English Reading Report Assignment

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Then by Morris Gleitzman is a war fiction novel about the life of two children, Felix and Zelda during wartime Poland. Then is first published in 2008 and is printed in Australia. Morris Gletizman’s message in the book allows readers to remember and relive the memory of the unforgettable history period of the Holocaust and the Nazis. Gleitzman wanted to show the rare kindness of people during wartime and the effect it had on children like the main characters, Felix and Zelda.

The book Then is set in Poland during the period of the Holocaust and Nazis in 1942. The book is about the two orphans, Felix and Zelda, who escaped from a train that travel to a Nazi death camp for Jewish people. They struggled to survive without food or water. They met Genia, a farmer who became their guardian and provided a shelter and kindness to the two children. Felix and Zelda embarked on a terrifying journey to disguise their identity, escape from sinister Nazi soldiers and overcome challenges and suspicions of Genia’s neighbours.

There are three main characters in Then, they are Genia, Zelda and Felix. Felix is a ten year old Jewish orphan whose parents were killed by the Nazis. Although Zelda is not his family, he is very protective and cared a lot about Zelda. This is illustrated when Felix thought “if I was twelve I could carry Zelda on my back” and this also showed Felix’s love for Zelda. He is also very intelligent, a quick thinker and very brave. He did a poo in his pants to avoid Cyryl and his gang pulled down his pants and discover his Jewish identity. He made a hiding hole for Zelda in the barn, digging the hiding hole under the dog, Leopard’s kennel; once again this proved Felix’s intelligence. Felix also idolised Richmal Crompton, an Eng...

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...e children’s point of view to reveal the plot allowed readers to sympathise the children quickly.

Overall, Then by Morris Gleitzman is an excellent novel and combines real historical events with a touch of fantasy and adventure. By using interesting characters, exciting plot, distinctive use of engaging language and imagery, Morris allowed readers to imagine the suffering and pain Jewish children experienced in the period of Holocaust. Although there was probably over repetition of the word “Then” at the start of each chapter, Then allowed readers to think, remember and respect Jewish people who suffered at war and explored touching and difficult themes with a beautiful, intriguing, captivating and exceptionally written plot. Then allow the reader to feel and grasp the unimaginable.

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