I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944

The man isn’t dressed like a soldier: He is wearing work clothes, and his sunbaked face and roughened hands suggest he’s a farmer, the owner of the land they’re hiding on. Max places himself protectively between Zena and the stranger but then notices the man’s kind eyes. The man, named Jablonski, tells them they must move quickly, as the Nazis are already searching the farm. Moments later, they hear truck engines. When Max asks if the Nazis are after them, Mr. Jablonski explains they are hunting for those responsible for blowing up a Nazi train. Max and Zena follow Jablonski to a barn, where he hides them in the hayloft. Max realizes how brave Jablonski is for risking his life to hide Jews, knowing the penalty would be death: “[N]ot everyone had been infected by the Nazis’ hate” (26). An illustration shows Max helping Zena into the hayloft.

As they hide, the barn door bursts open, and Max sees Mr. Jablonski with three Nazi soldiers and a growling German shepherd. Hugging Zena tightly, Max listens as the soldiers explain that the dog led them to the barn. Mr. Jablonski, however, explains that the dog is attracted to the barn because many cats live there.