Morris Gleitzman Once Series Collection 7 Books Set (Once, Then, Now, After, Maybe, Soon, Always)

Morris Gleitzman Once Series Collection brings together seven books following Felix, first introduced as a Jewish boy living in an orphanage in Poland in 1942. When men in armbands arrive to burn the books, he runs in search of his parents and discovers how dangerous the world has become for him.

Across the series, Felix and his best friend Zelda are captured and taken towards a concentration camp, unless they can escape. Later, the story moves to 1946, with the war over and Europe in ruins, as fourteen-year-old Felix dreams of finding happiness elsewhere and is offered the chance to go to Australia. The collection also returns to the aftermath of the Nazis taking his parents and killing his best friend, and to a time when the war has officially ended but the streets remain a battleground, with Felix in hiding and left holding a baby.

Included titles

• Once
• Then
• Now
• After
• Maybe
• Soon
• Always

Key details

• Seven-book collection by Morris Gleitzman
• Follows Felix across six books, beginning with Once
• Set during and after the Nazi occupation of Poland in the Second World War
• Includes stories set in 1942 and 1946

Synopses

Once

Felix has lived in an orphanage for three years and eight months when men in armbands arrive to burn the books. He goes on the run to search for his parents and learns that Poland in 1942 is not a safe place for Jewish boys.

Then

During the Nazi occupation of Poland in the Second World War, Felix and his best friend Zelda are captured. They are on the way to a concentration camp, unless they can find a way to escape.

Now

Sometimes facing the past is the bravest act of all. A narrator reflects on learning about their grandfather Felix’s frightening childhood, discovering what the Nazis did to Zelda, and understanding why Felix does the things he does.

After

Felix describes what happened after the Nazis took his parents and after they killed his best friend. After they ruined his thirteenth birthday, he becomes determined to reach the forest and join forces with Gabriek and Yuli.

Maybe

It’s 1946 and the war is over, with Europe in ruins. Fourteen-year-old Felix dreams of finding happiness elsewhere, and when he is offered the chance to go to Australia, he takes it.

Soon

The war has officially ended, but the streets are still a battleground for food, shelter and protection. Felix is in hiding to stay safe, but he has been left holding a baby.

Always

Fifteen years after readers were first introduced to Felix in Once, this book looks back across six books. Felix has survived many unforgettable and emotional journeys.