Just Henry [Paperback]

Michelle Magorian (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

It's 1949 and life is bleak for Henry. He misses his father who died a war hero, and he escapes from his annoying stepfather and stepsister whenever he can by going to the movies. One day he meets Mr. Beaumont, a man who also loves films and agrees to lend Henry a camera for his school project. Henry is disgusted to learn that he's been put in a group with Jeffries, the son of a man who went AWOL, and Pip, who was born illegitimate. Henry begins to learn that tolerance and friendship are more important than social stigmas when he processes the film and makes an alarming discovery. Like a bomb waiting to explode, Henry's world is about to unravel, and he will need his new friends to keep disaster in check.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'The author has a wonderful gift for hanging a richly woven tapestry around an essentially simple frame.' Times Education Supplement."

About the Author

Michelle Magorian is the author of several children's books, including the acclaimed Goodnight Mister Tom.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 720 pages
• Publisher: Egmont UK (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405227575
• ISBN-13: 978-1405227575
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #787,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow--what a wonderful book!, June 27, 2008

By 

C. Woelke (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Just Henry (Paperback)

I ordered this after reading a glowing review of "Just Henry" in the Guardian, and they were spot on! It's an exciting story, jam-packed with adventure. I'm an adult who enjoys reading children's books, and I couldn't put it down--I read it at home, on the bus, at lunch, and even, toward the end, sneak-read it at my desk at work! (I haven't' done that since the last Connie Willis novel, "Passage," came out.)

Henry is a 14-year old boy in post-WWII Britain. He lives under the misguided influence of his grandmother; he has no friends, misses his war-hero father, and resents his stepfather and stepsister. He goes through a great deal of heartbreak and danger as he comes to important realizations about himself and the world, solving mysteries about his past and becoming part of a community--all against a backdrop of the films he constantly goes to see. But that hardly sums up what a rich and thoughtful story it is; it's full of drama, intrigue, humor, sadness...pretty much everything.

I'd highly recommend this for both children and adults. It's fast-paced and full of warm, believable characters. And the author is good at portraying the excitement people felt when movies like "On the Town," "Rome: Open City," or "The Third Man" were just coming out. It makes me want to rent them and try to look at them not as classics but as fresh new features. In the meantime, I'll be looking for more books by this author.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just wonderful., June 17, 2009

By 

Amandanevin "nevina" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Just Henry (Paperback)

While on vacation in the UK last summer I was excited to see the new book by Michelle Magorium. I had recently read and enjoyed Goodnight Mr. Tom so I picked up her new book without hesitation. My time with this book was one of the most satisfying reading experiences in recent memory. This is not a children's book which only children will enjoy.

Henry is a 14 year old boy living in post WWII England. (1949). He lives in a world of poverty and prejudice and, as the story begins, Henry is as hateful and prejudiced as everyone else around him. His father died during the war while saving the life of a comrade and Henry now lives with his mother, step father, half sister and his paternal grandmother. He is a sad, conflicted, hate filled and very lonely boy who finds solace in going to the movies. Movies for Henry are an escape, a way to leave his own life behind and enter,for a short time a new world. As the story develops the function of movies in Henrys life changes often. They start as an escape and end up becoming a destination of sorts. From being an escape from reality to actually being his reality. Just one of the many ironies weaved throughout the plot. This book has it all. Secrets, mysteries, friendship, adventure, fear, love and what might be the most black hearted grandmother in literature.

I could write so much more about this wonderful book but not without giving away some spoilers, and I hate it when spoilers are part of a review.

I give this book my highest recommendation. There is no one I know who would not enjoy this.