About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is ready to bridge the gap between historical tragedy and contemporary courage. It is an ideal choice for middle schoolers grappling with the idea that the past is never truly gone, but rather lives on through the people we love. This story follows young Zelda as she helps her grandfather, Felix, navigate a terrifying Australian bushfire, while Felix confronts traumatic memories of his childhood as a Holocaust survivor in Nazi occupied Poland. It is a profound meditation on how families carry legacies of pain and resilience, offering a pathway for parents to discuss survival, aging, and the enduring power of hope. While the subject matter is intense, the deep bond between grandfather and granddaughter provides a safe emotional anchor for young readers.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The depiction of the bushfire is visceral and intense, including the threat of being burned alive and the loss of property. Felix's memories of the Holocaust, while less graphic than earlier books in the series, involve references to the deaths of children and the cruelty of the Nazis. The emotional toll on Felix, including a moment of psychological collapse, may be distressing for younger readers. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the long term effects of trauma (PTSD) and how past experiences can be triggered by present events. Be ready to explain the historical context of the Holocaust for those who haven't read the previous books, specifically the fate of Felix's family and friends.
Ideal Reader
A 10 to 14 year old who is interested in history but wants to see how it connects to the present, or a child who shares a very close bond with an elderly relative.
Parent Prep
It is highly recommended to read the previous books (Once, Then, After) to understand the weight of Felix's history, though the book functions as a standalone. A child witnessing their strong, capable grandparent become vulnerable and frightened by a mental or physical crisis.
Age Experience
Younger readers will focus on the immediate peril of the fire. Older readers will better grasp the parallels between the 'fire' of the Holocaust and the literal fire of the present.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many Holocaust stories that end in 1945, this book shows the lifelong journey of a survivor and how their story is passed down to the next generation.
Read plot summary
Now is the concluding volume of Morris Gleitzman's series beginning with Once. Set in modern day Australia, it follows Zelda, named after her grandfather Felix's childhood friend. As a devastating bushfire approaches their home, Felix, now an elderly man, struggles with the physical danger of the fire and the psychological resurfacing of his past trauma in Poland. Zelda acts as his protector and witness as they seek safety.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Why does Felix find the bushfire so much harder to deal with than other people might?
2
Zelda says that 'everyone deserves to have a person who is on their side.' How does she show this to her grandfather throughout the story?
3
How does having the name 'Zelda' connect the protagonist to her grandfather's past? Does it feel like a gift or a burden to her?
4
Felix keeps things from his past in a bunker. Why do you think he chose to keep those specific items, and why hide them away?
5
In what ways does Zelda grow up during the course of the fire?
