Now

The third book in Felix’s story finds Felix a retired doctor in Australia providing a home for his 11-year-old granddaughter. Zelda is named for Felix’s childhood friend who was his companion in hiding from the Nazis. Granddaughter Zelda is being bullied by older girls at her new school, but she is reluctant to confide in her grandfather. When disaster strikes, their shared danger and their love for each other bring grandfather and granddaughter even closer together.

Readers learn that Felix still has a caring nature, which he expressed through a successful career as a pediatric surgeon. He saved the lives of hundreds of children during his career. I just wish readers were told more about how Felix got from German-occupied Poland to show more caring for a grandchild. Who did he marry? How did he meet her? What kind of relationship does he have with his child? Originally this book was to have concluded a trilogy, but it seems that Felix had more to say and Gleitzman has obliged him. show less

This was a unique turn in the book series. In this book Felix is an old man with a granddaughter named Zelda. She is named after the young girl Felix tried to save and who was brutal murdered by the Nazis. In this book Felix lives in Australia. His granddaughter loves her grandfather but questions some of the things he does. She doesn’t understand that a part of him is still living in and dealing with a traumatic past. Like her grandfather’s past, Zelda has a bully problem. His pasts experiences and memories help them both. When a brush fire breaks out a lot is lost, while a lot is gained. I found two interesting things about this fire. One was that it was based on an actual fire that occurred in 2009 and the second was that at the show more time of this post Australia is going through another traumatic brush fire. This is the third book in this series. At one point the author had planned to make this the end of a trilogy. As we all know, when our characters are not finished telling their story they must be heard. Because of that, there are three more books in this series. Once again I will say that this is a must read series show less

This book was a big disappointment after 'Once' and 'Then'. Whilst the naive, innocent voice of ten year old Felix was beautiful, I found the similar voice of Zelda, 60 years later, absolutely irritating. Having been a primary school teacher for over 20 years, I thought her voice was an insult to all Grade 6 girls who are far more savvy and sophisticated than the girl portrayed in this book. Zelda sounds much, much younger especially concerning the relationship she has with her dog, Jumble. For example: 'I give Jumble another big hug. "Thanks," I say. He's the best sister I've ever had.' ((p. 78). Please, Mr Gleitzman get real!

Set in the current day, this is the final book in the series that began with ‘Once’, continued with ‘Then’ and is...Now. Felix is a grandfather. He has achieved much in his life and is widely admired.
He has mostly buried the painful memories of his childhood, but they resurface when his granddaughter Zelda comes to stay with him. Together they face huge bushfires, a catastrophic event, armed only with their gusto and love - an event that helps them achieve salvation from the past, but also brings the possibility of destruction.
Fantastic series to understand atrocities of war without being too harsh.

While I was more involved with the first two novels I think Gleitzman has done well to relate the past to the present in this novel. The destruction of the Victorian bushfires in 2009 was a relevant context in which to explore the conclusion of the story of Felix and Zelda. I am glad to have finally read it and definitely recommend it to others who have read Once and Then.

Felix is now a retired doctor and grandfather in the final book of this award-winning trilogy (Once, and Then, Honor Books in 2011 and 2012, respectively). The free verse is narrated by his granddaughter, Zelda, who deals with the absence of working parents, bullying, and raging fires in Australia.

I would recommend this book to the upper primary or adults. I absolutely fell in love with this so much yet it was very breath taking and upsetting.