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Once

Once

by Morris Gleitzman

Book 1 of Once

First published 2005 · 163 pages · about 3 hours to read

On these lists: #10 Books like The Book Thief · #1 Books like The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

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About this book

Once is a children's novel by Morris Gleitzman about a Jewish boy hiding from the Nazis in occupied Poland during the Second World War. Felix tells his story in letters addressed to God, so the book is both a wartime survival story and a close look at a child's faith. It is the first of a trilogy, and readers come to it for its young narrator and its mix of grief and humour.

Felix is a Jewish boy in occupied Poland, and he has been separated from his family. He is living among people who do not know who he really is, and he writes to God to make sense of what is happening to him.

Summary written with AI from the book's details.

Will you like it?

This is a children's novel for middle-grade readers, and it suits those who want a first look at the Holocaust through a child's eyes. Its premise of a Jewish boy hiding in occupied Poland and writing letters to God gives it a personal, direct voice that is both sad and funny.

  • faith and doubt
  • hiding and survival
  • family separation
  • friendship in danger
  • a child's view of war

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Quick answers

What age is Once for?
Middle grade, about 8 to 12.
Is Once a standalone?
No, it's part of a series.
Is Once based on a true story?
It's fiction drawn from real people or events. Felix is a fictional character, but the book draws on the real experiences of Jewish children who were hidden in Catholic institutions in occupied Poland during the Second World War.
Does Once have violence, sex or strong language?
Yes: violence.

Written with AI from what's known about the book.

Reader's guide

Themesfaith and doubt, hiding and survival, family separation, friendship in danger, the Holocaust, a child's view of war

faith and doubt · hiding and survival · family separation · friendship in danger · the Holocaust · a child's view of war

StyleFirst person, told as a series of letters from Felix to God. The chapters are short, the language is plain and direct, and the tone mixes humour with grief. The book is short, at about 163 pages, and suits younger readers.

First person, told as a series of letters from Felix to God. The chapters are short, the language is plain and direct, and the tone mixes humour with grief. The book is short, at about 163 pages, and suits younger readers.

How it was writtenMorris Gleitzman is an Australian children's author who was born in England. Once was published in 2005 and is the first of a trilogy that continues with Then and Now. Gleitzman based the book on the experiences of Jewish children hidden in occupied Poland, though Felix himself is a fictional character.

Morris Gleitzman is an Australian children's author who was born in England. Once was published in 2005 and is the first of a trilogy that continues with Then and Now. Gleitzman based the book on the experiences of Jewish children hidden in occupied Poland, though Felix himself is a fictional character.

How it was receivedOnce is widely read by children and is often taught in schools, particularly as an introduction to the Holocaust for younger readers. Its readers and teachers tend to value its emotional honesty and its humour in the middle of hard material.

Once is widely read by children and is often taught in schools, particularly as an introduction to the Holocaust for younger readers. Its readers and teachers tend to value its emotional honesty and its humour in the middle of hard material.

Questions to discussWhy does Felix write his story as letters to God, and what do the letters tell us about him that a straightforward narration would not?

These may talk about the whole book.

  1. Why does Felix write his story as letters to God, and what do the letters tell us about him that a straightforward narration would not?
  2. How does the book handle humour in such a dark setting, and why might the author have chosen to include it?
  3. What does Felix learn about faith, and how does his relationship with God change over the course of the book?
  4. How do the adults around Felix behave, and which of them do you trust and why?
  5. What does the book show about hiding and survival, and what choices does Felix have to make?
  6. Why do you think Gleitzman wrote a trilogy rather than a single book, and what would be lost if the story ended with the first book?
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Written with AI from what's known about the book.

More by Morris Gleitzman

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