In 1942 Warsaw, World War II is raging, and people live in fear from day to day. Ruth, Bronia, and Edek have to fend for themselves when both of th...
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Sep 16, 2011
Conor
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The Silver Sword is an epic tale of a family who were separated when the Nazi’s invaded Poland in 1940. The story centres on the Balicki family, who consisted of the mother Margrit, the father Joseph and their 3 young children; Ruth, Bronia and Edek. With their father taken to a prison camp and their mother captured as a slave, the three children were left to fend for them self in a country ravaged by the Nazis.
The name of the book, ‘The Silver Sword’ is significant, as this sword belong More...
The name of the book, ‘The Silver Sword’ is significant, as this sword belong More...
Jan 29, 2012
Christie
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I first read Ian Serraillier’s novel The Silver Sword when I was 12. All these years later I had vague memories of what the story was about, but very vivid memories of having loved it. We read it in school and so it wasn’t a book that I’d actually come across elsewhere. One day, while perusing the selection at Book Closeouts I came across the book and decided to order it. I wondered, after all these years, if it would stand up. Some childhood books do and some don’t.
The Silver Sword More...
The Silver Sword More...
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Oct 10, 2011
06mckinleed
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Escape From Warsaw
Author: Ian Serraillier
Pages:218
I gently picked up the old looking book and inspected the interesting front cover which read "Escape From Warsaw". It didn't look like much with its fraying corners and it words which looked like a typewriter had zipped its way along the pages in such a weird print that it was hard for my eyes to read. But as I opened to the first page I began to read and began to become more interested in the little, Polis More...
Author: Ian Serraillier
Pages:218
I gently picked up the old looking book and inspected the interesting front cover which read "Escape From Warsaw". It didn't look like much with its fraying corners and it words which looked like a typewriter had zipped its way along the pages in such a weird print that it was hard for my eyes to read. But as I opened to the first page I began to read and began to become more interested in the little, Polis More...
Sep 04, 2011
Karl
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The Silver Sword is about the Balicki family who are separated during WWII when The Germans Nazis had invaded Poland. The story begins with Joseph the Father of the family escaping from a prison camp. Joseph Returns to find his home as a pile of rubble and uncertain of whether his children and wife are still alive. His only source of information believes his wife was taken to Germany and his children may have been killed by the Nazi’s. Not knowing whether his wife or children are alive Joseph se
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Jul 20, 2011
Alex
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The Silver Sword is the story of the Balicki family, Joseph and his Swiss wife Margrit and his daughter Ruth, 13, and Bronia, 3, and son, Edek, 11. In 1940, they are living in a Warsaw suburb in Poland during the Nazi occupation of that country, where Joseph is the headmaster in a primary school.
One day while teaching, Joseph turns a picture of Hitler so it faced the wall. His action is reported to the Nazi authorities by a student. Joseph is arrested and sent to a prison camp in Za More...
One day while teaching, Joseph turns a picture of Hitler so it faced the wall. His action is reported to the Nazi authorities by a student. Joseph is arrested and sent to a prison camp in Za More...
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Jul 07, 2011
Audrey
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I was disappointed by this near-200 page historical fiction book, and its attempt to retell a Polish family's harrowing experience during the Nazi occupation. Some of the concepts, characters, or scenes were wonderful ideas, however, I felt the author neither fleshed out the storyline, nor developed potentially strong characters. Additionally, the author never employed their rhetoric to draw me in. I felt that the vocabulary was common-place and oversimplified, at the cost of the book.
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Oct 26, 2010
Jesse
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This book is about the Balicki family and they're struggles during World War II. The book starts out on the father(Joseph who was taken to a german work camp. He was the headmaster of the school, one day during prayer he turned the picture of Hitler to face the wall. People talked about it which was a terrible mistake because the Germans found out and hauled him off. After being beaten, tourtured and worked near to death he is determined to escape. After stealing a German uniform and walking rig
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Aug 27, 2009
Autumn
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Amazing story, based on true events, about a children's journey from war-torn Warsaw to their parents in Switzerland. Their honest hope and determination and selfless love for each other is encouraging and refreshing. The good people they meet along the way that willingly and selflessly help them build your faith in human nature amid the horror and hate of the war that surrounds the people. The style of writing and nature of the language makes the book approachable for older elementary age child
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Jul 29, 2011
Jenee
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I loved this book when I was younger and I still love and read it today.
