On Wednesday this week, Gold class were lucky enough to be visited Michelle Margorian who wrote ‘Goodnight Mr Tom’ – she is the author of our class text!

Michelle started by sharing the images chosen for the different book jackets that have been used over the years and how and why they were different for the many different languages in which her book has been translated, followed by telling us how the book was turned into a screen play and the challenges and opportunities the writers of the screenplay had in taking her ideas and making them come to life with images and music. 

Michelle also spoke about the musical in which there was a great deal more made of William Beech's mother's character. She pointed out particular scenes that the class remembered and could talk to the children about why she chose to include them and what she hoped the reader would learn from them. She read aloud from her book and also shared lyrics that she had written for the musical. Lastly, she played the score which had been composed for the BBC adaptation.

It was a fascinating journey and ended in her answering the children's questions about her inspiration, her favourite characters and if she knew how big her novel would become.

What a fantastic experience; we would like thank Michelle for coming in to talk to the children and to Mrs   Spiller for organising the visit.