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Once

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Once

By: Morris Gleitzman
Narrated by: Morris Gleitzman
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About this listen

 Felix lives in a convent orphanage in Poland. He is convinced his parents are still alive and that they will one day come back to get him. When Nazi soldiers come to the orphanage Felix decides to escape and make his way home. The journey to find his parents is a long and difficult one, as Poland is occupied by the Nazis and a dangerous place for a Jewish boy. Felix manages to live and look after himself and another orphan, Zelda, with the help of a kind dentist, Barney, who is hiding and looking after a number of Jewish children. When the Nazis discover them, Barney makes the ultimate sacrifice for the children - electing to go with them on the train to the death camps, rather than taking the option of freedom offered by a Nazi soldier, one of his grateful patients.©2005 Creative Input Pty Ltd. By arrangement with Penguin Group (Australia). (P)2005 Bolinda Publishing Anthologies & Short Stories Fiction Historical Fiction Religious Fiction Short Story Solider
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Critic reviews

"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)

What listeners say about Once

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Profile Image for Vee

Didn't realise it was a children's book but still

A great read. Well developed the characters in what are unimaginable circumstances. Good book to teach children about a personal perspective of this period in history.

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Profile Image for Alex LoWe

Great storyline read with passion

I really loved this book. Great storyline and a real insight into history from a child's point of view. This audiobook is read with passion and clarity. Highly recommended.

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1 person found this helpful

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Profile Image for Char parry

amazing kids book

love the book it's a amazing kids book I recommend it for schools xx

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Profile Image for Sarah Hawke

good

its ok but
meh thats all buh bye mah kiwis!! @-@
live flappy in the wild for da kiwi alpha *^*

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Profile Image for MR AD ELLIOTT

More than 5 star

The story was phenomenal. The narators voice was calm and mellow and he went at just the right pace as well. Brilliant first experience of audible . Loved it.

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Profile Image for TR

Great story

I listened to this audiobook and then read the story to my class of 11 year-olds.
It is really well written and they were gripped. I like when an author reads their own story as it always feels more genuine and delivered as intended. The musical interludes between the chapters are unnecessary and I found them annoying. Other than that, I would highly recommend!

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Profile Image for Mrs Baxter

A moving, emotional tale.

The author has crafted this book extremely well, unrolling the answers to the readers' questions as they form in their minds, like dangling a large carrot in front of them. Easy to read level-wise, but definitely not easy to read. I would recommend to mature year 6 children(age 11) and above. An excellent listen.

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Profile Image for Dog lover

Once we read a book

Good story, catches the imagination, interesting. It was exciting and adventurous but sad. Be prepared.

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3 people found this helpful

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Profile Image for Daniel Lee Laurence Perry

Sad but really good at the same time .I loved it

I loved it

It is sad how to kids sometimes die but
Still really good.

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