Maybe

Once #6

by Morris Gleitzman

1946. Europe is in ruins. Millions dream of finding happiness somewhere else, and 14 year-old Felix is one of them. When he's offered a journey to somewhere far away, he seizes the opportunity. So does someone very dear to him, even though she wasn't actually invited. They have high hopes for their new land. But before Felix and Anya can embrace the love and friendship of their new world, they must confront the murderous urge for revenge still alive in the old. Felix knows he hasn't faced anything like this before. He may not survive, but he's hoping he will. Maybe.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, War, World War II, Historical, Holocaust

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Morris began his writing career as a screenwriter, and wrote his first children's novel in 1985. His brilliantly comic style has endeared him to children and adults alike, and he is now one of Australia's most successful authors, both internationally and at home. He was born in England in 1953 and emigrated to Australia in 1969 so he could escape from school and become a Very Famous Writer.

Before realising that dream, he had a colourful career as paperboy, bottle-shop shelf-stacker, department store Santa Claus, frozen chicken defroster, fashion-design assistant and sugar-mill employee. In between he managed to gain a degree in Professional Writing at the Canberra College of Advanced Education. Later he became sole writer for three award-winning and top-rating seasons with the TV comedy series The Norman Gunston Show.

Morris wrote a number of feature film and telemovie screenplays, including The Other Facts of Life and Second Childhood, both produced by The Australian Children's Television Foundation. The Other Facts of Life won an AWGIE Award for the Best Original Children's Film Script.

He also wrote live stage material for people such as Rolf Harris, Pamela Stephenson and the Governor General of Australia. Morris is well known to many people through his semi-autobiographical columns in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald magazine, Good Weekend, which he wrote for nine years.

But the majority of Morris' accolades are for his hugely popular children's books. One of his most successful books for young people is Two Weeks with the Queen, an international bestseller which was also adapted into a play by Mary Morris. The play had many successful seasons in Australia and was then produced at the National Theatre in London in 1995 directed by Alan Ayckbourn, and also in South Africa, Canada, Japan and the USA.

All his other books have been shortlisted for or have won numerous children's book prizes. These include The Other Facts of Life, Second Childhood, Misery Guts, Worry Warts, Puppy Fat, Blabber Mouth, Sticky Beak, Belly Flop, Water Wings, Bumface, Gift Of The Gab, Toad Rage, Wicked! and Deadly!, two six-part novels written in collaboration with Paul Jennings, Adults Only, Toad Heaven, Boy Overboard, Teacher's Pet, Toad Away, Girl Underground, Worm Story, Once, Aristotle's Nostril, Doubting Thomas, Give Peas A Chance, Then, Toad Surprise, Grace, Now, Too Small To Fail, and his latest book, Pizza Cake. Morris' children's books have been published in the UK, the USA, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia and Czechoslovakia, Russia and China.

Reviews

[Chris Horsefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe is a wonderful story it follows the story of Felix and his journey in Australia. Morris Gleitzman grabs the attention of both children and adults.
The was a nice series of books by Morris Gleitzman. We often forget to read fiction and forget FACTION NOVELS a literary genre which, broadly speaking, depicts real historical figures and actual events woven together with fictitious conversations and using the storytelling techniques of fiction.
Think of novels like Survivors Club by Michael Bornstein, or the Edelweiss Pirates novels by Mark A. Cooper or Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally.
They are all classic books and well worth a read, giving you entertainment reading but reflecting on real-life events. Plus we should NEVER FORGET, the holocaust.

I would recommend you read the series in order as I did, they are quite small and easy to read as they are for ages 9 and up.

[Sara Jesus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talvez o futuro de Felix possa ser feliz. Num novo país, com novos amigos e com uma companheira. Anya foi uma das personagens que mais evolui ao longo deste conjunto de livros. E parece que tornar-se-a mais que uma amiga para o jovem judeu.

Felix tornou-se num heroí. Salvou a vida de um jovem piloto. E com isso conseguiu uma viagem para uma vida melhor.

Quero acreditar que o escritor conseguirá completar o ciclo com "Always", e com isso sabermos finalmente como termina a jornada de Félix.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always know I am going to be in for a treat every time I pick up and read about Felix. Now treat may not be the best description because these books are about difficult times and hard issues, but I adore Felix and I can never get enough of him.

In Maybe, Felix's journey is taking him to Australia. But unfortunately, things don't go as they are planned. Felix, as well as Anya are experiencing true Australia after surviving a plane crash in the outback. It was so nice to hear all the Aussie slang and Felix's interpretation, one of my favourites was 'Tip Top'.

