At least he’s got me.
My name is Zelda too.
This is our story.
‘Now is an edifying and tender, nuanced novel from an exceptionally compassionate author.’
The Age
‘Gleitzman has a special way of seeing the world through the eyes of a child, and generations of readers are grateful to him for it.’
West Australian
‘Gleitzman’s trademark fine balance of tragedy and comedy is as sure as ever.’
The Guardian
AFTER
After the Nazis took my parents I was scared.
After they killed my best friend I was angry.
After they ruined my thirteenth birthday I was determined.
To get to the forest.
To join forces with Gabriek and Yuli.
To be a family.
To defeat the Nazis after all.
‘To say After is one of the finest children’s novels written in the past 25 years or so is no idle statement.’
Saturday Age
‘At its heart, After is about love and we are edified by reading it.’
Sydney Morning Herald
‘Morris Gleitzman is a writer who has moved generations of children . . . After does this and far more besides.’
Hobart Mercury
SOON
I hoped that soon the Nazis would be defeated.
And they were.
I hoped that soon the war would be over.
And it was.
But we aren’t.
‘An amazing story . . . it is Felix’s indomitable optimism that shines through . . . making us believe that trust, goodness and love will prevail.’
Magpies
‘ . . . an awesomely epic adventure . . . It is the best book I have ever read!’
The Guardian, young reviewer
‘ . . . unexpectedly beautiful in its balance of hope and despair.’
Mostly Books
‘I’m crazy about this series. I recommend it to everyone I know – young, old, teachers and reluctant readers.’
Goodreads
BOOK OF THE YEAR – YOUNGER READERS
CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA AWARDS
About the Author
Morris Gleitzman grew up in England and came to Australia when he was sixteen. After university he worked for ten years as a screenwriter. Then he had a wonderful experience. He wrote a novel for young people. Now, after 39 books, he’s one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors.
Visit Morris at his website:
morrisgleitzman.com
Also by Morris Gleitzman
The Other Facts of Life
Second Childhood
Two Weeks with the Queen
Misery Guts
Worry Warts
Puppy Fat
Blabber Mouth
Sticky Beak
Gift of the Gab
Belly Flop
Water Wings
Deadly! (with Paul Jennings)
Bumface
Adults Only
Teacher’s Pet
Toad Rage
Toad Heaven
Toad Away
Toad Surprise
Toad Delight
Boy Overboard
Girl Underground
Worm Story
Aristotle’s Nostril
Doubting Thomas
Grace
Too Small to Fail
Extra Time
Loyal Creatures
Give Peas a Chance
Pizza Cake
Snot Chocolate
Once
Then
After
Soon
Now
VIKING
India | New Zealand | South Africa | China
Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies
whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.
First published by Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd, 2017
Text copyright © Morris Gleitzman, 2017.
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
Cover and text design by Tony Palmer
© Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd
Cover photography: boy – Lyn Randle/Trevillion Images; upper sunrise – Pavel Kilmenko/Shutterstock; lower sunrise – foxaon/Shutterstock; parachute – ScandinavianStock/Shutterstock; windmill – Rob d/Shutterstock; flight helmet – Michal Chmurski/Shutterstock
Inside cover art: newspapers – Grafnata/Shutterstock;
old paint peeling – Akarapong/Shutterstock
penguin.com.au
ISBN: 978-1-76014-259-9
THE BEGINNING
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