Once - Hardcover

Gleitzman, Morris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0805090266 ISBN 13: 9780805090260

Publisher: Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, 2010

Synopsis

After living in an Catholic orphanage for nearly four years, Felix, a naïve Jewish boy, runs away, and embarking on a journey across Nazi-occupied Poland to find his parents without any comprehension of the war raging around him.

About this title

Review:

"Morris Gleitzman's children's stories are among the most widely read and loved." (AudioFile Magazine)

"Morris Gleitzman has discovered the difficult trick of changing reality so that poignancy and laughter are never far apart." (The Australian)

"Gleitzman's reading is flawless and as a result the three disc, three hour listening experience seems to last only minutes. Gleitzman's postscript places the story firmly among the actual events of Hitler's Holocaust adding another instance of where 'Morris Gleitzman has discovered the difficult trick of changing reality so the poignancy and laughter are never far apart.' The cover artwork is identical to that of the paperback edition and the listener is privileged by hearing the author read his own inner creative voice as no one else can. This short audiobook, complete and unabridged, is a must for every school library. Listeners will not baulk at the three discs and three-hour investment of their time. In return, they will be privy to a new genre of comic but no less insightful historical fiction." (Fiction Focus)

"Set during the Holocaust, this is the tale of Felix, a young Jewish child who runs away from a Catholic orphanage to try and find his parents. He meets other orphans who join his journey, and he is eventually forced onto a train heading for the concentration camps. Gleitzman spares no horror divulging details of Nazi brutality, and he conveys the truths in small bits through Felix’s present-tense viewpoint. Felix copes with the tragedy of his life through storytelling, making the audio most effective. Always seeking to see the bright side, Felix helps others escape through fantasy as well, weaving tales to make those around him feel better. Gleitzman's resonant voice, hushed tones, Australian accent, and impeccable pacing draw listeners to this compelling tale. A hauntingly hollow Jewish musical refrain separates chapters and enhances the mood." (Booklist)

Book Description:

A story of friendship, belonging and survival from the bestselling author of Girl Underground and Worm Story.

About this edition

• Publisher: Henry Holt Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0805090266
• ISBN 13: 9780805090260
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 163