As with the last five books I listened to this on Audiobook, which in my opinion is the only way to experience these books. The reason why is because Morris Gleitzman narrates them himself and truly brings Felix to life.

I didn't even know this book had been written until I saw it at my local library, but I'm devastated to find out there will only be one more book released which will finish this amazing series. I may have to go back to the start and re-read them again.

[Sharon Albanese · Rating 2 out of 5]

My son and I have loved this series, following the life of Felix and the various characters who have come in and out of his life through his turbulent adventures. This book, however, was a big disappointment. The story lines are so implausible that it ended up just being annoying. How much bad luck can one character have? So many unfortunate events in one book, then at the end it all gets nicely wrapped up, again in an implausible way. Disappointing. Hopefully the next and final book in the series is better.

[Ghostly Writer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't understand why Gleitzman continues to add to this series. The first 3 or so were great stand-alone novels! This didn't make me feel connected with the characters or story at all. The add-on of these novels have ruined the series for me.

There will be no further review...

[Katy Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felix returns... a welcome addition to his post-war story.

I've loved this series from the start. Each time, I think "that's a good ending to his story" but Gleitzman continues to come out with more episodes, filling out the past (and present) story of Felix, the young boy forced to grow up in the war, but who keeps his optimist and hopeful persona through horrific circumstances.

Following on directly from the previous book (you'll need to be familiar to understand what's happened to him and his friends), Felix is trying to get himself and his trusted friends to a safe place, with one close to giving birth and a vicious killer after him...

This sets up the story for Felix to make his way to Australia, as we know he one day will. But what happens when he gets there is not what you might be expecting.

Reminiscent of Morpurgo (who also wrote about Australia in 'Alone on a Wide Wide Sea'), Gleitzman imbues Felix with the most sunny positive attitude and awful as his experiences are, he bounces back to cope and thrive.

If, like me, you've been through the war with Felix, you'll want to keep reading until the next book, which the author promises is coming and is the finale of Felix's story. It is so heartbreaking to know that just making it through the war was not a 'happy ever after' for survivors, that many refugees had a hard life still to come.

As I have done before, I accessed this as an audiobook, read by the author (a very congenial and lively speaker), who voices the wannabe doctor, now 14 as a somehow slightly innocent-sounding but now increasingly tough Felix. The format lends itself to audiobook, in short chapters that are 'told' to us, each starting with the 'maybe' of the title.

A highly recommended series, though reading in order is best. I've bought the entirety for a school library and look forward to sharing with my son when he's a little older.

One for ages 11 and above. And for school curriculums. Excellent historical series for teenagers to get a feel for the Holocaust, war and post-war lives, refugees and bigotry.

[Plano Nacional de Leitura 2027]

Numa Polónia devastada pela guerra, Felix, Anya e Gabriek confrontam-se com as vinganças e ocupação de terras; neste cenário, surge um conflito que os obriga, feridos, a fugir e procurar um hospital. Ali e perante a oferta de um futuro mais risonho na Austrália, o nosso protagonista aceita essa oportunidade na condição de não se separar dos seus amigos. Depois de uma viagem atribulada até Melbourne e quando tudo parecia estar a correr bem, surge um momento crítico em que Felix quase perde a vida. Final feliz e otimista quanto ao Futuro.
[Resumo da responsabilidade do Plano Nacional de Leitura 2027]
ISBN:
978-989-564-214-4
CDU:
087.5-053.6
821.111-31

Livro recomendado PNL2027 - 2021 1.º Sem. - Literatura - dos 12-14 anos - dos 15-18 anos - maiores 18 anos - Fluente

[Célia Gil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esta é a sexta das sete obras que o autor tem planeadas na família de livros do Felix, ressaltando que podem ser lidas sem ser pela ordem de escrita. E é certo que não senti qualquer dificuldade em compreender a história, em me familiarizar com as personagens, com as quais é muito fácil criar empatia. Apesar de ser considerado YA, é uma história dura, em que não senti que se poupassem pormenores violentos qb. de tão realistas. Muito bem construído, cada capítulo inicia com o título do livro “Talvez” e sempre de forma muito bem interligada.
A ação decorre na Polónia, após a Segunda Guerra, tendo por protagonista Felix, uma criança judia de catorze anos, sobrevivente de um campo de concentração, marcada pela guerra, que cresceu à força das experiências e perdas vivenciadas. Depois de todos os horrores vividos, esperam-no ainda mais provações, mas Felix é um jovem íntegro, que preza a amizade, os valores, a educação e o amor à medicina e que fazem dele um ser tão especial, que nos apaixona e enternece ao longo de toda a narrativa. Quando o convidam para ir para a Austrália, onde contava encontrar a paz há tanto perdida, não quer fazê-lo sem levar com ele Gabriek e Anya (que se encontra grávida). Mas nem tudo é como queremos, nem sempre os sonhos estão à mão de semear e é preciso lutar por eles. E mais não digo. Aconselho a leitura!