One of my favorites!
This is a story about the struggles of a group of children trying to find safety during the hollocaust.
I think the thing that stands out to me most about this story is the fact that the characters are so lovable. I read this when I was a lot younger and so some of the characters where about my age so it was a lot easier for me to identify with them.
Something about adventure stories always got me so excit More...
One of my favorites!
This is a story about the struggles of a group of children trying to find safety during the hollocaust.
I think the thing that stands out to me most about this story is the fact that the characters are so lovable. I read this when I was a lot younger and so some of the characters where about my age so it was a lot easier for me to identify with them.
Something about adventure stories always got me so excit More...
May 12, 2008
Phil
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When I was younger I loved this book so I have decided to give it to my class to study. I remember I identified with the character Jan as I thought he was very funny. I envied him because he seemed to lead such an exciting life. I always wanted to go on a war adventure like the characters in this book.
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Aug 22, 2011
Sharon
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I remember reading this book at school when I was in 5th or 6th grade. I remember it being a thrilling book detailing one family's struggle to escape from the horrors of the Holocaust.
I read it again recently to see if it would measure up to my childhood memory. I have to say that the book was not as developed in plot and character development as I would have liked as an adult, but I could see why I liked it as a child. I believe it is simplistic because it is written for a youn More...
I read it again recently to see if it would measure up to my childhood memory. I have to say that the book was not as developed in plot and character development as I would have liked as an adult, but I could see why I liked it as a child. I believe it is simplistic because it is written for a youn More...
Mar 14, 2011
Sarah
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I thought this was a really well-done children's book! It's really fitting for the audience, and is a war story that focuses on the journey of the children and the hardships that result from war. It's charming, if I can say that about a book that focuses on a bit of a sad subject, in the same way that Narnia is. Perhaps it's because the style of writing is similar to Lewis. It's very matter-of-fact, and leaves gaps in the story for the "ugly affairs." But, Serrailier doesn't shy away f
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May 18, 2011
Marris
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This is a great WWII era book that is based upon true accounts. Unfortunately, the story just fell flat for me. I know that the things that happen in the book really happened, but I wish the characters were better developed. I wasn't emotionally attached to them and I couldn't picture them as living, breathing human beings with feelings and emotions. I think that in order to truly understand their plight, you have to care about them and it was hard for me to do that because it seemed like they d
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Jun 12, 2011
Velvetink
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Read this while at school in high school. My class had a lot of students whose parents had emigrated to Australia after the war and I believe that the school put this on the reading list to foster understanding and tolerance. Quite a few students were also struggling with the new language and although this was written for younger students in mind I think it was a good choice at the time. I wonder how it would stand up to a re-read, remember liking it and looking forward to the discussions about
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Nov 18, 2011
Nina
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The Balicki family of Warsaw was forcibly separated as World War II raged. In 1942, the children, Ruth, Edek and Bronia are left vulnerable and alone to fend for themselves in a suddenly unfamiliar and threatening world. The force that drives them is the dream of reunion with their parents. Jan, a wild urchin, provides an improbable link between the divided Balicki family members. A fictional account based upon true events inspires readers through the enduring hope, valor and strength of wil
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Oct 25, 2011
Helen
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I read this book when I was in junior high as a class assignment. Usually books that were assigned reading were not my favorites but this book really captured my imagination. I honestly do not remember much detail about it now, but I have always remembered the title and that it was about kids thrust into a situation where they had to use their wits to survive. I really enjoyed reading it at the time. Many other books that I read at that age have been long forgotten but not this one.
Aug 13, 2011
Anna
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Jan 26, 2012
Joseph
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this was a really great book for me cause it was what started me in reading about the holocaust and autobiography during war time. the book is about how one day the nazi's come for them. The three kids that lived in the house had to go and run from them after the boy had shot one of them with his gun as they took his parents. all of them are trying to get to switzerland where their grandparents live and they go threw all this horrible stuff to get their and it takes them about ten years or so to
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Nov 30, 2011
Jared
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The silver sword was so cool.I love the story line.I also love the adventure of the book.It is one of the best books i have ever read in my life.My favourite character is Jan.Jan is a homles boy living in Poland.Poland has just been bombed.Jan is an animal lover he finds several animal friends along the way.My favourite scene is Jan talking to a big chimpanze that escaped from the zoo.I love this book and recomend it for all ages.
