in this classic coming of age story. The perfect read for everyone who loved Marcuz Zusak's The Book Thief or Nina Bawden's Carrie's War. Michelle Magorian is the best-selling author of numerous award-winning stories for children, including A Spoonful of Jam, A Little Love Song, and Cuckoo in the Nest and Just Henry. Her extensive list of awards includes the Costa Prize and the Guardian Children's Fiction Award. Michelle has worked in theatre, television and films and has an established reputation as a comedienne, performing in plays and musicals.
Penguin presents, the downloadable audiobook edition of Goodnight Mr Tom, read by Patrick Malahide. Young Willie Beech is evacuated to the country as Britain stands on the brink of WW2. A sad, deprived child, he slowly begins to flourish under the care of old Tom Oakley - but his new-found happiness is shattered by a summons from his mother back in London... Winner of the Guardian Childrens Fiction Award.
A Puffin Book - stories that last a lifetime. In Back Home, Michelle Magorian, author of Goodnight Mister Tom, tells the story of Rusty, returning to England after being evacuated to America for five years in the Second World War. After five happy years in America, Rusty must return to England: the place she used to call home. But it doesn't fell like home. Rusty's mother is like a stranger, her little brother doesn't know her and why does the food taste so bad? Rusty just can't get used to the rigid rules and rationing and her strict new boarding school. Lonely and homesick, Rusty makes friends with Lance, another returned evacuee, and her indomitable spirit leads her into a dramatic and devastating rebellion. . . Guardian Children's Fiction award-winning Michelle Magorian is the author of the iconic war-time children's book, Goodnight Mister Tom. Michelle Magorian was born in Portsmouth and on leaving school studied at the Rose Bruford College of speech and Drama and Marcel Marceau's International School of Mime in Paris. Over the years she became interested in children's books and decided to write one herself. The result was Goodnight Mister Tom, which won the Guardian Children's Fiction Award, an International Reading Association Award and was also made into a superb film starring the late John Thaw. In 2012 Michelle was made a Fellow of Rose Bruford College. Also by Michelle Magorian: Goodnight Mister Tom; Back Home; Waiting for my Shorts to Dry; Who's Going to take Care of Me?; Orange Paw Marks; A Little Love Song; In Deep Water; Jump; A Cuckoo in the Nest; A Spoonful of Jam; Be Yourself; Just Henry, Impossible!
A Puffin Book - stories that last a lifetime. Puffin Modern Classics are relaunched under a new logo: A Puffin Book. There are 20 titles to collect in the series, listed below, all with exciting new covers and fun-filled endnotes. Goodnight Mister Tom - winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Award - by Michelle Magorian has delighted generations of children. It's the story of young Willie Beech, evacuated to the country as Britain stands on the brink of the Second World War. A sad, deprived child, he slowly begins to flourish under the care of old Tom Oakley - but his new-found happiness is shattered by a summons from his mother back in London. As time goes by Tom begins to worry when Willie doesn't answer his letters, so he goes to London to find him, and there makes a terrible discovery. Also by Michelle Magorian: Goodnight Mister Tom; Back Home; Waiting for my Shorts to Dry; Who's Going to take Care of Me?; Orange Paw Marks; A Little Love Song; In Deep Water; Jump; A Cuckoo in the Nest; A Spoonful of Jam; Be Yourself; Just Henry Also available in A Puffin Book: BACK HOME by Michelle Magorian CHARLOTTE'S WEB, STUART LITTLE and THE TRUMPET OF THE SWAN by E. B. White THE BORROWERS by Mary Norton STIG OF THE DUMP by Clive King ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY by Mildred D. Taylor A DOG SO SMALL by Philippa Pearce GOBBOLINO by Ursula Moray Williams MRS FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH by Richard C O'Brien A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L'Engle THE CAY by Theodore Taylor TARKA THE OTTER by Henry Williamson WATERSHIP DOWN by Richard Adams SMITH by Leon Garfield THE NEVERENDING STORY by Michael Ende ANNIE by Thomas Meehan THE FAMILY FROM ONE END STREET by Eve Garnett
Young Willie Beech is evacuated to the country as Britain stands on the brink of WW2. A sad, deprived child, he slowly begins to flourish under the care of old Tom Oakley - but his new-found happiness is shattered by a summons from his mother back in London... Winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Award.
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