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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 her seventh novel. 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.
Here at Lovereading4kids we urge parents and children to try out the wonderful writing, experience the roller-coaster of emotions you’ll get from reading a Michelle Magorian novel. We’re confident you’ll be swept up into a time and place that should never be forgotten.
Click here to read a Q&A with the author from top children's publisher Egmont.
Interest Age Teen Reading Age 7+ There’s more than one ghost in Michelle Magorian’s genuinely creepy new short novel. Hannah, her mum and dad and little brother are on holiday and she’s sure there’s a sinister presence in their little holiday flat. But her mum and dad are distracted, ever since Mum lost the baby they’ve been snapping at each other, and they won’t believe her. It’s only when they do that Hannah can escape the ghost and find a way to acknowledge the loss of the baby too. Magorian explores family relationships with typical sensitivity and insight and there’s lots to think about in this spare, economically written novel, as well as moments to send shivers down the spine. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 12+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of super-readable short fiction by some of the very best children’s authors and illustrators in the UK. Each title has a host of unique accessibility features to offer cracking reads to more children including reluctant and struggling readers and those with dyslexia or visual stress. Here at Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting the best of their new and backlist titles to recommend to you. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
There is real depth to Michelle Magorian’s story of a young boy taking part in a sponsored swim at his local pool. Ben is set to swim 100 lengths, then his mates Jack and Harry will finish the relay doing 50 lengths each. He’s a bit disdainful of the other swimmers, the loudly enthusiastic group of teenagers determined to complete it in record time, and Betty the old lady – ‘wrinkly’ as Harry and Jack would say – in the next lane. But he revises his opinion after he finishes his laps and there’s still no sign of his so-called friends. With Betty’s encouragement he complete all 200 laps himself. It gives him a sense of achievement that changes the way he thinks about himself. An insightful book from an author who really understands human nature. ~ Andrea Reece
Interest Age 5-8 Poor Josh, he’s being tortured by his baby brother. Charlie may only be 17 days old but he’s really making Josh angry: he keeps everyone awake all night; he takes all their parents’ attention; they’ve had to move house, and no-one has time to unpack, let alone decorate Josh’s room. But over the course of one night, Josh comes to love his brother so fiercely he knows he’d dive into icy waters to save him. It’s a beautifully observed slice of family life told with genuine warmth, and without a trace of sentimentality. Sam Usher’s illustrations of the two brothers are gorgeous too. A special book for sharing or for children to read on their own. ~ Andrea Reece About the Little Gems series: Little Gems are in a gorgeous new chunky format, with high-spec production including coloured endpapers and jacketed flaps with activities. Additional features include high quality cream paper, Barrington Stoke font and illustrations on every page. They are perfect for 5-8's. These quality stories promote good reading practice for all newly independent readers.
A heart breaking and heart warming story of a special friendship that grows between Willie Beech, evacuated to the country to avoid the Blitz on London, and Tom Oakley, the reserved old man who takes him in. Willie has been lonely and neglected all his life as his mother lacks the ability to care for him. Under Mister Tom’s patient and kind guidance Willie grows emotionally and physically to become the boy he should have been. But then his mother wants him back home in London. Must Willie loose everything that has made him happy? Be sure to check out other books by this author. Just Henry, A Spoonful of Jam, A little Love Song, Cuckoo In The Nest. Puffin Fact! The beech tree’s slim trunk gave Michelle Magorian the idea for her skinny evacuee’s name – William Beech. Download more Puffin Facts here! _____________ Dear readers, dreamers and adventurers, Ever wanted a friend who could take you to magical realms, talk to animals or help you survive a shipwreck? Well, you'll find them all in the PUFFIN BOOK collection. A PUFFIN BOOK will stay with you forever. Maybe you'll read it again and again, or perhaps years from now you'll suddenly remember the moment it made you laugh or cry or simply see things differently. Adventurers big and small, rebels out to change their world, even a mouse with a dream and a spider who can spell - these are the characters who make stories that last a lifetime. Whether you love animal tales, war stories or want to know what it was like growing up in a different time and place, the A PUFFIN BOOK collection has a story for you - you just need to decide where you want to go next... We want to know which is your favourite. Tell us or tweet a photo of your old beloved copy - and we might just send you a new A PUFFIN BOOK so you can pass the story on. Love - PUFFIN @puffinbooks #shareapuffinbook
Winner of the 2008 Costa Children’s Book Award - From the award winning author of Goodnight Mister Tom comes a new page turning tale. 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. Be sure to check out A Spoonful of Jam, A Little Love Song, Cuckoo In The Nest by the same author. STOP PRESS: JUST HENRY TO HIT THE TV SCREENS AT CHRISTMAS 2011 ON ITV: Rising star, Josh Bolt (Nowhere Boy, The Be All and End All), will lead a prestigious cast including: Elaine Cassidy (Harper's Island, A Room with a View, Felicia's Journey), Dean Andrews (Marchlands, Ashes to Ashes), Stephen Campbell Moore (Season of the Witch, Thorne, Ben Hur), Barbara Flynn (Miss Potter, Cracker, Cranford), and BAFTA nominated actress Shelia Hancock (New Tricks, Bedtime, Moving On), in ITV1's new drama Just Henry. Adapted by Michael Chaplin (creator of Grafters and Monarch of the Glen), from Michelle Magorian's critically acclaimed novel, Just Henry tells a engaging story about one boy's discovery that will alter his family life forever. Produced by Paul Frift (Instinct, Crooked House, Room at the Top) and directed by David Moore (Monroe, Merlin, Sweeney Todd) for ITV Studios, Just Henry will be filmed on location in Leeds throughout August and will be scheduled this Christmas on ITV1.Just Henry also stars John Henshaw (Red Riding, Looking for Eric, Confessions of a Diary Secretary), an ex-soldier and now the Commissionaire at the Plaza Cinema. Pooky Quesnel (Scott & Bailey, Five Days, Criminal Justice) plays Paul's mother Mrs Jefferies.Director of Drama Commissioning Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes, Controller of Drama Commissioning, have commissioned the 1 x 90 minute film, which is executive produced by Creative Director Kate Bartlett and Myar Craig-Brown - Drama ITV Studios. Laura says, "Just Henry is a really heart-warming script which follows the journey of one boy's discovery that will change his life, family and friends forever. It's rich with detail from the post war era and has a very sympathetic and engaging young character at its heart. The film will be a wonderful treat for the Christmas schedule."
