Cassie McCullough

It was the first story that ever made me cry.

It was the first time I've been introduced to those sorts of feelings.

I loved that book.

It was so diverse in its nature and Paul Jennings just has the most incredible way of writing for people.

for children that, you know, it was something that stayed with me for all these years.

Oh, my goodness.

It's devastating.

I urge you to read it.

I haven't heard this.

It's just the most wonderful little story.

Well, from there, I suppose in my older childhood, I suppose, I remember quite vividly, I speculatively borrowed a book from the library.

And I don't know why it spoke to me.

I was just drawn to it.

It was just one of the most beautiful books I'd ever read.

And it was called Goodnight, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian.

The story was about during the London Blitz, the kids would be sent up north to stay with families for their safety.

It was about a young child called Will who goes up north of England and stays with a fairly crotchety old man called Mr. Tom.

It was about the kind of relationship that blossomed between the two of them.

Again, it was a very, very moving read and it introduced me to feelings and a tapestry of emotions and a sophistication of writing that I'd never quite experienced before.

It's such a beautiful book.