Back Home (A Puffin Book)

Product Information

This covers a topic that I don't think many people are familiar with: British children who were evacuated out of the UK during WWII and sent to live in other countries for safety, in this case, America.

Back Home - Michelle Magorian - Google Books Back Home - Michelle Magorian - Google Books

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Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments

Back Home - Penguin Books UK

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. Michelle Magorian was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, [3] and is of Irish descent, her father William Magorian being from County Down, Ireland [ citation needed] She lived in Singapore and Australia from age seven to nine. As a child she spent as much time as possible in the Kings Theatre, Southsea. I really feel for Rusty (the protagonist) in this book. After returning from America after 5 years, she can't just jump into her old English life, everything is different her accent, her principles, even her family. Even the weather seems dull and garb compared to America.On her return, her family seem like strangers. Her mum is a part time mechanic, her brother wasn't born before Virginia left for the US, and he becomes instantly jealous of her. Her dad is still serving in the war on her return. Virginia's mum, Peggy, had been evacuated to Devon and loves the Estate, and the home she and her friends have created during their time together. No one seems to understand Rusty, except the fun loving old timer, Beatie, who owns the house. Soon though, Virginia is sent to boarding school, and with her mother and brother, must readjust to their life before the war. Their former house is ruled by an unkindly grandmother, who dotes on Virginia's father, and disregards Peggy and her children for a myriad of reasons. At boarding school, Virginia is rejected by her peers for 'showing off' (very Enid Blyton), and by her teachers for being behind in her studies, although she was a good student in the States. About halfway through, Virginia finds a place in which she can unleash her creativity, which leads to the compelling ending. My gut reaction to a lot of the book is a sort of incredulous "why don't you talk to someone?" And while I understand that Rusty is being thrust into the lingering auras of fading Victorian attitudes when she meets her grandmother and attends school, her mother, Peggy, is shown as becoming one of the "new women" who emerged after WW2, having had to take over men's jobs, and beginning to encroach on men's roles in society as well. Yet whenever Rusty tries to talk to her she reverts to the Victorian attitudes of her in-laws (possibly also her parents). These two different aspects to Peggy don't seem to mesh as well as they could, and, although it drives the plot forward, it does feel a little strained at times. I couldn't remember how the story ended, though, so reading it felt new to me. Even though I remembered the main part of the plot, I found myself engrossed in the story and wanted to see what would happen next. Carnegie Medal Award". 2007(?). Curriculum Lab. Elihu Burritt Library. Central Connecticut State University ( CCSU). Retrieved 2012-08-04.

Back Home by Michelle Magorian (9780141354811/Paperback

Despite Lance and the little cabin, Rusty is still desperately lonely. Her unhappiness is compounded by the news that Beatie, who has always complained of 'ruddy indigestion', has died. Rusty and Peggy go to Devon for the reading of Beatie's will. Beatie leaves Rusty her collection of woodworking tools and leaves Peggy the house, with the condition that she's not to sell it for seventeen years and, if she does choose to sell it after that time, that she only sell it to a woman. These terms mean that Peggy cannot be forced by Roger to sell the house or put it into her husband's name, making her independent if she chooses to be. Rusty and Peggy spend the weekend in Devon and start to get to know each other a little better. Rusty discovers that her mother is actually fun and adventurous and that they surprisingly have quite a lot in common. Winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction Award, GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM is of one of the best-loved stories set during the Second World War. Rusty's continual clashes with her family, school and culture left me feeling almost depressed sometimes, but I wanted to read on because of her independent, fighting spirit. I have reread this book more than any other. In fact, once I finished reading it, felt sad, and immediately started it again. But, if living in her grandmother’s felt like hell on earth, boarding school is worse. Benwood House is definitely not the Chalet School. It is cold, unfriendly, condescending and highly critical of Rusty’s American experience and, of course, the ‘despicable’ accent. Everything Rusty does seems to result in a mark against her and her house, which has the unfortunate name Butt House.There is a telemovie of this starring Hayley Mills as Peggy. I watched it all on You Tube, and it captured some parts of the book much better than my reading of the book did. Judith Poole is both old-school-mean-girl and earnest, for example. 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 Also, what was the point of Ivy's character? Other than being a sort of parallel of Peggy, she didn't add anything to the start of the story, and then later we hear her melodramatic tragedy and then we never hear about her again. What was all that about? Oh and finally, there were way too many characters either being referenced or introduced at the start and it took me ages to remember who anyone was.

Michelle Magorian - Penguin Books UK Michelle Magorian - Penguin Books UK

Perhaps because I read this later in life, but I found it did not have the same aplomb as Goodnight Mr. Tom. Nevertheless it was an enjoyable and resonant read. Having grown up half-and-half in America and England, I found Rusty's struggles at once heart-warming and slightly forced. There was a radio version in 4 episodes but unfortunately that’s not been broadcast since 2015. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b010x9qgAunt Hannah and Uncle Bruno Omsk Rusty's American host family, the Omsks embraced their role as surrogate parents, however always made sure Rusty never referred to them as 'Mom' or 'Pop'. Encouraging, kind and reasonable, the Omsks are creative and practical people who continue to send Rusty letters and presents.