[Fiona R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story but Felix was more difficult to believe in this instalment. Despite what we've seen him endure, his actions and emotional responses didn't ring true for me throughout Maybe.
This one was a bit of a let down tbh :(

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

When last I left Felix and Gabriek in Soon, Book 5 of the Felix and Zelda family of books, I wrote that I hadn’t really gotten a sense of closure when I finished reading but perhaps that is as it should be. WWII was over and I was pretty sure it was the last in the Felix and Zelda series. Well, as you can see, I was wrong.

Maybe is the 6th and next to the last book in the series (how do I know there’s going to be a 7th? Because I read that all-important Dear Reader from Morris Gleitzman at the end of the book).

It’s 1946, and Felix is 14 years old. He and Gabriek are traveling back to Gabriek’s farm with a very pregnant Anya. What a surprise when they arrive and discover a group of men rebuilding the farmhouse the Nazis had burned it down in After (Book 4). A neighbor has claimed the land as his own, and soon Felix, Gabriek, and Anya are on the run again. Anti-Jewish hate is still strong, and Gabriek is considered a traitor for having hidden Felix during the war.

In an attempt to straighten things out, Felix, Gabriek, and Anya go to town, where they are soon surrounded by a large, angry mob, including Felix’s old enemy, the sadistic Cyryl (Then, Book 2). A fight breaks out and both Felix and Gabriek are seriously injured before it is broken up by an Australian air man and his female driver, a woman named Celeste. Unfortunately, the Australian is seriously shot, but with his partisan training as Dr. Zajek’s medical assistant (After, Book 4), Felix is able to save him before being knocked unconscious himself.

When he wakes up, Felix finds he is at an air base set up by the Australian Air Force along with Anya and a still unconscious and seriously injured Gabriek. Eventually, the three are able to leave hospital and stay with Celeste, who has her own war horror story. Felix is introduced to a man named Ken who wants to take him back to Australia as a war survivor to show Australians what they were fighting and dying for, and to help repopulate the country after suffering so much loss of life in the war. Felix isn’t too keen on the plan because he would have to leave Gabriek and Anya behind until he completely healed and she has her baby.

Nevertheless, Felix reluctantly agrees to fly to Australia on condition that Gabriek, Celeste, Anya and the baby will follow by ship as soon as possible. The plane is a Lancaster, a heavy British bomber, and it doesn’t take long to discover that there is a stowaway on board. And while Felix and Anya finally think they are on their way to a safe place, their story is far from over. And once again, Felix is faced with a life and death decision similar to the one he made in Once, Book1, when he and 6 year old Zelda jumped from the train that was taking them to a concentration camp and certain death. Will Felix and Anya survive their jump?

Maybe can be read as a stand alone novel or in the sequence in which it was written. Gleitzman includes enough background information for readers new to the series to know what they need to know about Felix, Gabriek, and Anya’s past. And he continues exploring themes of family, friendship, as well as the aftermath of war (including kindness, hate, help, loss, and revenge), and now, emigrating to a new country.

You would think that by the sixth book about the same character the appeal and quality would have worn thin, if not worn out. Not so with the Felix and Zelda family of books, as Gleitzman calls them. Felix is four years older than when the series began, and yet, he is still the same optimist with an good helping of naivety thrown in despite the fact that his life has been full of false hopes and lots of maybes so far. And I can’t help but wonder why he isn’t angry, bitter, and resentful given what he has gone through and the people he has loved and lost. It is a credit to Gleitzman’s writing that the series is still so vibrant, and even more relevant in today’s world where intolerance of others is on the rise.

It has been an interesting journey with Felix and the various people he met along the way. I am looking forward to reading Always, the 7th and final book, in which Gleitzman says he will bring Felix’s story full circle. I can't help but wonder how.

Maybe has already been released in Australia and Britain, but not yet in the United States. Once again, I was anxious to read it, and bought a copy from Book Depository (hooray for free delivery worldwide), and couldn't put it down once I started reading.

