Customer Reviews

Escape from Warsaw

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This little book is based on a true story, and it's one of the most exciting and amazing stories to emerge out of the heartbreak of World War II. It's an incredible narrative about one family's tragedy and redemption, and the lives that they touch along the way. The will to live and survive, among even the youngest children in the family, is incredibly moving and inspiring. I read this story nearly 30 years ago when I was not yet a teen, and it stayed with me. I've read it often since and shared it with many friends, including a few Poles who found it very touching and encouraging...a great source of national pride. At times, the story will take your breath away. I would give it more stars if I could...it's that good.

In 1958 I was in the fourth grade and my teacher, Mrs. Jacoby, read it aloud. The book's characters and story stayed with me throughout my growing up until I became a teacher in 1971. For many years I was able to check The Silver Sword out of the public library in my home town and read it every year to my fourth graders. Then I moved. I was never able to find another copy. But in 1989 I attended a teacher conference and spoke with a sales rep for Scholastic Books. I mentioned the title to him and the author. He found it under a new title, Escape from Warsaw. I immediately ordered several copies and when they arrived I felt I had won the lotto. I have taught school for 25+ years. And every year I read this wonderful book, and every year I laugh and cry in the same places with my students. For most of my students this poignant book is their first introduction to WWII and the Holocaust. I know the book may be dated, the plot simple and the ending happy. But, the four children who are the main characters seem real to me and I always thrill reading about their hopeful journey to find their parents. You could say The Silver Sword, or Escape from Warsaw, changed my idea of the world and the minute part we each play in it.

This book is about three children in war-time Warsaw, Poland who everyday hope for the Red Army to invade Poland so they get a chance to escape and find their father who was taken to a German camp for turning a portrate of Hitler in his school room, and escaped to Switzerland. This a powerful story that shows how strong and determined you had to be during World War II. It also shows how important family was. It's brilliantly written and I give it 5 stars. Read to find out what happens on their journey to neutral Switzerland, and IF they make it alive.

I first read this book many years ago when I received it as a Book of the Month from the Weekly Reader organization. My parents had signed me up to receive my very own chapter books each month -- many of which I still own and cherish. However, of all the books I read during those grade school years, this was my absolute favorite. I was fascinated to learn about kids my own age who had shown such courage under terrible WWII conditions! Years later I had my local librarian help me search all over (this was in the pre-Internet days!) until we located a copy of the book. I was absoutely thrilled to be able to borrow a copy from the library to read to my own children. I began reading a chapter each day to my then 6, 8, and 10 year old children -- but soon half the neighborhood quickly learned to come over right after lunch for summertime reading, too. I recently obtained a copy for my 10 year old grandson. He's excited (and so am I) to read the book! It teaches children (1) family IS important, (2) not to give up even when things are very difficult, (3) bad things do happen to good people, but good things can happen as well!

It is a deceptively simple little book that has many BIG
messages.

This is the story of an ordinary family in Poland and its struggles to survive German Occupation and the peace that follows. With much determination the family survives but is separated and scarred. We see what it was like for ordinary families to exist in and after the brutal conflict. Imagine living in an atmosphere of deprivation, shortages, and fear of midnight abductions by brutal German occupiers. Nor do the family's difficulties cease with the conflict's end; separations, shortages, and divides keep the family from settling down to enjoy the peace. This is a story of determination and tenaciousness, and its lessons are quite compelling.

Escape From Warsaw
By: Ian Serraillier
Reviewed by: B. Arihara
Period: P.1

This is the story of a Polish family and, of what happened to them during the World War II and immediately afterward. The Balicki family lived in a suburb of Warsaw. Joseph, the father, and Margrit, the mother, had three children. Ruth, Edik, and Bronia. The children and the father go through some life-time experiences. It all started when Margrit Balicki was taken away to do labor work somewhere in Russia. When she was taken away it only left the father and the children. Unfortunately, Joseph was taken away to, to Zakyna, a prison camp in Germany. Joseph managed to escape after many tries. He remembered talking to his family about if they ever got separated, they would meet in Switzerland. So, that's where he was headed. Back in Warsaw, the children got themselves into many troubling situations, but were able to get out of them. Eventually, they to remembered the meeting place and started out to Switzerland. On their way, they met a very clever boy, Jan, who they thought would help them out on their journey. During their journey, they met many people who felt for them and helped them out as much as they could. Finally, after months of traveling on foot, they make it to Switzerland very ill and tired. The day before they met, there was a terrible storm which caused much damage to everything in its path. The children wake up in a hospital dazed yet, excited to see their father standing over them. They haven't heard anything about their mother and are very disappointed. But they are willing to put all their troubles behind them and start a wonderful life together in their new home, Appenzell, Switzerland.

One of the main reasons why I like the book was because it was based on a true story, which made it interesting. It was a fun book to read even though there were many tragedies for this family. I liked the way the author tells the story, making each situation a gripping experience. The author wrote in a way that made me feel like I was there with them the whole journey. I also liked the book because it had humorous moments. For example, when they were caught sleeping in a farmer's barn, they told the farmer that they haven't done any harm. The farmer responded back, "I suppose you call this a birthday present. One - two - three of you. Is that the lot, or have we another batch lurking somewhere?"

The things I disliked about the book was that it was often hard to follow. Some of the sentence structures were so confusing that I had to read it over two or three times to understand it better. The author used words I didn't know, so I had to use context clues to figure out the meanings of those words or look them up in the dictionary. For example, "He begrudgingly lifted the tarpaulin from his shoulders and sat back to the crates, facing the dark mountain."

My favorite part of the book was when Ruth, Edik, Jan and Bronia went canoeing down the Danube River and Elbe River. It reminded me of when I went canoeing in Redondo Beach. I could relate to how tired they were when they were canoeing all night long to go to Switzerland. This section of the book was very exciting for me to read because it was the most adventurous and thrilling part of their journey. They went through rough rapid waters, they had to be very quiet passing by a village so they wouldn't be seen, and when they were spotted by an officer, they had to quickly get away.

This is a book about a family who were surviving in Warsaw, Poland. They were all on their own, because they had to run away tobe alive. They had some pretty bad days in their adventure, but they were going on slowly t=day by they. But most importantly it makes you thinkof how the kids are all living together for months. Mostly there are fight when there is boysand girl iin the family, but they were going on and trying to do their best in living each day. This book also teaches the being together and trying to fit in. Mostly it brings you to the childhood a little more, and it makes you relaize how these kids are all fitting together and how you were in your childhood. latly, i recomend this book, because its an awesome and amazing book.You will also learn and can picture the past back in the war time. You will get the feeling of it and try to keep on going and wanting to find more about them and what is happening to them. I also recomend this book, because this book is a real life.

This is an engaging story of the three Balicki children who are left to fend for themselves after their parents are arrested by the Nazis. It is a story of family love and devotion and a story of friendship. I think it is a great book for young people to read to understand the horrors of this war upon the children. The story has a heart-warming ending.

I am a thirteen years old and I read Escape From Warsaw. This book is a great book for anybody who enjoys survival and human struggles. This book is about a polish family who gets torn apart by the rath of the Nazis.The struggle takes place in 1942 between Warsaw and Switzerland. Taking four kids from age 18 to 7 to take on responsibility that no kids should take on. I enjoyed this book and I would like to see the movie.

I first read this book in grammar school, years ago. Recommend this fine book as a tool in introducing your child/children to the nightmare of the holocaust and World War II. Fine characterizations will help children identify with victims. Note: Has anyone seen a copy released under the origin. title: "The Silver Sword"?