Syvia (Sylvia) Perlmutter

Syvia Perlmutter is the main character in the novel. The novel details Syvia’s experiences while being detained in the Lodz ghetto during World War II. She is four and a half when she enters the ghetto with her parents and sister. Syvia is one day shy of her tenth birthday when she is liberated.

Syvia is the youngest daughter of Isaac and Haya. She has a sister Dora, whom she looks up to and goes to with questions about what is happening. Syvia will ask her parents as well, but she largely observes what is happening around her and comes to understanding through her interpretation.

Syvia makes friends with other girls: Hava and Itka. Syvia knows that bad things are happening around her. She is able to talk to the other girls about what is happening, such as with the smuggler, but does not want...