This book is recommended for readers age 12+
This book was purchased for my personal library

[Sandra | Leituras descomplicadas · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Talvez" traz-nos novamente a companhia de Felix, um rapaz judeu polaco de 14 anos. Desta vez, vamos ver como está a ser a sua vida no pós-guerra na companhia de Anya e de Gabriek. Apesar da Segunda Guerra Mundial ter terminado, a Polónia está muito longe de recuperar até ao que era antes da guerra. Encontra-se em ruínas, muitos polacos continuam a não olhar para os judeus da melhor forma e ódios antigos regressam, algumas vezes, com ainda mais força do que antes e durante a guerra. A desconfiança habita a cada esquina e nunca se sabe quando poderemos estar a falar com ex-nazi vestido agora com pele de cordeiro. Neste livro, percebemos um pouco melhor o que terá sido a vida de muitos sobreviventes no pós-guerra. Muitos viram as suas propriedades roubadas, como aconteceu com a quinta da família de Gabriek, e parece que ainda existem muitas contas para serem saldadas. É isso que vamos perceber com Felix a ser perseguido por um criminoso que lhe jurou vingança até ao fim dos seus dias por ter morto o seu irmão durante a guerra.

De repente, surge uma esperança no horizonte de Felix com a possibilidade de viajar até à Austrália onde lhe prometem uma vida melhor. Como diz Felix algures no livro: "Talvez fique tudo bem. Talvez eu devesse parar de pensar nas coisas más e concentrar-me nas coisas boas". Mas a mudança de continente e de hemisfério não trouxe a paz e acalmia que Felix esperaria... Mesmo tentando que o criminoso Zliv o perseguisse até a esse novo país de esperança, a paz não durou muito tempo. Anya, grávida de mais de sete meses, escondeu-se no avião australiano onde viajava Felix... Houve um grave acidente de avião, tendo eles os dois sido os únicos sobreviventes. O seu futuro? Serem levados para lares de acolhimento para rapazes e para raparigas... Mas a promessa de ficarem juntos foi feita e cumprida!

Apesar deste ser o quinto livro editado em Portugal desta colecção escrita por Morris Gleitzman, este é o primeiro livro que eu leio. Gostei da forma de escrever de Gleitzman e a forma como vai mostrando o crescimento de Felix ao longo de todo o livro. Mostra o quanto milhares de crianças foram obrigadas a crescer rápido demais e a fazer coisas que apenas deveriam estar reservadas a adultos, como disparar uma arma ou cuidar de feridos. A narrativa mostra também o quanto amizades construídas em tempo de guerra podem ser determinantes e vividas de uma forma totalmente diferente. Mais intensa, com maior entrega e com ligações que não se explicam. Sendo um livro de literatura juvenil, situações mais complexas ou mais dramáticas não são descritas da mesma forma como seriam num livro para adultos, mas ainda bem que um tema como este surge em livros para mais jovens. Pode ser uma boa forma de os fazer refletir sobre história e de conhecerem um outro lado de uma realidade que afectou tantos milhares de pessoas. Os quatro livros anteriormente publicados de Morris Gleitzman fazem já parte do Plano Nacional de Leitura e espero que com este livro aconteça o mesmo.

[Jorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reason I rated this book five stars, is because this book is exactly like the other books, funny, and sad. I really recommend this to anyone who likes to acknowledge the past in order to keep this from happening again, and that likes to read good books! This book is about a boy named Felix, and his friend Anya. They go on a quest back to their old home where they used to live with their guardian by the name of Gabriek. They have lived in harsh times and still just as harsh as it was before the second world war ended. They have been escaping from a deranged killer named Zliv. I know your probably wondering why he is trying to kill them. Well lets just say his brother by the name of Gogol( I know right, weird names) was also trying to kill them for their supplies, but he got tricked and ended up dead instead. They are rescued from a mob on their way home by a MP officer. He gets shot in the head. They are taken to the base were Felix( The same boy) saves his live because he is an experienced doctor. He is praised for his work and is offered to go to Australia. He says no right off the bat, because he doesn't want to live with his life long family. I mean who would? They(his friends) finally persuade him to go after the base CO(Commanding Officer) assures Felix of him being able to see his friends soon as he has secured a spot for them on a boat heading for Australia in a few months. He finally gets on the plane that takes him, when suddenly they go to find snacks and their is Anya! No spoilers so I won't tell you the rest of the book, but I will tell you a bit more about what it represents. It shows you how some people actually cared for each other in the time of need, while others kept there head down to survive, but ended up dead anyway. It showed the same thing that some people did, they risked their lives, risked their families lives, in order to help their neighbors. This is how it should be these days, but it's not. It's more like " Well this doesn't affect me so I don't care." or "Why should I help them? They will get me hurt or in trouble." not "Hey, come over to our house, you will be safe their.". These series have taught me that war brings out the worst in people, but also the best in people. I wouldn't change a thing about this book or any of the others, there is nothing you can change, you can only change what it will do to you. And I will never forget it.

