130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

Happy Long Weekend! We're open all 3 days! πŸ“š Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

The Silver Sword

By Ian Serraillier
Series: A Puffin Book
0.0 (0 reviews)
4.02 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 9,230 ratings, 747 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier is a moving tale set during World War II about a group of children who embark on a perilous journey across war-ravaged Europe in search of their parents. Driven by the hope of reuniting with their family, the story highlights themes of resilience, bravery, and the enduring power of friendship amidst adversity. Through their adventures, the children encounter both kind strangers and obstacles, showcasing humanity's capacity for compassion and fortitude.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$1900
Elsewhere:
$2100
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are captivated by tales of resilience and courage. Set against the backdrop of World War II, it follows the journey of siblings as they navigate the hardships of war-torn Europe, driven by the hope of reuniting with their parents. Ideal for those who appreciate historical narratives filled with adventure and emotional depth.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Although the silver sword was only a paper knife, it became the symbol of hope and courage which kept the Balicki children and their orphan friend Jan alive through the four years of occupation when they had to fend for themselves.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An unforgettable war-time adventure story.

Although the silver sword was only a paper knife, it became the symbol of hope and courage which kept the Balicki children and their orphan friend Jan alive through the four years of occupation when they had to fend for themselves. And afterwards, it inspired them to keep going on the exhausting and dangerous journey from war-torn Poland to Switzerland, where they hoped to find their parents.

Based on true accounts, this is a moving story of life during and after the Second World War.

Series: A Puffin Book

View all
  • Charlotte's Web
    Charlotte's Web by E. B. White is a heart-warming and enchanting tale that delves into the themes of friendship, loyalty, and the inevitability of change. The story transports readers to Zuckerman's farm, where a young girl named Fern nurtures a runt piglet she names Wilbur. Her love and care save Wilbur from an untimely fate, and he is sold to...
    By E. B. White
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • A Wrinkle in Time
    A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle is a Newbery Award-winning classic that has enchanted and inspired readers since its publication. This timeless novel effortlessly blends elements of fantasy and science fiction, captivating the hearts and minds of young and old alike. The story follows Meg Murry, her exceptionally intelligent younger brother Charles Wallace, and their new friend Calvin O'Keefe....
    By Madeleine L'Engle
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Diary of a Young Girl
    The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is among the most enduring documents of the 20th century. Anne Frank kept a diary from 12 June 1942 to 1 August 1944. Initially, she wrote it strictly for herself. Then, one day in 1944, Gerrit Bolkestein, a member of the Dutch government in exile, announced in a radio broadcast from...
    By Anne Frank
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2300
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Goodnight Mister Tom
    The 40th anniversary of Puffin's bestselling modern classic title. The 40th anniversary of one of the best-loved stories set during the Second World War. Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian is the unforgettable story of young Willie Beech, evacuated to the country as Britain stands on the brink of the Second World War. A sad, deprived child, he slowly begins...
    By Michelle Magorian
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $1799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    19% off
    Earthsea: The First Four Books
    A journey into the mystical and evocative archipelago of Earthsea, masterfully crafted by the acclaimed author Ursula K. Le Guin. In Earthsea: The First Four Books, readers are introduced to a world where magic is tangible and pervasive, guiding the lives and destinies of its inhabitants. The narrative follows the arc of Ged, known also by his use-name Sparrowhawk, whose...
    By Ursula Le Guin
    Paperback
    $2600
    Usually:
    $3200
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Watership Down
    One of the bestselling books of the 20th century. Fiver could sense danger. Something terrible is about to happen to the warrenβ€”he feels sure of it. And Fiver's sixth sense is never wrong, according to his brother Hazel. They had to leave immediately, and they had to persuade the other rabbits to join them. And so begins a long and...
    By Richard Adams
    Paperback
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • A Wizard of Earthsea
    The first in one of the greatest fantasy sequences of our time. The first book of Earthsea is a tale of wizards, dragons, and terrifying shadows. The island of Gont is a land famous for wizards. Of these, some say the greatestβ€”and surely the greatest voyagerβ€”is the man called Sparrowhawk. As a reckless, awkward boy, he discovered the great power...
    By Ursula Le Guin
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Ballet Shoes
    One of the best-loved stories of all time reissued with a stunning new cover. Ballet Shoes follows the story of Pauline, Petrova, and Posy Fossil, sisters with a difference. All three were adopted as babies by Great Uncle Matthew, an eccentric and wealthy explorer. After his disappearance, they are left in the care of his niece, Sylvia. The girls enjoy...
    By Noel Streatfeild
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
    A Puffin Book - stories that last a lifetime They are not like other rats. They work at night, in secret . . . Time is running out for Mrs Frisby. She must move her family of mice before the farmer destroys their home. But her youngest son, Timothy, is too ill to survive the move. Help comes in the...
    By Robert C. O'Brien
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Kiki's Delivery Service
    Puffin Classics - the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every child. Rediscover the A Puffin Book series and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this special edition of Kiki's Delivery Service, complete with charming illustrations throughout by Joe Todd-Stanton. Soar into this modern classic about a young witch and her very clever cat which inspired...
    By Eiko Kadono
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Stig of the Dump
    A new edition to mark the 60th anniversary of this classic adventure - the tale of Barney and his unlikely friendship with stone-age Stig. Puffin Classics - the definitive collection of timeless stories for every child. A book with a real, modern heart - Phil Earle The Thing sitting in the corner seemed to be interested. It got up and...
    By Clive King
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Island of the Blue Dolphins
    A Puffin Book - stories that last a lifetime Twelve-year-old Karana escapes death at the hands of treacherous hunters, only to find herself totally alone on a harsh, desolate island. How she survives in the face of all sorts of dangers makes gripping and inspiring reading. Based on a true story.
    By Scott O'Dell
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier is highly regarded for its gripping narrative about a family's journey through war-ravaged Europe. The book is praised for its emotional depth, the resilience of its young protagonists, and its ability to convey history through an engaging story. Reviewers appreciate its capacity to both educate and entertain, making it a treasured classic in children's literature.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141362649

Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 July 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Puffin

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 199.0mm

Weight: 183g

Pages: 256

Collections

Best Sellers at Book Hero Children's Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Classic Fiction Gift Finder Gifts for 10 to 12 year olds Gifts for 8 to 9 year olds Gifts under $100 Gifts under $20 Gifts under $30 Gifts under $50 Ian Serraillier In Stock Books In stock Children's Books In Stock Kid's Books Military history gifts New Zealand's Best Selling Books Penguin Books Second World War gifts Series: A Puffin Book World history gifts

About the Author

Ian Serraillier (1912-1994), was a British novelist and poet. Born in London, he was educated at Brighton College, and took his degree at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. He was best known for his children's books, especially The Silver Sword published in 1956. As well as children's novels and poetry, Serrailler produced his own retellings of classic tales, in prose and verse, including Beowulf, Chaucer and the Greek myths. Together with his wife Anne he founded the New Windmill Series in 1948, published by Heinemann Educational Books, which set out to provide inexpensive editions of good stories.

Also by Ian Serraillier

View all
  • The Silver Sword
    Alone and fending for themselves in a Poland devastated by World War Two, Jan and his three homeless friends cling to the silver sword as a symbol of hope. As they travel through Europe towards Switzerland, where they believe they will be reunited with their parents, they encounter many hardships and dangers. This extraordinarily moving account of an epic journey...
    By Ian Serraillier
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Silver Sword
    A moving tale of survival, heroism, and the courage of children, as Ruth, Edek, and Bronia hunt for their parents across the battlefields of Europe. Discover this amazing adventure story set in the Second World War. 'If you meet Ruth or Edek or Bronia, you must tell them I'm going to Switzerland to find their mother. Tell them to follow...
    By Ian Serraillier
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

More from Children's Books

View all
  • New Release
    Fight or Flight: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (21)
    When the going gets tough, what’s a wimpy kid to do? InΒ Fight or Flight, Greg Heffley faces his biggest challenge yet as he becomes a target for the school bully. Luckily for Greg, his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, takes karate, so at least Greg’s got someone in his corner. But an unexpected twist makes Greg realize he’s facing an uphill...
    By Jeff Kinney
    Paperback
    $1699
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Gruffalo Granny
    The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...
    By Julia Donaldson
    Hardback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Sixth Faction
    Beatrice Prior stands on the brink of a decision every person in her world must make: five factions, five futures, five lives. She has a plan: she's going to make the bravest choice, and leave Abnegation behind to join Dauntless, even though it means leaving her family behind. But when tragedy strikes at her Choosing Ceremony, everything changesβ€”her world, her...
    By Veronica Roth
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Detective Beans Colouring Club
    New Release
    Detective Beans Colouring Club
    Help Detective Beans solve the case of the missing colours! Join the Colouring Club now! Join the Detective Beans Colouring Club! Inside you'll find 40 removable colouring pages featuring scenes from all over Cat Town. Filled with all the characters you know and love from the Detective Beans graphic novels like Biscuits, Beans' mum, Mr Brickle, Bear, Detective Baby Bird...
    By Li Chen
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Wahine
    New Release
    Wahine
    From a majestic mermaid to a clay woman, the creator of glaciers to the mother of gardening, discover powerful wahine and how their stories shaped the world around us. Wahine introduces readers to twelve purakau of brave, bold, and inspiring women of Aotearoa. A beautifully illustrated collection that will delight the whole whanau, from award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White....
    By Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
    Hardback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Lottie Brooks’s Twelve Disasters of Christmas
    From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! But this time... it's not about Lottie! From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! And it's CHRISTMAS! In The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks we spent the holiday season with...
    By Katie Kirby
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Matihe! Achoo! Matihe! Achoo!
    On Sale
    21% off
    New Release
    Matihe! Achoo!
    What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...
    By Qiane Matata-Sipu
    Paperback
    $1500
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Sweet As Looky Book
    The Sweet As Looky Book
    Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...
    By Donovan Bixley
    Hardback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    Backorder
    Ships late October
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    By Giselle Clarkson
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Day of the Dinosaur Disaster
    Angry anacondas, blizzarding blobs, carnivorous cactuses ... what kind of twisted curse will Glam-Evil think up this time?!Only it's not just Glam-Evil's curse the gang needs to worry about; they've got a few other problems, too. Swooping Pteranodons, a hungry T-Rex, a missing mother, and ... is that ... an ASTEROID?!Join MILES AND JONES as they face their biggest challenge...
    By Sam Smith
    Paperback
    $1400
    Elsewhere:
    $1499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    15% off
    New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    By Katherine Rundell
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Mari the Unwonderful Witch
    A charming, cosy and thought-provoking tale about a wonderfully unconventional little witch, by bestselling author of BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki. Perfect for fans of WICKED, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and THE HATMAKERS series by Tamzin Merchant - and anyone who likes an enchanting adventure with just a hint of mischief. Mari the Unwonderful Witch introduces us to Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who...
    By Asako Yuzuki
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Children's Books lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all