When The World Was Ours

Leo and his mother spend weeks trying to gather the correct forms to be able to leave Austria, but no matter what they do, they are told that they did something wrong and are denied. They realize that this pattern is a clear attempt to prevent them from leaving the country. One particular caveat requires them to have a sponsor elsewhere who is willing to house them, and this restriction makes Leo’s mama want to give up hope. While Leo wants to keep trying, he has no choice but to go along with her decision. When they receive a letter from Papa, who is imprisoned, the letter claims that life is great for Papa and that he is treated well. Leo knows that something is wrong and suspects that his papa means just the opposite of everything he has said. Suddenly, Leo remembers the Ferris wheel ride and the note from Mr. and Mrs. Stewart. With hope in his eyes, Leo asks his mother to write the Stewarts, asking for their help. His mother is reluctant but agrees, and Leo is glad that they are making another attempt to leave the country.

Max awakens before dawn to shine his shoes again. He is excited to be going on his first Hitler Youth retreat—an entire weekend of camping, marching, and building fires. All weekend long, Max excels at each task and enjoys every second of the event. He stands out and is given a medal as the “Best Boy at Camp” (134). All the boys hoist him above their shoulders and cheer for him, and Max is suddenly reminded of the Ferris wheel, when he felt like he was on top of the world. There is a disconnect between that memory and Max’s current life, so he banishes the thought immediately.

The letter from the Stewarts arrives, and both Leo and his mama are nervous to open it. Leo’s mama puts the moment off as long as possible, and then they sit down together while Leo opens the letter to begin reading.

Elsa’s parents talk among themselves quietly all the time, and Elsa and her brother try to eavesdrop but cannot discern what is happening. Finally, they decide to ask their parents directly, and Elsa wants to know if their parents plan to leave her and Otto. Elsa’s parents insist that they have no plans to abandon their children, but they realize it is time to tell Elsa and Otto about their plans.

Within Stewarts’ letter is the promise to help Leo and his mother any way that they can. Leo and his mother can hardly believe it. They hug one another, feeling both relieved and distraught at the idea of leaving Papa behind in Austria. Leo assures his mother that Papa would want them to leave, and that he would hate to know they had a chance to leave but refused. Leo’s mother comments on his wisdom, asking, “When did you grow into such a sensible young man?” (142). Leo reflects that he has had little choice in the matter. By the end of the day, they have obtained their visa to travel.

Elsa is in shock. She is certain she must be mistaken when she learns that her parents are sending her and Otto out of the country without them. Elsa’s mother insists that the state of the country, especially for Jews, is terrible now; it is no longer safe for Elsa and her brother to be there. Elsa’s parents tell them that they will be leaving in a few days. They will take a train to Holland and a boat to England. They are not allowed to tell anyone about the plan to leave, and Elsa and Otto have no choice but to agree. Elsa cannot bring herself to admit the reality that is unfolding before her; she can hardly belief that her family’s lives are in danger.

Leo is still in disbelief that he and his mother may be saved. They each pack a single suitcase, both stamped with a “J” for “Jew,” and Leo makes sure to pack the photograph of the day at the Ferris wheel. Staring at it again, he reflects that it seems like a different life, and he can’t imagine feeling that sense of freedom and joy anymore. On top of that, he knows that the simple kindness that his papa showed the Stewarts has turned into something life-changing.

Elsa and Otto are hurried out in the middle of the night to catch the train to Holland. Elsa continues to hope that it is all just a bad dream, but soon the family arrives at the train station. Elsa’s parents cry as they promise to think of their children every day and to find them when the war is over. One of the family’s friends, Mr. Janek, approaches the family out of breath and tells them that the trains have stopped because war has been declared. It is no longer safe to transport children, and Elsa and her family will have to go back home. The thought of staying together is a relief for them all, but nobody is certain what will happen next. Otto hopes that once the war is won, people will be able to return to their ordinary lives again. Elsa holds onto the belief that this will be true.

Leo and his mother reach the German border on the train, and their passports are double-checked before they are sent to the back carriage, which is labeled “Dogs, Jews, and Gypsies” (157). Leo’s mother is filled with shame as they climb into the carriage, which contains only crates and is devoid of chairs. She talks to a Romani woman who is also on her way to Holland to escape persecution. Leo thinks about Elsa and Max and wonders if they are still safe. When the train stops again, everyone is pulled out roughly by the guards and sent to a lineup. Leo and his mother are interrogated and strip-searched, which is humiliating and degrading to them both. Leo’s mother tries to argue, but he pleads with her to follow along. They catch the next train just before it leaves, and they succeed in leaving Germany. Leo thinks of his papa and hopes that he would be proud to know that he was able to get his mother out of the country safely.

Max wakes up for an important day that he has been looking forward to for months. His father is taking him to the concentration camp in Dachau. Max dresses in his uniform, including his swastika band, and is driven to the camp. All of Max’s friends were jealous to hear of his plans to visit Dachau, and Max himself is thrilled; he is not yet aware of the atrocities that he is about to witness. Upon entering the grounds, Max follows orders and looks to his father for guidance and instruction, hoping to “be just like him one day” (170). Max is excited to be offered a chance to see the midday roll call. He notices that all the fences are electric and that there are soldiers everywhere. When his father points to the barracks “where the workers live” (171), Max is confused, for he assumed that the workers were German soldiers. His father corrects him, explaining that the workers are Jews, along with many other groups deemed inferior by the Nazis (such as gay people, Roma, people with disabilities, people who have committed crimes). Max’s father considers it a public service to keep these people out of daily life. Max’s conscience pains him, but he ignores the feeling and suppresses it to the point that he forgets it is there.

The prisoners of the camp, a large group of men, come out for roll call, and Max watches intently. Men who do not call out their number quickly enough are punched in the stomach, and Max’s father is energized by seeing the prisoners in such a state. The men are served cold porridge, and one of them recognizes Max. Feeling suddenly offended, Max looks at the man and cannot place him at first because the man’s teeth are rotting and he is covered in dirt. The man introduces himself as Mr. Grunberg (Leo’s father), and Max cannot believe it. He thinks that there must be some mistake because Mr. Grunberg was always filled with light. When Mr. Grunberg smiles at Max, the boy finally recognizes him, but Max denies it and steps away. For the rest of his day, Max tries to ignore any memories of his former life.

Elsa awakens to the sound of arguing and follows her brave brother down the stairs to see what is happening. They find their parents, along with a group of soldiers who claim to be commandeering their home. Otto tries to protest, and even Elsa questions the logic of the situation. After having moved so many times, she has only just started to find a home here. One of the soldiers spots some candlesticks and grabs them, saying he plans to give them to a woman. Elsa’s Vati pleads with him to take anything but the candlesticks, as they are a family heirloom and a source of comfort. The soldier pauses for a moment but decides against empathy and reminds Elsa’s family that they no longer own anything. They are told that they have one night to pack and be out of the house. Elsa is only comforted by the fact that her house no longer feels like home after being ransacked in such a way. With this mindset, she has no home to leave, so she has nothing to miss.

Leo and his mother are living with the Stewarts, and life is relatively safe for them, but Leo is outcast and bullied at school. Everyone assumes that he is German and a Nazi. He manages to learn English, but he constantly expects his life to be uprooted or for him to be singled out in class at any moment. He lives in a state of worry and fear and hides his inner turmoil from his mother. On the bus one day, Max sits beside a boy named Daniel and finds out that they are both Jewish. Daniel notes that he does not get teased for being Jewish and has plenty of friends, and Leo can barely believe what he is hearing. He tells himself that he needs to give life another chance. He is grateful to have found a friend in Daniel.