Sep 25, 2011
Sarah
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This book has got a great rhythm to it, the chapters are the perfect size & the action is well paced. I appreciated the balance of discussing the impact of war in a way which was honest & informative, but also not too upsetting for younger readers.
What also struck me is that it hasn't really aged. Yes, there are a couple of twee sayings in it, but on the whole it could have been written yesterday.
I enjoyed it as an adult reader, it was one of those books I wish I'd discover More...
What also struck me is that it hasn't really aged. Yes, there are a couple of twee sayings in it, but on the whole it could have been written yesterday.
I enjoyed it as an adult reader, it was one of those books I wish I'd discover More...
Oct 31, 2007
The other John
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This one's a bit odd. It's the story of three children who are "orphaned" in World War II Poland. Their father is carted off to a work camp and months later their mother is hauled off, too. The children escape into the bombed out basements and alleyways of Warsaw, surviving as best they can. When the war's over, they receive word that their father had escaped his imprisonment and was last seen headed to Switzerland. They decide to follow him, giving the reader a peek into war torn Euro
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Jan 08, 2012
Helena
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This is one of my childhood books that i've always been exceptionally fond of. I remember reading it at school then going straight to Waterstone's to get my own copy, even reading it again a few years later, i still find it amazing. HIGHLY RECOMMEND, whether you're a hundred yrs old or can barely walk, everyone should read this.
CANNOT BELIEVE THIS GOT AN AVERAGE GRADE OF 3,92!
CANNOT BELIEVE THIS GOT AN AVERAGE GRADE OF 3,92!
Jan 11, 2010
Rachel
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It didn't grip my attention the way some fictional books, even children's books, have. Still an interesting and at times fun read, though. It's apparently based on true happenings. I'd recommend this for younger readers--maybe late elementary/junior high. They might enjoy it more. I'll let my little sister read this one; she's fond of war stories.
May 03, 2011
Elaine
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Having plans to meet up with his wife at her parents' house in Switzerland if ever they get separated, a Polish man, Joseph escapes a concentration camp. Someone believed strongly that his children must be dead and that's what he was told, however unbeknownst to him, they were able to escape when Nazi soldiers came back to destroy their house. Joseph meets a boy named Jan. Joseph recognizes a small silver sword that Joseph had given his wife at an earlier time but he allows Jan to keep it.
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May 29, 2011
Paul
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Had this read to me one or years/decades/centuries (delete as appropriate, I'm not telling) when I was in school. Wished for and got it as a Christmas present. In the meantime I've read it several times and each of my children had it read to them when they were younger. Still waiting for the grandchildren so have had to read it for myself again.
Feb 10, 2012
Jacinta
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This book was read to us in class when I was 10 years old, and I still have the same tatty copy I bought from the school library for 50c. Now that I've grown up a bit the idea of a kids book about Polish children trying to escape to Switzerland during WW2 is a bit heavy, but it's such a wonderfully written and exciting tale, with engaging characters that still hold up for me 17 years later.
Jul 11, 2011
Joëlle
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I probably never would've picked it up, but my friend loves it so much she gave it to me for my birthday. Read it in one sitting. Great read. The author does an excellent job of showing the horrors of war without getting too graphic for his audience (9-12, I'm thinking).
Oct 28, 2010
Melanie
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I read this with my 7 and 12 yr old. They did not want me to stop reading. This is a great WWII story. This is a story taken from actual accounts and is about a family from Warsaw who is separated during the war and their adventures to try and find each other again.
Jun 11, 2010
Kelsey
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Used this with a Holocaust reading group... the story is great, but it seems more like an action/adventure story than a story about such a tragic part of history. Deals with things a little too lightly... I'm still looking for the right balance!
May 03, 2011
Raj
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When I saw this in a second hand bookshop for 25p, I couldn't help but grab it, since it's something that I read at school (either late primary school or early secondary) and really enjoyed at the time. When their parents are taken away by the Nazis, the Balicki children must flee Warsaw and make their way to Switzerland, along with the orphan thief Jan.
Rereading it now, this is a fairly simplistic children's book, only briefly touching on the suffering and hardship of the Second Wor More...
Rereading it now, this is a fairly simplistic children's book, only briefly touching on the suffering and hardship of the Second Wor More...
