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Children have limited power to shape their own lives, but when they can experiment with possibilities through books, their optimism can be recharged and kept alive." A natural disaster strikes Felix's home, forcing both grandfather and granddaughter into confronting their demons, their fears and some home truths. Their relationship grows even more, as Zelda tries to help Felix come to terms with what he lost in the 1940s. It's not quite as heart-wrenching as Then, though I did tear up a few times as Felix relived his nightmare of a past. I decided to read this book because it popped up on my recommended list and the blurb was interesting so I thought I should give it a go. This book is written in the view of a young boy named Felix. The Nazi's killed his parents during World War II, and this book is all about how he copes without his parents. Felix lives with his best friend; Gabriek (also his guardian) in a secret little hideaway that no one can know about. One of my favourite quotes from this book was “He can do it any time he wants,' says Zelda, hugging me from the other side. 'Any time he sees a Nazi, he can just do a poo.”I loved this quote because it adds a little humour to this very serious, emotional book. Something new I learnt from this book is that your life is your OWN life and nobody can take over no matter what happens, everything has its own happy ending. It's 1946. The war is over and Europe lies in ruins. Fourteen year old Felix dreams of finding happiness elsewhere. When he's offered the chance to go to Australia, he seizes the opportunity. So does someone very dear to him, even though she wasn't actually invited. Felix and Anya have high hopes for a new life in Australia, but before they can accept the love and friendship of their new land they must confront the murderous urge for revenge that still hangs over them. The story is also brilliant for the secondary characters Gleitzman peppers throughout. A few seem to be inspired by real heroes of WWII, like Janusz Korczak who was a Polish-Jewish doctor and children’s author that helped run an orphanage for Jewish children, and ended up perishing along with them when they were taken to a concentration camp. In Gletizman’s book there’s a friendly Jewish dentist, who hides children in his basement and tends to the teeth of Nazi soldiers.

Morris Gleitzman Collection 6 Books Set (Once, Then, Now Morris Gleitzman Collection 6 Books Set (Once, Then, Now

We know from a previous book where Felix is destined to end up, but that doesn't stop this being tense, upsetting and surprising. When we meet her, Zelda is staying with her grandfather while her doctor parents are overseas on a mission. She is struggling to fit in the small country town, and struggling even more with the weight of her name. She has heard stories about Zelda, her grandfather’s brave friend who died during the war… she has always felt like she will never live up to her grandfather’s memory of the dead girl, or be as heroic as young Zelda was. She said it was an unusual but interesting way to finish Felix’s story and she looked forward to reading it. I could see she was happy that there would be a third Felix book and I knew why. Three books makes a trilogy, and there have been many fine and famous trilogies throughout literary history. And she was probably hoping mine would be among them.

Morris Spills The Beans

Told with the perfect blend of humour and empathy, this book offers a unique perspective on the aftermath of the Holocaust and the long-lasting impact of trauma.

Now - Morris Gleitzman - Google Books Now - Morris Gleitzman - Google Books

We sit looking at each other and I can see Felix is having a really big struggle deciding what to do. NOW, I live to read the third book as Felix, in the present, trying to face his terrible past with his grand-daughter. Yes, it is,’ says one of the other girls. She points to the pest-removal girl. ‘Tonya needs medical attention. She’s swallowed her gum.’ Morris, Linda (12 February 2018). "Australia's new children's laureate Morris Gleitzman hopes to inspire children in dark, uncertain world". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 12 February 2018.

When Felix receives a sign (in the form of a whole carrot) he is sure it means his parents are returning for him. So he takes his beloved notebook, full of fanciful stories, and he leaves the convent to go in search of his parents.