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OnceMorris Gleitzman
Once
by Morris Gleitzman
Felix climbs out of a Polish orphanage to find his parents, telling himself stories to explain everything he sees on the road.
A story about children, moving and thoughtful in tone. We would put it with children of 11–13, and at a reading age of about 11 for reading alone.
Worth knowing before you buy
- Death in wartime
- Frightening scenes
- Separated from family
None of this makes it a bad book — often the opposite. It is here so you can decide whether it is right for your child now or in a year or two.
Part of a series
This is book 1 of the Once series, so there is more to read if it goes down well — which is worth a great deal with a reluctant reader.
If they like this, try these
Chosen by matching age, reading age, tone and subject — not by what is selling.
ThenMorris Gleitzman
Goodnight Mister TomMichelle Magorian
Listen to the MoonMichael Morpurgo
Private PeacefulMichael Morpurgo
Roll of Thunder, Hear My CryMildred D. Taylor
The Boy at the Top of the MountainJohn Boyne
Or let them write their own.
Nothing gets a child reading like a story they invented themselves. Your child plans the characters and the plot, and we write, illustrate and print it as a real book with their name on the cover as the author.
Find another book
Tell us the age, the reading age and what they like, and we will suggest a handful.