Morris Gleitzman: Books, Once Series, Biography & FAQs

Most readers meet Felix Salinger when they’re about his age — ten years old, hiding in a Catholic orphanage in Nazi-occupied Poland. That’s the opening of Once, the book that made Morris Gleitzman a household name in children’s literature.

Born: 9 January 1953, London, UK ·
Nationality: Australian ·
Known for: Young adult and children’s fiction ·
Notable series: Once series (2005–2021) ·
Australian Children’s Laureate: 2018–2019 ·
Awards: Multiple, including CBCA Book of the Year honours

Eight key facts about Gleitzman, one pattern: his career spans nearly four decades and centres on the Once series, but his early books like Misery Guts remain staples in school libraries.

What is Morris Gleitzman’s most famous book?

• Once (first published 2005) is widely considered his most recognised title (Wikipedia).
• It introduces Felix Salinger, a ten-year-old Jewish boy in Nazi-occupied Poland (LitCharts).
• The novel earned a Sydney Taylor Honor Award, a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selection, and an USBBY Outstanding International Book designation (LitCharts).

Overview of Once

• Set in 1942 Poland, Felix escapes a Catholic orphanage believing his parents are alive (Cereal Readers (book series database)).
• The story centres on a “wonderful friendship” between Felix and another young survivor (Morris Gleitzman official site).

Recognition and awards

• Once was translated into German as Einmal and nominated for the 2010 Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis (Wikipedia).
• The German edition won the 2011 Katholischer Kinder- und Jugendbuchpreis (Wikipedia).

The implication: Once is not just a single hit — it’s the entry point to a seven-book narrative that has earned institutional recognition on three continents.

Is the book “Once” a true story?

• Once is historical fiction, not a true story (LitCharts).
• The Holocaust setting is based on real events, but the character Felix Salinger is entirely fictional (Morris Gleitzman official site).

Fictional vs real elements

• Nazi-occupied Poland, ghettos, and orphanages are historically grounded.
• Felix’s specific encounters — hiding, escaping, forming friendships — are invented.

Historical accuracy in Once

• Gleitzman consulted Holocaust survivors and historians to ensure authentic background details (LitCharts).
• The timeline aligns with events like the Nazi occupation of Poland (1939–1945).

The pattern: Gleitzman uses a child’s perspective to make the Holocaust imaginable, but every character is a construct — which is why the book is labelled “historical fiction” on library catalogues.

What inspired Morris Gleitzman to write Once?

• Gleitzman wanted to write about the Holocaust for young readers in a way that emphasised hope and humanity (LitCharts).
• He was reportedly moved by the power of storytelling to transmit difficult history (Saint Patrick’s NSW LibGuides (school library resource)).

Author’s personal motivation

• Gleitzman has said in interviews: “I wanted to show that in the darkest times, there can be kindness and hope” (LitCharts).

Writing process

• He wrote Once after years of creating humorous children’s books like Misery Guts, marking a deliberate shift toward more serious themes.
• The first‑person, child‑voice narrative was chosen to make the story accessible without being graphic.

The pattern: Gleitzman chose to write about the Holocaust not because of personal family history, but because he believed young readers deserved a narrative that balanced horror with decency.

What is Now by Morris Gleitzman about?

• Now (2010) follows Felix as an old man living in Australia, reflecting on his wartime experiences (LitCharts).
• The story jumps to the modern day and explores intergenerational memory.

Plot summary of Now

• Felix, now a grandfather, lives a peaceful life but is haunted by the past.
• He shares his story with his granddaughter, passing on the lessons of survival.

Role in the Once series

• Now is the third book, after Then (2008).
• It bridges the WWII narratives of the first two books with contemporary themes of trauma and healing.

The implication: Now is the pivot where Gleitzman shows that the Holocaust’s impact doesn’t end in 1945 — it shapes lives for decades, especially for survivors who became parents and grandparents.

What is the Morris Gleitzman Once series?

• The series currently consists of seven books: Once, Then, Now, After, Soon, Maybe, and Always (LitCharts).
• Some listings include a combined Once & Then volume, bringing the total to eight (Goodreads).

Series chronology and themes

• Once (2005): Felix, 10, escapes an orphanage in 1942 Poland. Themes: hope, courage.
• Then (2008): Felix and younger friend Zelda survive the war. Themes: friendship, survival.
• Now (2010): Elderly Felix in Australia. Themes: memory, healing.
• After (2012): Post‑war Poland. Themes: rebuilding, trauma.
• Soon (2015): Felix helps a young boy in 1945. Themes: responsibility.
• Maybe (2017/2021): Felix as a grandfather. Themes: legacy, closure.
• Always (2021): Final volume, concluding Felix’s story (LitCharts).

Reading order

• Publishing order is the correct reading order: Once → Then → Now → After → Soon → Maybe → Always (Cereal Readers).

The trade‑off: readers who start with the first three books get the core arc, but the later titles add depth to Felix’s psychological journey. Skipping any book would miss how Gleitzman gradually ages his protagonist.

Timeline

Key milestones in Gleitzman’s career and the Once series — one pattern: the books’ publication dates mirror Felix’s aging, creating a real‑time reading experience for his original audience.

Quotes

“I wanted to show that in the darkest times, there can be kindness and hope.”

— Morris Gleitzman, as reported by LitCharts

“Once is told through the innocent eyes of 10‑year‑old Felix.”

— BBC Bitesize (educational resource), via LitCharts

The series proves that a child’s perspective can carry the weight of history without overwhelming young readers. For parents wondering whether their middle‑schooler is ready for the Holocaust, the Once series offers a measured entry point — but it must be framed as fiction, not testimony. For educators, the choice is clear: pair the books with primary sources, or risk blurring the line between narrative comfort and historical fact.

Frequently asked questions