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Once

by Morris Gleitzman

Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 9+

Published by Puffin, 2006

  • Around the world
  • Classics
  • Historical

About this book

Felix has lived in a Catholic orphanage for over three years but always hopes that his Jewish bookseller parents to come for him. Alarmed by the sight of what he assumes are official 'librarians' burning Jewish books in the orphanage, he sets off in search of his parents to warn them of the danger.

On his travels Felix uses his natural optimism and storytelling gift to explain away the horrific events he witnesses in Nazi-occupied Poland. His stories bring hope to the children of a ghetto and ultimately comfort to them on their final train journey.

Morris Gleitzman brings heart and humour to the difficult subject of the Holocaust in this ground-breaking children's book. Told in simple yet powerful language, his story reveals the redemptive power of stories and the potential for humanity and hope even in the most tragic times.

About the author

Morris Gleitzman was born in Lincolnshire and moved to Australia in his teens. He worked as a paperboy, a shelf-stacker, a frozen chicken de-froster, an assistant to a fashion designer and more, before taking a degree in Professional Writing at Canberra College and becoming a writer.

He has written for TV, stage, newspapers and magazines but is best known for his hugely successful children's books including Two Weeks with the Queen, Bumface, and his series about Felix and Zelda, Once, Now, Then and After.  He has won the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award and been shortlisted for the prestigious Guardian Children's Fiction Prize.

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