The book I always remember is one we initially read at school. Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian. It was about a young evacuee boy who moves from an impoverished life in London to live with an old man in a beautiful rural village. At school I remember so vividly that we had to read a section of it and then continue writing our own version of the story. I loved this exercise. One of the first pieces of creative writing I remember doing. Who knows, maybe this was a formative moment for me as a writer! I then read lots of Magorian's other books and loved them all. Thanks for writing this piece and sending me down that nostalgic route. I love the sound of the Paperbag Princess! Never head of this before.
I haven’t read that one but I need too. My nana was an evacuee who lived in Bermondsey then was evacuated to the countryside so I’d love to know what that was like. What a brilliant exercise, such an important lesson in empathy. It definitely sounds like a moment for you.
Great nostalgic piece! My mum worked in a library and I would visit, happily sitting in a corner reading 😊I then got a part time job as a teenager there! Very similar early books to you and I also loved Enid Blytons boarding school books.
The Paperbag Princess sounds fabulous and one for my daughters!
I was a prolific reader as a kid, my head always hidden in books. They were a wonderful way to escape to new universes.
For me it was always The Secret Seven, Famous Five, then later Sweet Valley High, and anything at all by Judy Blume (especially ‘Forever’, which I would sneak out of the library.
Books are the true magic of life. What else can transport and embrace you in such a way x
When I revisited it I was so surprised how relevant it is. It would be a great book your your daughters. I often buy it for my friends children, both girls and boys.
They so are! I’m still so struck by the whole worlds that live in those pages x
I read every one of the Trixie Beldon series. Drove my family crazy trying to find them allA mystery solving girl and her band of teen friends 😆. Read everything I could get my hands on really. Lovely piece. Books have always been such a magical place for a child’s mind to feel free.
The book I always remember is one we initially read at school. Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian. It was about a young evacuee boy who moves from an impoverished life in London to live with an old man in a beautiful rural village. At school I remember so vividly that we had to read a section of it and then continue writing our own version of the story. I loved this exercise. One of the first pieces of creative writing I remember doing. Who knows, maybe this was a formative moment for me as a writer! I then read lots of Magorian's other books and loved them all. Thanks for writing this piece and sending me down that nostalgic route. I love the sound of the Paperbag Princess! Never head of this before.
I haven’t read that one but I need too. My nana was an evacuee who lived in Bermondsey then was evacuated to the countryside so I’d love to know what that was like. What a brilliant exercise, such an important lesson in empathy. It definitely sounds like a moment for you.
Wow part of your family history.
It was also a TV drama starring John Thaw which I watched several times. (Just found it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j8awfdvxaw)
God just watched a couple of minutes and it's making me well up already!
Also loved this book!
Aw good! It's definitely the one that sticks out in my memory
Great nostalgic piece! My mum worked in a library and I would visit, happily sitting in a corner reading 😊I then got a part time job as a teenager there! Very similar early books to you and I also loved Enid Blytons boarding school books.
What an amazing place for a part-time job!
It was one of my favourite jobs 😊
The Paperbag Princess sounds fabulous and one for my daughters!
I was a prolific reader as a kid, my head always hidden in books. They were a wonderful way to escape to new universes.
For me it was always The Secret Seven, Famous Five, then later Sweet Valley High, and anything at all by Judy Blume (especially ‘Forever’, which I would sneak out of the library.
Books are the true magic of life. What else can transport and embrace you in such a way x
When I revisited it I was so surprised how relevant it is. It would be a great book your your daughters. I often buy it for my friends children, both girls and boys.
They so are! I’m still so struck by the whole worlds that live in those pages x
I love it when you find a book that’s the perfect gift for anyone :)
I read every one of the Trixie Beldon series. Drove my family crazy trying to find them allA mystery solving girl and her band of teen friends 😆. Read everything I could get my hands on really. Lovely piece. Books have always been such a magical place for a child’s mind to feel free.