Edek is the second eldest among the kids. Edek played an important role in Ruth and Bronia's life, because he was there lifeline: money, clothes etc... Edek then gets caught smuggling from the Nazis. After Edek disappeared Ruth and Bronia found it hard to live without Edek; but managed. When they find Edek, he is very sick and his health gets progressively worse; however Edek was a courageous, intelligent and determined person. He pushed aside his sickness and with all the strength he had left he went after his parents. Eventually his health got worse and he started losing hope but due to the help of Ruth, Bronia and Jan, Edek continued searching for his mum and dad; and succeeded. He also managed to get better.
Joseph Balicki
Joseph Balicki, is the father of Ruth, Edek and Bronia. Joseph is also the headmaster of a primary school, however, he gets captured and sent to a prison camp by the Nazi's. Joseph character is very smart and brave.Due to this, he is able to escape the camp, by disguising himself as one of the soldiers from the camp.
Margrit Balicki
Margrit Balicki is the mother of Ruth, Edek and Bronia. Unfortunately she gets sent away by the Nazis. Margrit is a kind woman who loves her kids alot. She reunites with her family and meets Jan. She lovingly accepts Jan as her son.
Jan Jan is a very relatable and mysterious character because he lost his parents, and many people can understand what he is going through and people who have lost their parents or a family member can relate to Jan. Jan is a brave, silly, emotional, rough boy. Jan sometimes gets lost because he has lost he's own parents; and he is different then other children; because Jan has been living on his own stealing things and he hasn't got a teacher like the other kids. Jan who is aged 11 in this book, can also be caring and sensitive. Jan values his treasure box the most, along with the things inside of it. Jan has some unusual things kept inside the box; but his most prized possession is the silver sword. The silver sword was gifted to Jan by Joseph Balicki. Jan has a passion for animals and seems to understand them. Jan felt sad, when his cockerel Jimpy died.
Bronia Balicki
Bronia is the youngest among the three. Bronia unfortunately didn't see her parents, they were taken from her when she was 5. However due to her siblings love and care for her, she got through it and in the end they all found reunited. Ruth Balicki
Ruth is the oldest and the most responsible one. Ruth is a very brave and mature girl for her age, at the age 17 she had to face challenges when her parents were taken. Ruth had taken the responsibility of raising her siblings. She was the one who chose to go after their parents. She is never selfish and always cares for others. Ruth opened a school for students, to teach them about things and the kids love Ruth and says " she was born a teacher". Jan loves Ruth like a mother and listens to her.