Once

Once by Morris Gleitzman is an amazing read. It is set in 1942 during WWii and set about a boy called Felix. He lives in an orphanage and then runs away to find his parents. I recommend this book to 12 years and above. It is a great read Show more Show less

I think that Once was a great book. It’s all about the holocaust and how Jewish people suffered during that period. It’s even better that it is narrated by a young naive boy, who happens to be Jewish. He is vaguely aware of what is happening in the world, but thinks that he is the exception. He goes through many hard times but at least he has his ever present friend, Zelda, by his side. She is very bossy, despit being much younger than Felix, she still bosses him around. Overall, this is amazing book written by an amazing author and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series! Show more Show less

Once shows how hard it was during the holocaust. Even for children.

fascinating heart-warming story.

An incredible story filled with courage, hope and sadness. A tale of how an optimistic young boy stays true through many horrors.

Once is a book about a boy named Felix who is trying to survive WW2. On his way to the city he finds an orphan girl named Zelda they travel to the city together. Sadly Felix' parents were killed by the Nazis. I really enjoyed this book and recommend this book for year 4 and up. Show more Show less

AMAZING!

Incredible!!

I haven’t read this one for the MS Readathon but have read it multiple times over the years. For those who aren’t familiar with the plot, it’s about a Jewish boy named Felix whose parents have left him at a Christian orphanage to keep him safe from the Nazis. He finds a carrot in his soup and believes it to be a sign that his parents are coming for him; however, he leaves the orphanage off his own bat to warn his bookstore owner parents when he sees Nazi soldiers burning books.

If you’ve read ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ by John Boyn, you’ll probably enjoy ‘Once.’ The first time I read ‘Once’ having just seen (and shortly afterward) read ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ I couldn’t help comparing the two boys; namely, how naive both were and their abilities to explain horrible situations. Eg. Groups of Jews being rounded up for deportation to concentration camps were actually people on a holiday tour; the Star of David was to show they were in the same group. Having read extensively about the Holocaust and concentration camps, I couldn’t stop rolling my eyes the first time I read ‘Once’ wishing Felix would stop being so naive. As the narrative progresses, though, and one sees him become more serious I felt guilty for wishing such things. Show more Show less

An easy book to read Benny says its good and fun.

Gruesome and Gory

Really well written but quite sad......I really recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about WW2

Once is an excellent book about world war II where a Jewish boy escapes his orphanage without knowing about the war and Nazis. Reading this book, you will feel frustrated but still read it

A bit scary but an amazing (and True) story

This is a somewhat sad story, but it is really well written and tells an important story from an important point of view

A very well told book. it captures your attention from the very start to the very end. Cant wait to read part 2!

This book is about what it was like to be a child during the holocaust. It is an amazing book that you won't want to stop reading. Once is a whole series of books I have read Once,Then and After at the moment I am reading Now. Show more Show less

Once is a book all about what it was like to be a child during the holocaust. They are amazing books that you won't want to stop reading I have read most of the series such as Once,Then and After I am now starting to read the next book Now. Show more Show less

Once is about a Jewish boy named Felix. He lives in nazi invaded Poland. He has to survive.

This book shows us through a time us kids have never seen before. War. He tells about a young boy, Felix and his adventures and experiences. I got addicted to this book! I would totally recommend.

This novel follows the story of a young 12 yr old boy through his journey of the Holocaust as a Jewish orphan and his exploration to find his parents. He encounters many types of segregation the Jews were exposed to. He also meets a group of other Jewish children around his age and makes a special connection to Barney (The group leader) and Zelda one of the girls in his group and forms a sibling relationship with them. I recommend this book to anyone aged yr5 or above or who likes learning about history and the past. Show more Show less