The story unfolds against the backdrop of Europe's devastation during and after World War II. Much of the initial action is set in Warsaw and other regions of Poland. The opening chapters describe a South Polish prison camp where the children's father, Joseph Balicki, is imprisoned. The narrative then shifts to Nazi-occupied Warsaw, where Joseph returns in a futile search for his scattered family. The children's experiences of surviving alone in Warsaw offer further glimpses into the war-ravaged city. The Warsaw Uprising of 1944 and the near-total destruction of the old city are depicted in vivid detail. In the latter part of the book, the setting changes as the children travel to Switzerland in search of their parents. As the story progresses, Serraillier paints a vivid picture of western Poland, Berlin, and rural Germany in the war's aftermath. He describes the long lines of migrating refugees, refugee camps, soup kitchens, bombed-out cities, and finally, the untouched beauty of Switzerland, where the family reunion takes place.

The Silver Sword is a realistic war novel that relies heavily on descriptive detail for its literary impact. Since the war-torn European setting profoundly influences the children's experiences, Serraillier provides vivid and detailed portrayals of the devastated countries and the hardships the children face. The significance of these challenges in shaping the children's characters is highlighted through biblical parallels. Ruth narrates Bible stories to the children in her school, and their favorite, which also inspires her the most, is the tale of Daniel in the lions' den. She views her daily struggles as the lions and believes that, like Daniel, if she remains patient and trusting, she will be delivered. Switzerland, as the children's destination, becomes their promised land, reached after long wandering through the desert of war.

The silver sword itself serves as a recurring symbol of hope. As the sole remnant of the Balicki home, the sword represents the family's unity before the war. Joseph gives the sword to Jan as a pledge, and through Jan, it becomes the vital link between Joseph and his children. It motivates Ruth to embark on the journey to find her parents and drives the children forward during their travels. When the sword is left behind at the Wolffs' farm, the children's luck takes a turn for the worse; when it is returned, it cuts through the bureaucratic obstacles of Swiss immigration and leads to their reunion with their parents. Jan firmly believes that the sword is the reason they survive the storm on the lake at the book's climax. When his treasure box, symbolizing the secrets of his past, sinks to the lake's bottom, the sword alone remains, hanging from a string around his neck. He offers it, his most valued treasure, to Joseph's wife, Margrit, if she will be his mother. In this way, the pledge between Joseph and Jan is fulfilled, and the sword ultimately reunites the family.

The Silver Sword explores the consequences of war and the pervasive suffering it brings. While Serraillier does not downplay the hardships endured by the family, he refrains from depicting the most brutal aspects of war in graphic detail. The novel highlights that even amidst the horrors of war, individuals can still exhibit goodness and bravery. Jan exemplifies this theme poignantly. He is a likable and empathetic character, especially noted for his special connection with animals. However, his various misdeeds often complicate matters for the other children. Despite his lapses, Jan’s good intentions and sincere remorse make his actions forgivable, even when he crosses the line of the law. The story concludes on an optimistic note, envisioning a new society founded on peaceful principles.

Commire, Anne, ed. Something About the Author. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale Research, 1971. Provides a biographical profile of Serraillier.

MacCann, Donnarae. "Militarism in Juvenile Fiction." Interracial Books for Children 13 (1982): 18-20. Discusses The Silver Sword within the context of young adult literature that addresses themes of war.

Taylor, Anne. "A Comparative Study of Juvenile Fiction Dealing with the Second World War." Emergency Librarian 11 (November 1983): 13-21. Examines various young adult books set during or exploring World War II, including a discussion of The Silver Sword alongside other related works.