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.

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.

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.

Emotional / Heartwarming / Suspenseful / Challenging / Hopeful

- Once by Morris Gleitzman was first published in 2005 and is the beginning of a seven-part series exploring the experiences of a young boy during World War II.
- The book was inspired by the author's travels in Poland and a desire to write a story that would help young people understand the complexities and emotions of historical events.

**Felix Salinger**  
A ten-year-old Jewish boy with glasses who escapes from a mountain orphanage in Nazi-occupied Poland, carrying a cherished notebook filled with stories and letters from his bookseller parents.

**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**  
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**  
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.

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