Once

Published on 10 April 2025 at 13:37

WW2, Holocaust, Nazi-occupied Poland, Germany, Jewish, Orphans, First Person narrative

Once

by Morris Gleitzman

Key information 

 

Author: Morris Gleitzman

Cover artist: various

Release Date: 23rd February 2006

Book type: Short chapter 160 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Star rating: ★★★★★

Reader level: Confident reader (9+, sensitive content)

Age: Year 5+

Overview

Felix finds a carrot in his soup—he takes this as a sign that his parents are coming to get him. He decides to escape the orphanage and find them himself, unaware of the true horrors unfolding in Nazi-occupied Poland.

As Felix journeys across the countryside, he begins to piece together the real meaning of the war, of Nazis, and what it means to be Jewish in a time of hatred and genocide. His worldview begins to change as he witnesses violence, destruction, and cruelty. But despite all of this, he holds on to hope, stories, and his own belief in goodness.

Felix meets a young girl named Zelda, and takes it upon himself to protect her—though she, like many, doesn't yet understand the full danger they face. The two form a moving bond as they hide, run, and try to survive.

The novel ends with a moment of heartbreaking tension and truth—leaving the reader in deep reflection and urging them toward the next book, Then.

Content Warning

This book is an honest first personan narrative of a Jewish child's experiences in Nazi-occupied Poland.

 

Felix witnesses abuse, murder, torture and the death of many around him. He speaks of seeing starving people, dying children and adults and narrowly escpaes death many times.

Spoiler Alert

Felix's friend is shot and killed after fleeing from a Nazi train travelling to a Death Camp.

Key concepts/themes  

  • War
  • Holocaust
  • Awakening
  • Identity
  • Resilience
  • Friendship

Considerations

  • Death
  • Murder
  • Illness and disease
  • Loss of life 
  • Death camps
  • Hanging 
  • Shooting
  • Starving 

Curriculum links

  • History - WW2, The Holocaust 
  • Geography - Poland, Nazi-occupied Poland

Additional teaching opportunities 

1. Writing

- First person narrative of WW2

- Writing about war from child's perspective 

- Letter to Richmal Crompton for help

- Setting description (war-torn Poland)

- Writing with atmosphere

- Character description (Zelda)

- Recount

2. PSHE

- Learning from history

- Respecting others

- Importance of friendship and kindness

 

3. RE

- Judaism 

- Persecution of Jewish people

Vocabulary

Tier 2 Tier 3
Innocent, Hopeful, Grim, Hitler, Nazis, Death Camps, Holocause, Jewish, Ghetto, Orphanage, Genocide, Concentration Camp, Torah

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