The lure of the theatre draws Ralph but acting is not what his family wants for him. Can he persuade them? A wonderfully nostalgic story about one boy’s determination to see his dreams come through and a fascinating and vivid picture of Britain in the 1940s. Be sure to check out Just Henry, A Spoonful of Jam, A little Love Song.
A scholarship girl at the grammar school, Elsie has a lot of prove as she stands up for herself against school bullies and her father. Be sure to check out Just Henry, A Spoonful of Jam, A little Love Song, Cuckoo In The Nest and of course the classic Goodnight Mister Tom.
A tender love story and coming of age novel set against a backdrop of wartime uncertainty and it tells how the war effects the sleepy town that Rosie lives in and especially how it effect her and her search for love. Magorian’s wonderful stories are the perfect reads to curl up on a sofa with. Be sure to check out Just Henry, A Spoonful of Jam, Cuckoo In The Nest.
One of our Books of the Year 2014 Best-loved for her classic Second World War title Goodnight Mister Tom, Michelle Magorian brings the excitement of being part of a theatre company to life in this action-packed and rip-roaring adventure. Twelve year old Josie comes from a theatrical family so it is no surprise that she grabs a place at drama school or – more remarkably – finds herself stepping in as a substitute for a play at the last minute. But there’s something fishy going on behind the scenes and, in a case of mistaken identity, Josie is kidnapped! Set in the 1960s Michelle Magorian peppers the story with excellent period detail which adds greatly to the flavour of this fun-to-read story.
It's 1945. World War II has just ended and twelve-year-old Rusty comes back home to Britain after being evacuated to the US. The greyness and bleakness of life in England is a shock, but even worse is adapting to the strict discipline of her family, including a brother she's never met, after the warmth and openness of her adopted American family. Rusty is sent to a horrific boarding school, before finally running away as her search for happiness becomes more and more desperate.
A heart breaking and heart warming story of a special friendship that grows between Willie Beech, evacuated to the country to avoid the Blitz on London, and Tom Oakley, the reserved old man who takes him in. Willie has been lonely and neglected all his life as his mother lacks the ability to care for him. Under Mister Tom’s patient and kind guidance Willie grows emotionally and physically to become the boy he should have been. But then his mother wants him back home in London. Must Willie loose everything that has made him happy?
Winner of the 2008 Costa Children’s Book Award - From the award winning author of Goodnight Mister Tom comes a new page turning tale. 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. Be sure to check out A Spoonful of Jam, A Little Love Song, Cuckoo In The Nest by the same author. STOP PRESS: JUST HENRY TO HIT THE TV SCREENS AT CHRISTMAS 2011 ON ITV: Rising star, Josh Bolt (Nowhere Boy, The Be All and End All), will lead a prestigious cast including: Elaine Cassidy (Harper's Island, A Room with a View, Felicia's Journey), Dean Andrews (Marchlands, Ashes to Ashes), Stephen Campbell Moore (Season of the Witch, Thorne, Ben Hur), Barbara Flynn (Miss Potter, Cracker, Cranford), and BAFTA nominated actress Shelia Hancock (New Tricks, Bedtime, Moving On), in ITV1's new drama Just Henry. Adapted by Michael Chaplin (creator of Grafters and Monarch of the Glen), from Michelle Magorian's critically acclaimed novel, Just Henry tells a engaging story about one boy's discovery that will alter his family life forever. Produced by Paul Frift (Instinct, Crooked House, Room at the Top) and directed by David Moore (Monroe, Merlin, Sweeney Todd) for ITV Studios, Just Henry will be filmed on location in Leeds throughout August and will be scheduled this Christmas on ITV1.Just Henry also stars John Henshaw (Red Riding, Looking for Eric, Confessions of a Diary Secretary), an ex-soldier and now the Commissionaire at the Plaza Cinema. Pooky Quesnel (Scott & Bailey, Five Days, Criminal Justice) plays Paul's mother Mrs Jefferies.Director of Drama Commissioning Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes, Controller of Drama Commissioning, have commissioned the 1 x 90 minute film, which is executive produced by Creative Director Kate Bartlett and Myar Craig-Brown - Drama ITV Studios. Laura says, "Just Henry is a really heart-warming script which follows the journey of one boy's discovery that will change his life, family and friends forever. It's rich with detail from the post war era and has a very sympathetic and engaging young character at its heart. The film will be a wonderful treat for the Christmas schedule."
