“Max and his nine-year-old sister, Zena, walked along the dark and dirty street, ignoring the rat that skittered by. They hadn’t eaten since last night’s watery potato soup, and they were hoping to find something for supper. They had no money and nothing left to trade. But they weren’t ready to give up.”

This passage portrays Max and Zena’s harsh reality. The imagery of the “dark and dirty street” and the rat “skittering by” establishes a bleak environment, showing how war has stripped their lives of normalcy and security. The final sentence, “But they weren’t ready to give up,” underscores the theme of The Resilience and Resourcefulness of Children in Extreme Circumstances, highlighting the two siblings’ ability to persevere.

“The Nazis came with their tanks, their machine guns—and their hatred of Jewish people like Max and Zena.

Hitler told hideous lies, blaming Jews for every problem in the world. In Esties, Nazi soldiers destroyed Jewish-owned businesses, including Papa’s electrical repair shop. They set fire to the synagogue and ripped apart sacred Torah scrolls. They attacked Jewish people on the streets, including Dr. Latham, who had taken such good care of Mama before she died. What had Dr. Latham done to deserve a beating? He had dared to look at the soldiers as he walked by them.”

This passage provides a historical backdrop, explaining the brutality of Nazi occupation and its impact on the Jewish community in Esties. The author uses simple language to explain how Hitler’s regime dehumanized Jewish people and how widespread the violence against Jews was, ensuring the reader understands what Max, Zena, and their community are up against.

“Her blue eyes seemed to grab hold of him. With her blonde curls and round cheeks, people always said Zena looked like a doll. Sure—a doll made of steel. She was almost two years younger than Max, but he trusted her more than anyone else in the world.”

Zena’s physical description, with blue eyes, blonde curls, and round cheeks, suggests an innocent and childlike appearance, reinforced by the comparison to a doll. However, this image is contrasted by the phrase, “Sure—a doll made of steel.” This contrast between outward appearance and inner strength speaks to Zena’s resilience. Max’s comment that “he trusted her more than anyone else in the world” underscores the sibling bond that is central to the story.