Reviews

Once by Morris Gleitzman

_jmw1995's review against another edition

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dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

rosiefrancais's review against another edition

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4.0

The immediate comparison that came to mind when I found out I had to read this book for university was The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (a book I absolutely despise for a number of reasons, none of which I'll go in to here.)

Thankfully, this was much better than that book. I think it benefited from being shorter, and from the author not forcing an end to the story after so few pages. While I was a little incredulous that a 150 page book for 10 year olds had something of a cliffhanger ending, I did find myself excited to read the rest of the series, which is probably a good sign. The narrator was very likable, and the structure of the book made it easy to read in just under an hour.

I don't know that I'd recommend this to every child, but I do think it's a very good book about something it's important to teach children about.

lisa_bee88's review against another edition

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5.0

Flawless. I can't stop crying. I'm not sure I can bring myself to read the rest of the series. Morris Gleitzman was created such real, cruel characters. It's hard to believe the human race does these things to each other, and incredibly hard to see it through a child's eyes.

dtd's review against another edition

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4.0

Quick, simple read about the horrors of the Nazis.

lucyjane101's review against another edition

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5.0

I remember reading this book when I was young and wanted to read it again no, being older and understanding more about those horrific times. Wow. I forgot how heartbreaking this book was. I’ll definitely be getting the rest of the series!

benljones2's review against another edition

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emotional informative fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

zoeyjoyful's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow! I haven't read a Morris Gleitzmen book since the days of Bumface and 2 Weeks with the Queen. This book blew me away!

Once is written from the point of view of a young Polish Jew named Felix. He was abandoned to an orphanage at the beginning of WW2, but managed to escape to go in search of his parents. When he runs away he discovers that Adolf Hitler is not the man people thought he was, and that the Nazis are doing far worse things than just burning books.

Reading a WW2 story from the POV of a Jew is harrowing enough, but the fact that the narrator is also one ten years old is heartbreaking. Gleitzmen has done an incredible job (as always) at writing from the mind of a child, and watching as Felix pieces together the nightmarish reality is heart-rending.

I look forward to searching out the rest of the series, because I certainly can't stop where Once left off.

beccareads1997's review against another edition

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5.0

Short but heartbreaking. The naivety, the innocent, the revelations. Its harrowing but sweet all at the same time.

popswills's review against another edition

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emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5