Once Series by Morris Gleitzman 7 Books Collection Set-Young Adult - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
Once
Then
Now
After
Maybe
Soon
Always

Format: Paperback

Overview:
Discover the Once Series Seven-Book Collection by Morris Gleitzman, a compulsively readable bundle of historical fiction for middle-grade readers and beyond. This paperback set gathers Once, Then, Now, After, Maybe, Soon, and Always into one essential volume, tracing Felix’s courageous journey from wartime Poland to a tentative future elsewhere. Across seven volumes, the stories blend immediacy with reflective depth, balancing harsh history with moments of humor and humanity. Readers will meet a resourceful, resilient protagonist whose choices illuminate the costs and glimmers of hope during society’s darkest hours and its hard-won recoveries.

What This Collection Covers:
Across seven volumes, the collection guides readers through Felix’s evolving world—from immediate danger in wartime Poland to the long aftermath of conflict. The themes include resilience, moral courage, friendship, memory, and the enduring search for belonging in shattered landscapes. Gleitzman interweaves careful historical detail with intimate character moments, inviting empathy while confronting hard truths about war and its consequences. The stories balance stark realism with humane, hopeful insight, offering opportunities for discussion in classrooms and family reading alike. The arc emphasizes how small acts of kindness, loyalty, and courage can alter the course of a life, and how memory shapes identity long after the smoke clears. This set provides a cohesive reading journey—ideal for readers who crave thoughtful, character-driven fiction grounded in history, with a voice that remains accessible and deeply engaging.

Book-by-Book Guide:
Once
Once follows Felix, a young boy living in an orphanage, whose quiet routine is disrupted when the men in armbands arrive and threaten to burn the books. Forced to flee, Felix faces a war-torn Poland where danger lurks at every corner and loyalty is tested. The story blends stark history with intimate moments of hope, humor, and hard choices that define a child’s resilience in impossible times. The narrative invites readers to consider courage in the face of control and the lengths one will go to protect family and truth.

Then
In Then, during the Nazi occupation of Poland, Felix and his best friend Zelda are captured and bound for a terrifying destination. Unless they can outwit their guards, they face the grim reality of a concentration camp. The novel centers on courage under pressure, the power of friendship, and the small acts of defiance that keep humanity alive when the world seems to be collapsing. Gleitzman’s portrayal makes history intimate and immediate, reminding readers that bravery often wears a quiet, steadfast countenance.

Now
Now shifts the action forward to 1946, when Europe lies in ruins and Felix, now older, dreams of happiness beyond the devastation. Offered a chance to start anew in Australia, he seizes the opportunity, stepping into a fresh future while longing for home. The narrative tracks the aftermath of war, the pull of new beginnings, and the enduring pull of memory. It invites reflection on how identity is formed in the wake of upheaval and how hope can be carried across oceans and borders.

After
After traces Felix’s continuing struggle with loss and fear after the war. The Nazis took his parents; anger and grief shape his decisions as he searches for safety. On a pivotal journey, he seeks shelter in new alliances, his resolve hardened but his empathy intact, demonstrating how a young person can carry both sorrow and hope forward into the next chapter.

Maybe
Maybe extends Felix’s journey into deeper moral terrain, weighing survival against doing what’s right. He faces choices that test his conscience, challenging him to balance self-preservation with care for others. The narrative explores how memories of the past steer present actions and how acts of courage, no matter how small, shape a future that seems uncertain but possible.

Soon
Soon keeps the momentum going as Felix encounters new landscapes, people, and pressures. With the war behind him and peril still looming, he learns to rely on courage, wit, and the steadfast bonds he forms. The book invites readers to reflect on resilience, identity, and what it means to belong when belonging feels fragile.

Always
Always closes the set with a mature, hopeful perspective on Felix’s long road from child to young adult. The title contemplates memory, responsibility, and the quiet forms of love that endure through hardship. Readers are left with a sense of closure that honors memory while inviting continued empathy and curiosity about the world Felix inhabits.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This collection is ideal for middle-grade readers and older who enjoy historical fiction with real emotional pull, as well as parents, teachers, and book clubs exploring resilience, ethics, and memory. It makes a thoughtful gift for fans of humane, character-driven stories and a strong addition to classroom libraries seeking accessible but meaningful history through narrative. Perfect for family reading time, guided discussions, and expanding a home library with seven complete journeys in one affordable paperback set.

Key Benefits:

• Seven-book collection provides a complete reading journey from start to finish
• Accessible, character-driven historical fiction suitable for classroom use
• Engaging gift set for readers new to Gleitzman or longtime fans
• Encourages empathy, resilience, and ethical reflection through compelling storytelling
• Durable paperback edition fits home, school, and travel needs
• Supports reading comprehension and discussion about memory and history

About the Author:
Morris Gleitzman is an Australian author renowned for children’s and young adult fiction, with the Once series among his most acclaimed works. His writing blends historical realism with accessible, engaging storytelling, inviting young readers to explore difficult subjects with honesty and heart. Gleitzman’s books are celebrated for their distinct voice, memorable characters, and thoughtful treatment of courage, identity, and belonging in challenging times. This collection showcases his gift for turning heavy history into empathetic, memorable tales that resonate across generations.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
Owning the complete Once series offers outstanding value and a cohesive reading experience. The seven paperback volumes form a seamless journey that is perfect for gifting, school libraries, or family reading alike. The stories combine history with humanity in a way that invites discussion and reflection, making this set a durable addition to any reader’s shelf. It is ideal for readers seeking meaningful fiction with emotional depth and accessible language, providing both education and enduring entertainment.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.