The Silver Sword

The Silver Sword, a novel by Ian Serraillier, is set during and after World War II and follows the Balicki family from Warsaw, Poland. The father, Joseph, is taken to a Nazi prison camp, while the mother, Margrit, is also captured by the Nazis. Their three children, Ruth, Edek, and Bronia, are left to fend for themselves. After Joseph escapes from the camp, he finds their home destroyed, leaves a silver sword as a symbol of hope, and heads to Switzerland, believing his wife has been deported there. The children, upon finding the sword, use it as a talisman and embark on a treacherous journey across war-torn Europe to reunite with their parents. Along the way, they are joined by a resourceful orphan named Jan. Despite numerous challenges, the children demonstrate resilience and courage. Eventually, they are reunited with their parents, symbolizing the enduring strength of family and hope amidst the chaos of war.