Once there was an outstanding book with twists and turns
By: Morris Gleitzman
Once by Morris Gleitzman, set in WWII in Poland where the Nazis are invading Poland. Felix has been left in an orphanage by his parents who he thinks are still alive and he is trying to find them. This book is very unpredictable and there are lots of examples of sympathy and empathy shown by the characters. The intended audience would be people from the age of 12 or more can read this book as it is quite violent, and it is also for Morris Gleitzman fans. I enjoyed this book.
The book Once is very unpredictable in many ways as Felix thinks he is going on his own to find his parents but he meets a little girl on the way who is going to help. On page 52 Felix sees Zelda on the ground after her house goes on fire. Felix checks if she is okay and rolls her over and he notices that she only has a bruise on her head and knows she is still alive. Felix wonders โWhat sort of people would kill a little kid for the sake of some books?โ On page 58 Zelda introduces herself to Felix and now she is going on the journey with him. Felix doesnโt want to tell Zelda that her parents died so he tells her parents have gone on an airplane and he must lie so she doesnโt cry. Felix tells a story about himself to Zelda without saying his name and that makes her calm down. He talks about him in the orphanage and how he finds his parents. As you can see, we thought Felix would go on his own to find his parents but now we see he has gone and helped this girl and become her guardian and that is a big turn of events. Felix was kind enough to take care of her even during the war. The book Once has many turns of events such as him taking Zelda on an exciting journey with him. The book Once is unpredictable and has lots of turns of events and foreseeable.
In the book Once there are lots of examples of the characters showing sympathy and empathy. When Felix takes care of Zelda, Barney risks his life for Felix and a few other children and Felix gives his precious paper to an old lady so she can use it as toilet paper. On page 58 Felix gives most of his bread and water to Zelda and risks his life just to help her, he feels bad that her parents are dead so he tries to help her and take her with him on a journey. On page 79 Barney a person who helps Nazis takes care of Felix and many others and if the Nazis find out he will die. Barney knows that many of them are scared so he comforts all of them and spends all his money on them. When Felix is on the Nazi train to the death camp there is this old lady who needs toilet paper so Felix gives his special notes from his parents and gives it to her. As you can see Felix helps in many scenarios for example putting himself in Zelda's shoes by understanding her parents died and is now helping her by taking care of her and giving her the last piece of his food. Barney is also very kind as he died just to save people, he doesnโt even know which is kind. He even kept Jewish people safe even if he was a Nazi. Felix also gave his special papers about his parents whom he still canโt find and he gave his papers as toilet papers. The book Once has lots of examples of sympathy and empathy, especially by Felix who gives away his special papers and takes care of a little girl and gives his last piece of food and Barney who sacrificed his life for 6 kids even though he already had a tough life.
I recommend this book to Morris Gleitzman fans and anyone over 12 years old. The way Morris Gleitzman made it about WWII made it even more interesting. Once is an Outstanding, Fantastic and Extraordinary book and I give it a 10/10.