70 pages • 2 hours read
Once
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Book Brief
192
Novel • Fiction
Poland • 1940s
2005
YA
10-14 years
640L
Super Short Summary
Once by Morris Gleitzman follows Felix, a 10-year-old Jewish boy hiding in a Catholic orphanage in 1942 Poland, as he embarks on a journey to find his parents amid Nazi occupation. Encountering a variety of dangers and forming bonds with others, including a girl named Zelda and a kind man named Barney, Felix faces the harsh realities of the Holocaust while holding onto hope and the power of storytelling. This book includes depictions of wartime violence and loss.
Emotional
Heartwarming
Suspenseful
Challenging
Hopeful
Reviews & Readership
28,707 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Once by Morris Gleitzman is widely acclaimed for its poignant narrative and deeply affecting portrayal of a young boy's Holocaust experience. Reviewers praise its emotional depth, engaging storytelling, and historical significance. However, some note its intense themes may be too harrowing for younger readers. Overall, it is highly recommended for its compelling and meaningful content.
Who Should Read Once?
A reader who would enjoy Morris Gleitzman's Once is likely interested in historical fiction, particularly narratives focused on World War II seen through a child's perspective. Fans of John Boyne's The Boy in the Striped Pajamas or Lois Lowry's Number the Stars will appreciate the emotional depth and adventurous spirit found in this touching story.
28,707 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Zelda
Zelda
A six-year-old girl Felix finds near her burning home, known for her catchphrase “Don’t you know anything?” and who travels with Felix while remaining unaware of her parents' fate.
Barney
Barney
A big, bearded Jewish dentist living in a Polish ghetto who wears a leather jacket with a bullet hole and harbors children, including Felix and Zelda, in a cellar to protect them from the Nazis.
Mother Minka
Mother Minka
A severe yet caring Catholic nun and head of the mountain orphanage where Felix stays, who hides the truth about the plight of Poland’s Jewish people from him.
192
Novel • Fiction
Poland • 1940s
2005
YA
10-14 years
640L
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