Yoni Eshel
5 -é
BOOK REPORT
Name of the book: the silver sword
Author: Ian Serraillier
Publisher: Oxford University Press 1995.
Type/Genre of book: Documentary, but it also an adventure book.
Level of book: Stage 4.
Names of main characters: Joseph Balicki, his children: Ruth, Edek and Bronia. And Jan.
Country where the story/plot takes place: Poland, Germany and Switzerland.
Time when the story/plot takes place: After Second World War.
Number and titles you have chosen:
(4) A map showing where the story takes place.
(3) An interview with one of the characters.
THE JOURNEY FROM POLAND TO SWITZERLAND
Ruth, Edek and Bronia, are three children who lost their parents during the Second World
War. Edek hid food in cellars in ground and helped taking it into the towns to sell it. One
night, the secret police had taken Edek away, for two years Ruth and Bronia did not heard
from him.
After they met a boy named Jan. He carries with him all the time the Silver Sword, which the
children's father had given him three years before. Jan believes that the sword will bring him
and them luck.
They found Edek, and from now on begin the long and dangerous journey to Switzerland, where
they hoped to find their parents again.
First, they leave Warsaw, they walk for two and a half days, they take with them food and
some blankets. Then, they arrive to Posen. In Posen they had a rest and ate. From there, they
took a train on their way to Berlin. In the train, Edek tells about his adventures and how he
escaped from the Nazis. Nine days later, the train reaches Berlin. They sleep in the refugees
camp. The camp was their "home" for only few days. They were told to take the Posdam
–Road, they marched all day long, the next day the children went across the country towards
Bitterfeld and Halle. They had to find work to get more money for food. Edek found work and
so they could buy some food. They continued on their journey. They arrived to Thuringian
Forest, they moved from one zone to another (first they were in the Russian zone and now
they are in the American zone). In their way through the forest, they kept going until they
arrived to a farm. They slept there and later they found-out that it belongs to a Bavarian
farmer. This farm was high up in the Bavarian Hills, not far from Czechoslovakia. Near the
farm was someone who demanded them to go back to Poland, so their only way was along the
River Falken. They took two canoes, one for Edek and Jan, and one for Ruth and Bronia. They
sailed in the river until they reached the place where the river joined the Danube, at
Falkenburg. There, they left the canoes. They walked into Falkenburg, crossed the Danube,
then a lorry took them some way along the road to Switzerland. After this, they continued
walking. Three days later, they camped beside the road. Edek got sick again and he walked
slowly. A lorry came along, the driver was an American soldier, but his parents were Polish.
They got in the front seat of the lorry and went off along the road to Lake Constance. The
children were taken there to the refugees camp. The camp official received a letter from their
father, so they were sent to Meersburg to meet their father. Finally they met their parents
and were united with their mother at Appenzel, in Switzerland. The reunited family adopted
Jan.
During all the way to Switzerland, Jan kept the Silver Sword, tied around his neck.
An interview with Edek
So Edek, tell me how do you fell now
after meeting your parents?
Well after I met them, I feel great I am so glad and happy to see them again. I think that the
journey that we did was worth it, although we had lots of problems and dangers.
During the two years that you were not with your
sisters where were you and what
One night, I went to the town to sell and to buy some food. I went to a house and when I came
near the house I saw that the secret police was there. They searched for hidden food. They
discovered the butter that was sewn into my coat. After setting fire to the house, they had
taken the owner and me away. They sent me to a camp where I was held for two years. I
became sick, therefore, I was sent to a Warthe-camp. Finally they found me. During all the
time I kept thinking about my sisters.
On the train to Berlin how did you feel and how
did you managed all the difficulties?
Even though there were many difficulties –I was sick and I didn't feel good, the truck was
small and it was crowded, I still managed. During those nine days I told stories and laughed
with my sisters and with Jan. I was very glad that we were all together.
Edek, can you please tell me what happened in
the barn of the Bavarian farmer ?
After being at the American Army courtroom's, we kept walking until it became dark,
suddenly we saw down the road an open barn so we went in and decided to sleep there. In the
morning the farmer surprised us and therefor Jan throw on him a potato. The farmer and his
wife were very nice to us and let us sleep another night (not in the barn of course
Well Edek that is all tank you for telling me
all of your adventures.
I am glade that I can tell someone this. Tank you to.