Morris Gleitzman Collection 6 Books Set (Once, Then, Now, After, Soon, Maybe) Paperback – 1 Jan. 2017

While waiting in a cafe in Friends' House Euston for a business appointment, I came across one of Morris Gleiztman's books on Felix, a ten year old boy in war torn, Nazi invaded Poland. What caught my eye was the reference to Richmal Crompton's William books. I loved how Felix was reading a William book while hiding from the Nazis in the midst of a war. Unfortunately, my appointment slot arrived and as I didn't have money to buy the book, I reluctantly put it aside thinking that I would return to it. Weeks later, I searched through the children's section at Waterstones looking for it. I couldn't remember the name of the book or the author. All I remembered was that the book was about a little jewish boy during the invasion of Poland by the Nazis. With this knowledge, I asked for books set during the time of the Nazis. I was shown many wonderful books but none of them were the one I was after and then nearly two years later, I decided to google 'children's books that mention other children's writers' and I came across an article in the guardian that mentioned Morris Gleitzman's love of Richmal Crompton. Excitedly, I ordered the first of the books. From the first page until the end, I was hooked. The books are about a ten year old boy called Felix. Felix loves the 'Just William' books and prays to Richmal Crompton to save him from the Nazis. Along the way, he meets Zelda, a little girl orphaned by war. On the run together, the series is about the horrors of war and survival. It is as uninhibited as it is gripping. Being the mother of a ten year old, I have to say that while Felix may be ten, it is not for ten year olds. I would say that it is for age twelve and above. And as I am way above the age of twelve, I would say there is no upward limit. Long live Felix and long live William.

Good value

well written stories of sadder times.

My daughter really enjoyed reading. I started to read myself.

Good read.

My 10 year old grandson loves this author.This gift was very well recieved, . Will keep him occupied for a long time.5*

Not only is this an excellent introduction to the Holocaust for children, it also happens to be the first book that my daughter wanted me to read with her (and read herself) coming late to reading in English as this is her second language. Her teacher was reading it to her class and my daughter wanted me to buy a copy so that I could read it myself and then re-read it with her. Half-way through I decided to buy the whole set. We have read 2 so far when I thought we should have a break and after more than half a year, my daughter is now asking that we read book 3.I hope these books become children's classics.Excellent, great books!

My pre teen boys are getting difficult to choose books for, but they devoured this set and actually talked about them with friends!!