Once

Felix is a young Jewish boy living in a Catholic orphanage in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II. When Nazi soldiers arrive and burn books from the orphanage library, Felix decides to escape and search for his parents, who were bookshop owners. On his journey through a dangerous wartime landscape, Felix meets a young girl named Zelda whose parents have been killed. The two children form a bond and travel together, with Felix creating stories to help protect Zelda from the harsh realities they face. Once is the first book in a seven-part series that follows Felix's life through different periods. The novel draws inspiration from real Holocaust accounts and survivors' stories, particularly those of children who lived through this period in history. This powerful story explores themes of childhood innocence confronting brutal reality, the sustaining power of hope, and the role of storytelling as both escape and survival mechanism during humanity's darkest moments.

Readers connect deeply with Felix's innocent perspective as a Jewish boy during WWII, finding the narrative accessible despite the heavy subject matter. Parents and teachers note the book works well for introducing the Holocaust to children ages 10-14. Likes: - Simple, clear writing style that doesn't oversimplify complex themes - Balance of hope and harsh reality - Character development, especially Felix's gradual understanding - Effectiveness as a teaching tool for WWII history Dislikes: - Some found the ending too abrupt - A few readers wanted more historical context - Parents of sensitive children caution about violent scenes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (25,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (500+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 (parents), 4/5 (kids) "Heartbreaking but not overwhelming for young readers" - Goodreads reviewer "The child's voice rings true without becoming precious" - Amazon reviewer "Opens important discussions with students" - Teacher review on Common Sense Media

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry A young girl helps her Jewish friend escape Nazi-occupied Denmark during World War II.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak Death narrates the story of a German girl who steals books and helps hide a Jewish man in her basement during World War II.

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr A Jewish family flees Berlin before World War II, experiencing life as refugees through the eyes of a nine-year-old girl.

The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen A modern teenager is transported back in time to a Jewish village in 1942, where she experiences the Holocaust firsthand.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne The son of a Nazi commandant befriends a Jewish boy through the fence of a concentration camp, leading to life-changing consequences.

🔹 The book is part of a series that took Morris Gleitzman 15 years to complete, with the final book "Always" published in 2019, making it one of the longest-running Holocaust series for young readers. 🔹 Janusz Korczak, who inspired elements of the story, was a Polish-Jewish educator who ran an orphanage in Warsaw and famously refused freedom to stay with his orphans when they were sent to Treblinka. 🔹 Morris Gleitzman didn't originally plan to write a series - "Once" was meant to be a standalone book, but readers' responses and the complexity of the subject matter led to six more books. 🔹 The author spent three years researching the Holocaust before writing "Once," including visiting Poland and consulting with Holocaust survivors to ensure historical accuracy. 🔹 The series has been translated into 23 languages and is used in schools across multiple countries as a tool for teaching children about the Holocaust.