1. The Silver Sword is set in Poland and Germany during and immediately after World War II. The author provides extensive descriptions of the war's devastation in these countries. How do these descriptions impact the narrative?

2. Ruth, Edek, and Jan are forced to take on adult responsibilities when their parents are no longer able to care for them.

Where in the story do you observe signs of their maturation? What adult characteristics do they exhibit?

3. Read the autobiographical book Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, which details a young girl's experience hiding from the Nazis with her family. How do Anne's experiences compare to those of the children in The Silver Sword? Why do you think Serraillier chose to give his book a happy ending? Do you believe the ending of The Silver Sword downplays the real suffering endured by millions of children like Anne?

4. Read another book about children's experiences during World War II, such as Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene, They Didn't Come Back by Hans Peter Richter, The Machine Gunners by Robert Westall, or I Am David by Ann Holm. How do these novels depict people from the various countries involved in the war, particularly those on the "enemy" side? How do the experiences of the children in these books compare to those of the children in The Silver Sword?

5. Trace the evolution of the silver sword as a symbol throughout the novel. What does it represent thematically, and how does it function within the plot?