In I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944, Tarshis underscores the resilience and resourcefulness of children in extreme circumstances through the characterization of Max and his sister Zena. Living in the Jewish ghetto of Esties under Nazi occupation, Max and Zena find themselves in an incredibly hostile and dangerous environment. Their father has been arrested, their mother is dead, and they are left to fend for themselves. Despite their young age and the tragic circumstances, they show extraordinary courage and determination.

From the outset, Max shows great resilience. Although he and Zena are hungry and have no money, Max is determined not to give up. He remembers Aunt Hannah’s instructions: “Do not let them take away your hope” (7). He clings to optimism as a survival tool. In Chapter 2, when they spot a raspberry bush, Max quickly thinks to gather the berries for food, showing his ability to recognize and seize small opportunities for survival. As they escape a Nazi soldier, Max feels a sense of victory, realizing that survival is a victory against their enemies. In Chapter 11, when he finds himself stuck in a ditch, he digs himself out with a stone, showing an unyielding refusal to give up: “He refused to let the Nazis beat him—at least not without a fight” (64).