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Michelle Magorian
Michelle Magorian was born in Hampshire. As a child she spent as
much time as possible in the King's Theatre in Portsmouth and her
ambition was always to go on the stage.
Michelle studied drama, including some time studying
mime in Paris. From there she launched into a professional acting
career and spent a few years touring all over the country - from
Scotland to Devon and then Yorkshire - working in repertory
companies, taking any part she could. Michelle's worst stage part
was playing Orinoco the Womble in a musical.
Besides acting, Michelle had always enjoyed writing
and she wrote Goodnight Mister Tom in a novel-writing class. The
idea for the book came from the colours in a song from Joseph and
the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. She thought of brown as an
earthy, old colour and green as a colour of youth. The character of
William Beech came into her head because she thought of a beech
tree with its slim trunk and it gave her the idea for a slim young
boy. Details for the story came from her mother's tales about her
time as a nurse in the Second World War. It took Michelle four and
a half years to write Goodnight Mister Tom because she was also
working in the theatre. Immediately it was published it was a huge
success, and the story has now been published all over the
world.
Michelle followed Good Night Mister Tom with Back
Home, another story about the war - this time about adapting to
coming home in 1945 after five years in the USA.
Most of Michelle's other books are also set in the
1940s, around the life of the theatre.
A Spoonful of Jam
It's the summer of 1947. England is basking in the second year of world peace, but for Elsie there are other wars to be fought. After winning a scholarship to the grammar school, she has to face being the odd-one-out at home and at school. She must also learn to stand up to her father who wants her to be out earning a living instead. And there's always the lure of the theatre in the background. Another moving and intense story of family life. (11+)
Published by Egmont Books Limited
Goodnight Mister Tom
A deeply moving story about evacuee Willie Beech whose stay with the grumpy old Tom Oakley has a wonderful effect on both of them. Willie grows from a frightened little boy from a deprived home in the slums of London, while Tom's crustiness disappears as he brings out the best in Willie. (9+)
Published in Puffin Books
Cuckoo in the Nest
Growing up in the 1940s and in a family struggling to make ends meet, everything is stacked against Ralph's ambition to be an actor. But Ralph is determined; being a part of the theatre is all that he has ever wanted. The story of Ralph's efforts to fulfil his ambition is heart warming.
Published by Egmont Books Limited
Back Home
The Second World War is over and Rusty returns to England after five years in America. Everything seems so drab and, worse still, her family seem like strangers. Although homesick for her American family, Rusty has to adapt to her new life, but her indomitable spirit causes her to embark on a dramatic and dangerous rebellion. (10+)
Published in Puffin Books
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[ Windows Media Clip 1- Back Home ]
[ Windows Media Clip 2- I like to write about people ]
[ Windows Media Clip 3- Why do I write about the Second World War? ]
[ Windows Media Clip 4- I get so upset when I write certain chapters ]
