Once is a heartbreaking, beautiful story about a young, innocent Jewish boy named Felix. Before WWII began, his parents hid him in a catholic orphanage where the nuns kept his secret. After four years at the orphanage, Felix is sure that he's received a message. He believes that his parents want him to come and find them. So he sneaks out of the orphanage and finds his old house above his parent's bookstore. But his parents are no longer there. As he walks around trying to find his parents, he learns more about the war, who the Nazis are, and meets a little girl named Zelda whose parents were killed. This is an innocent, childlike account of WWII. I would recommend this book to 6th grade and older, seeing as it is about one of the most terrible wars in history. It is sad, scary, and sweet, and you will definitely cry your eyes out!
Once (Once Series)
By Morris Gleitzman
| Interest Level | Reading Level | Reading A-Z | ATOS | Word Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 6 - 8 | Grades 2 - 8 | Y | 4.1 | 30820 |
Felix, a Jewish boy in Poland in 1942, is hiding from the Nazis in a Catholic orphanage. The only problem is that he doesn't know anything about the war, and thinks he's only in the orphanage while his parents travel and try to salvage their bookselling business. And when he thinks his parents are in danger, Felix sets off to warn them--straight into the heart of Nazi-occupied Poland. To Felix, everything is a story: Why did he get a whole carrot in his soup? It must be sign that his parents are coming to get him. Why are the Nazis burning books? They must be foreign librarians sent to clean out the orphanage's outdated library. But as Felix's journey gets increasingly dangerous, he begins to see horrors that not even stories can explain.
Despite his grim suroundings, Felix never loses hope. Morris Gleitzman takes a painful subject and expertly turns it into a story filled with love, friendship, and even humor.
Book Reviews (31)
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I finished this book in 2 days, and it was so amazing! It was sad to me about how innocent the boy's thoughts were that just made me so engaged in it
It was really nice book. I cried so much. Also I like there are 7 books. I'm going to keep reading until I finished all !!
hi, I just wanted to point out that once is one of seven books.
I would just like to say there are SEVEN books in this series instead of three.
I think the book once is good but it is not for me ok bye.
I think this book is awesome and I think more kids should read books like this.
legendary book, need to read
It is kind of sad and mysterious which is about an orphan who suffers in WW2 and makes friend with a 6 year girl called Zelda who also becomes an orphan. It is a very nice book if you want to read but try not to CRY!!!
read the series it is the best