[Adri Dosi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Konečně tu máme Možná. Pátý díl série Když, Potom....
A musím říct, že to je skvělé a ten finiš v podobě sedmé knihy to chce. A já ji chci.
No a tedy pěkný švunk to byl i v této knize. Nevím, proč Češi původně chtěli skončit ve vydávání koncem války. Pak je ta naivní představa, že to koncem války skončilo, že pak bylo vše idylické, zalité sluncem, ale ono houby a bohužel nejen u nás, ani v Polsku ani v dalších zemích. V knize je pěkně znázorněno i přístup těch lidí. Nebyl popravdě vůbec takový, jak by si člověk myslel. Kniha je pro děti, ale hltá ji i dospělí. A jsem velmi ráda, že vychází v té naší podobě.

[Hannah Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

1946. Europe is in ruins. Millions dream of finding happiness and wishes seem like it will never happen again. 14 year-old Felix is one of them. When he's offered a journey to somewhere far away, he seizes the opportunity. So does someone very dear to him, even though she wasn't actually invited. They have high hopes for their new land. But before Felix and Anya can embrace the love and friendship of their new world, they must confront the murderous urge for revenge still alive in the old. Felix knows he hasn't faced anything like this before. He may not survive, but he's hoping he will. Maybe.

[Anthony Chang · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Maybe" follows Felix, a young Jewish boy in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II. After escaping from a concentration camp, Felix embarks on a dangerous journey to find his family. Despite the horrors he faces, Felix holds onto hope and kindness, meeting both cruelty and compassion along the way. The novel explores themes of survival, bravery, and the power of hope in the face of unimaginable hardship. Through Felix’s innocent and hopeful perspective, Morris Gleitzman tells a moving story about the resilience of the human spirit during the Holocaust.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another incredible story in the Once family of books. Felix is such a wonderful character; so naive, yet so wise at the same time. Action packed and emotional, you'll continue cheering for Felix in this new book.

[Dionysi Krinas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one just like the others, Felix's character continues to develop and it has enough suspense to keep you interested. Certainly a book for young teenagers that really gives you a glimpse into the mind of a war-hardened teenager who still manages to find hope in the world.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do believe I love just about everything Morris Gleitzman has written. Can't think of a book where I have been even the tiniest bit disappointed. This series or family of books have been brilliant. I can't recommend them enough.
What made this book even better for me was that Morris Gleitzman was reading. Listening was a delight.

[Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Jordy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe is the second last entry in the once series which has Felix have the opportunity for Felix to go to Australia. The book is alright but not as memorable.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant instalment in a brilliant series :)

[mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

happy endings <3<3

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another pearl of a page turner by Gleitzman. I'm addicted.

[Bosorka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tuhle sérii prostě miluju, je tak lidská a silná. A Felix je prostě úžasnej kluk, u něhož by mi bylo ctí se s ním znát.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book continues in Felix's life when a ruthless mercenary comes after him. I loved reading this book.

[Emma-Rose Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

well that was unexpected

[Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I would have to reread the other stories of Felix first, but Gleitzman does a great job of giving enough detail so the reader knows what has happened without spoiling the other books. It is a stand-alone story of Felix's journey to Australia which evokes tears as well as laugh-out-loud moments. I had to read this in one sitting. The only downer is too long to wait for the last story.

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1946. The war is over and Felix and his friends Gabriek and Anya are heading back to Gabriek's farm - keen to live a life without fear. But all does not go to plan and they are soon running for their lives.

The 6th in Morris Gleitzman's 'family' of books about Felix's life - before, during and after World War 2, Maybe he'll finally be able to find a life without having to look over his shoulder, avoid death all around him and become the doctor he wants to be?

Maybe this will happen when he wakes up in an airbase? Maybe it will happen when he flies to Australia? But there is always the threat of Zliv, the younger brother of a man they killed in Poland, who does not care that it was in self defense.

Drawn right into the continuing narrative on the very first line, the reader is back in Felix's life. At age fourteen, he has seen terrible things, lost loved ones and suffered throughout the war. But the war has ended and now he has hope for the future. This 'family' of books has been written and intended to be able to be read in any order. Once, Then, After, Now, Soon are as beautiful and heartbreaking as each other. Maybe they'll be one more in this family?  

[Carly-Ann Brandreth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series of books however this is the weakest instalment in the tale of Felix Salinger. While all the books have been fast paced and full of action this one seems like it is trying too hard, it is just unbelievable and all that happens is completely far fetched. I hope the final instalment that has been forecast will make up for this one and give a great series the final chapter it deserves.

[ava · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay