About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle schooler is ready to explore how the past shapes our future and how heroism evolves as we age. As the final chapter in the acclaimed Felix series, Always finds the protagonist as an elderly man in Australia, still guided by the stories and the moral compass he forged during the Holocaust. It is a powerful choice for children showing an interest in historical justice or those grappling with how to stand up for what is right in a modern world. While it deals with heavy themes of survival and the lingering effects of war, it is ultimately a masterclass in empathy and human resilience. Parents can use this book to bridge the gap between historical atrocities and the importance of active kindness today. It is best suited for mature readers aged 11 to 15 who can handle some tense scenes and emotional weight.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The book contains scenes of modern day intimidation and violence by a local gang, including a tense sequence where a home is attacked. There are visceral descriptions of Felix's physical fragility due to age, contrasted with the brutal memories of the Holocaust, including the deaths of friends and family during the war. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the persistence of hate groups and neo-Nazi ideologies in the modern world. Be ready to explain the historical context of the Holocaust and why Felix’s past gives him a unique perspective on the dangers of modern hate groups. There may also be a need to discuss the reality of aging and the death of a beloved, long running character.
Ideal Reader
A 12 or 13 year old who has followed Felix's journey from the first book, 'Once', and is looking for a meaningful conclusion to a story about how one person can change the world through kindness.
Parent Prep
It is highly recommended to have read the previous books in the series (Once, Then, Now, After, Soon, Maybe) to provide context for Felix's internal world. A child asking, "Why do groups like neo-Nazis still exist today?" or "Why does the hate Felix faced in the past still happen now?"
Age Experience
Younger readers (11) will focus on the immediate danger Josh and Felix face, while older readers (14 to 15) will appreciate the complex layers of trauma, memory, and the cycle of history.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many Holocaust stories that end at liberation, this book uniquely explores the lifelong impact of survival and the way an elderly person can still be a hero.
Read plot summary
Felix, now eighty years old and living in Australia, finds himself pulled into a final conflict when he befriends a young boy named Josh. As Josh faces threats from a violent local gang with neo-Nazi ideologies, Felix must draw on his past experiences surviving the Holocaust to protect his new friend. The narrative toggles between the present danger and Felix's reflections on his life, legacy, and the people he lost.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Felix says that stories can save lives. How does his storytelling help Josh in the present day?
2
Compare Felix's bravery as a child in Poland to his bravery as an eighty year old man. How has his definition of courage changed?
3
Why was it important for Felix to stand up to the gang instead of just calling the police and staying out of it?
4
The book is titled 'Always'. After finishing the story, what things do you think Felix believes last 'always'?
