“Once” series by Morris Gleitzman

Once, Then, Now and After by Morris Gleitzman

A children’s holocaust story.   Not something that everyone could write about,  yet the author of the funny boy books titled Bumface and Toad Away has told Felix’s story in a compassionately readable and well informed way.

Felix is a Jewish boy in Poland during WWII, his parents have done their best to keep him safe but as circumstances change he ends up fending for himself in a hostile world.  He rescues Zelda, a younger girl and their adventure takes realistic turns for the worse with tiny bits of hope along the way.

Felix’s life story is told over the four books.  He is a boy to be admired as his terrible war life is endured.  Morris Gleitzman has presented a story we can read, and not forget. Somehow filled with hope in a hopeless time.

Recommended to readers Year 6, 11+.  Anyone who would have read The Diary of Anne Frank will be absorbed in this series.

The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Simon Mawer

The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Simon Mawer

also know as Trapeze

A pretty girl becomes a spy and is quite good at it, maybe too much for her own good.  Set in England and occupied France during WWII.  Mariam speaks french and the Special Operations Unit need her.  She shows ability in training and parachutes into rural France.   Mariam has a personal connection to a frenchman who would be more useful out of France.

A well told story of the brave women who put their own lives at risk to keep hope alive  during the worst of times.

3 1/2 stars recommended to readers 15+.