The Silver Sword

World War II is over. Three siblings—Ruth, Bronia, and Edek—along with their new friend, Jan, are on their way to Switzerland to find their father. The home of the three siblings in Poland has been destroyed by the war, and their mother and father were both taken away by the Germans. Jan has been orphaned and is living on the streets, making his way by hook or crook.

It's a story of adventure, of making their way on foot, scrounging for a place to stay in a barn or with a kind family, searching for food. It's a story with much to say about the right and wrong things to do, a story that would be excellent for discussion with children. Is it right or wrong to steal food when you are starving? And what if you are stealing from food that is marked for your own hungry people? Are all German soldiers wicked? What about the Russian ones?

It's based on true stories of children after the war, and these are stories children of today probably haven't heard. How do mere children survive a long trek?

A 1001 Children's Book You Must Read Before You Grow Up.