Once
Once
Morris Gleitzman
Felix has been waiting for years for his parents to return and claim him from the orphanage. He knows he is unlike the other kids here. His parents put him here to protect him. But now that he has figured out that the Nazi's are evil librarians who burn books, he has to escape to warn his parents who are innocent Jewish booksellers. A master storyteller, Felix uses his skills first to survive bullies at the orphanages, but soon to make his way through the war torn countryside, comfort real orphans, and charm Nazi leaders through toothaches. Little by little he starts to understand that maybe he has been telling himself stories, too...
As is to be expected with any story that starts out in an orphanage and leads to a ghetto in World War Two, this is a heartbreaking story. What makes it fresh is the utter sweetness with which the main character tells it, and the unending hope he brings to those around him. Suitable for middle school and up, with as much violence as you should expect from a book depicting gut wrenching slaughter.