The Once Series by Morris Gleitzman 6 Books Collection Set - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
Once
Then
Now
After
Soon
Haunting

Format: Paperback

Overview:
Dive into Morris Gleitzman’s The Once Series in this six-book collection, a landmark sequence of wartime fiction told with spare, intimate clarity. Beginning with Once, the story follows a young Jewish boy in Nazi-occupied Poland who is determined to escape an orphanage to reach his parents and protect his family from the encroaching danger. The series continues through Then, Now, After, Soon, and Haunting, weaving humor, heartbreak, and hard-won courage into a narrative arc that spans the darkest days of World War II and the fragile days of its aftermath. This paperback set brings together the complete journey in a single, accessible package—perfect for readers stepping into historical fiction and for families and classrooms seeking powerful, thought-provoking storytelling. Gleitzman’s direct, humane voice invites empathy without sensationalism, making these books a lasting testament to resilience, solidarity, and hope in the face of horrific prejudice and violence.

What This Collection Covers:
Across six novels, the collection traces Felix’s astonishing, morally complex journey from childhood innocence to adult responsibility amid the chaos of war. The books blend suspense with tender moments of friendship and loyalty, using a child’s perspective to illuminate the moral choices that shape history. Readers encounter themes of courage, mercy, and the difficult realities of survival under oppression, alongside sly humor and surprising acts of kindness that prove humanity’s capacity to endure. The progression mirrors a world in upheaval—occupied towns, dangerous journeys, and the slow, uncertain return to a sense of normalcy after victory and loss. This set is ideal for readers who crave accessible, emotionally honest historical fiction and for educators seeking material that sparks meaningful discussion about memory, ethics, and resilience.

Book-by-Book Guide:
Once
In the opening novel, Felix—a resourceful, hopeful child—lives through the early, terrifying days of Nazi-occupied Poland. His mission is as clear as it is dangerous: to find his family, to protect his fellow captives, and to preserve his own humanity under an increasingly dehumanizing regime. Gleitzman’s brisk sentences carry weight, combining moments of quiet tenderness with stark peril. The book introduces Felix’s voice—wry, direct, and stubbornly loyal—setting the tone for a series that refuses to simplify war. It’s a compact, emotionally honest initiation into a world where small acts of compassion matter more than grand victories.

Then
Felix’s journey continues as the pressure of war tightens around him and Zelda, his steadfast ally, as they navigate capture and peril on the way to a concentration camp. The narrative shifts toward moral dilemmas and explores the costs of resistance, even when the odds seem insurmountable. Gleitzman balances tension with moments of humor and fragility, inviting readers to consider what it means to protect others at great personal risk. The book deepens the sense of a world where choice matters, and where even a child’s decision can alter the course of lives intertwined with history.

Now
Now delves into the darker, more reflective chapters of Felix’s experience during the war. The tone becomes more existential as the stakes rise and the consequences of every action become clearer. Yet the book retains Gleitzman’s characteristic warmth and humanity, showing how courage can coexist with fear and how alliances emerge in unlikely places. It’s a pivot point that invites readers to grapple with moral complexity while rooting for Felix’s stubborn persistence and his insistence on protecting those who cannot protect themselves.

After
The narrative continues to test Felix’s loyalties as he faces heartbreaking losses, difficult choices, and the ongoing struggle to survive in a landscape where violence and survival blur into one another. The stakes remain personal—family, friends, and the vulnerable who depend on the courage of a few to endure. The writing stays accessible, with moments of levity that illuminate resilience, even as the tension remains high. This installment broadens the scope to include the lengths to which a determined child will go to safeguard others and find a glimmer of safety amid devastation.

Soon
Soon follows the war’s end and the uneasy, unsettled streets of a liberated yet fragile world. Felix grapples with new realities—the responsibilities of adulthood, the ache of lost innocence, and the ongoing work of rebuilding life after atrocity. The prose remains direct and empathetic, guiding readers through a landscape where hope and memory coexist. This volume crystallizes the series’ central question: what does it mean to belong, to forgive, and to protect when the past refuses to recede? It’s a moving culmination that honors the resilience of those who endured and the courage required to move forward.

Haunting
In the final stretch, the collection closes with a haunting meditation on memory, consequence, and the lingering shadows of war. Felix’s world is not easily set to rights, but his persistence—born of love, loyalty, and an unbreakable sense of right—offers readers a powerful testament to the human capacity to endure. Gleitzman’s spare, precise style continues to illuminate moral complexity without gloss, inviting readers to reflect on what they would do in the face of unimaginable cruelty. The book resonates as a poignant, hopeful coda to a deeply affecting series.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This six-book collection is ideal for middle-grade and young adult readers who crave thoughtful historical fiction with accessible language and emotional honesty. It suits independent readers, classroom libraries, and family reading alike, providing a cohesive, immersive introduction to the Second World War through the lens of a courageous child. It’s a strong choice for book clubs focused on resilience, ethics, and empathy, as well as for gift buyers seeking a complete, purposeful series that can be read aloud or enjoyed individually. Fans of character-driven stories and those seeking a meaningful, age-appropriate exploration of history will find this set especially compelling.

Key Benefits:

• Complete six-book collection for a cohesive reading experience
• Accessible paperback edition with durable design for frequent reading
• Compelling historical fiction that blends courage, humor, and heartbreak
• Ideal for classroom discussions, family reading, and gift giving
• Delivers a continuous narrative arc from childhood to early adulthood
• Promotes empathy, ethical reflection, and critical thinking about history

About the Author:
Morris Gleitzman is an Australian writer renowned for producing influential children’s and young adult fiction that tackles challenging historical topics with clarity and heart. The Once Series, among his best-known works, is celebrated for its direct, accessible narration and its ability to engage younger readers with serious themes. Gleitzman’s distinctive voice combines dry humor, moral enquiry, and a compassionate focus on characters who demonstrate resilience and integrity in the face of atrocity. His work invites readers to examine difficult events from intimate, human perspectives, making historical fiction both approachable and emotionally impactful.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
Owning the complete Once Series in one attractive paperback collection offers lasting value for readers who wish to revisit the journey with Felix and Zelda or introduce new readers to Gleitzman’s compassionate, thought-provoking storytelling. The seamless progression—from peril and moral choice to memory and recovery—provides a rich, layered reading experience suitable for personal reading, guided discussions, or classroom use. This set is a meaningful gift for readers of historical fiction, families building a shared library, or teachers seeking a powerful, age-appropriate entry point into World War II literature that emphasizes humanity, courage, and hope.

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.