What reading level is Goodnight Mister Tom?

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian is at a Level 8 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Goodnight Mister Tom appropriate for?

Goodnight Mister Tom is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 12IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags: Child Abuse, War Impact.

What genre is Goodnight Mister Tom?

Goodnight Mister Tom is fiction — World War, 1939-1945.

Does Goodnight Mister Tom have any content warnings?

Goodnight Mister Tom has a HootRating of 12IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags include: Child Abuse, War Impact. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Goodnight Mister Tom?

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian is 429 pages.

Goodnight Mister Tom

Michelle Magorian

Goodnight Mister Tom

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Michelle Magorian

Reading Level 8 12IE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

The sharp scent of burning wood fills the cold air as Willie steps into the quiet countryside, far from the noise of war. The soft creak of old Tom Oakley’s house becomes a safe rhythm in Willie's heart, where friendship and hope begin to grow. But a shadow from the past calls him back — can the warmth of this new home survive the darkness he faces?

Themes

Friendship FamilyWar & ConflictPrejudice & RacismComing of Age

Quick Assessment

Set during World War II, this middle-grade novel follows Willie Beech, a neglected boy evacuated from London to the countryside, where he finds care and friendship with Tom Oakley. The story sensitively explores themes of trauma, healing, and the impact of war on children, making it suitable for readers ages 9-12. Parents should note the book addresses serious topics such as child abuse and the realities of wartime hardship.