The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier

The book is a poignant tale of resilience and hope set against the backdrop of World War II. It follows the Balicki children—Ruth, Edek, and Bronia—as they are separated from their parents in war-torn Poland. When they come across a paperknife in the shape of a silver sword, it becomes a symbol of their quest to reunite with their parents who are believed to be in Switzerland. Along their harrowing journey, they encounter a diverse group of fellow refugees and face numerous challenges, but their unwavering spirit and the friendships they forge help them to overcome adversity and keep their family's bond alive across the ravages of war.

The 4924th greatest book of all time

Ranking Details:

Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:

Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.

Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:

  • Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
  • Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.

Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.

This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.

Total Points: 84

Since this book was first published in 1956, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 84.0.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.