Yanek's Journey by Amy Hulderman

Kraków, Poland

huldera — 2021-12-09 13:51:41 UTC

Yanek's Literal Journey
Yanek and his family live in Krakow, Poland. But in just a blink of an eye, their city was invaded by the Germans beginning WWII. For now, Yanek and his family remain in Krakow. For a little while they stay in their flat with several other families. Anti-Semitic rules have been put in place that persecute Jewish people, taking away any rights they had. Over time, walls are built up around the ghetto to contain the remaining Jews who have not been taken for resettlement or deportation yet. One-by-one many Jews were relocated to other Jewish ghettos, work camps, concentration camps or were killed on site.

Yanek's Figurative Journey
With the stress of no food, and constant hiding, Yanek is living in fear of being caught by the Nazis. His emotional state is one of constant terror and panic at what awaits him at every turn. The unknown aspects of the war leave a feeling of being unsettled. Yanek's early life as a 10 year old boy before the war was very normal. He attended school, played with friends, and went to the synagogue with his family. He loves his Mom and Dad and look up them but as the war continues Yanek begins to doubt his fathers constant hopefulness and positivity and wonders who is really right- his father or Uncle Moshe. "I still worried he was wrong, but fresh bread made me forget all my troubles. For a little while, at least." (pg. 25) Doubting your parents for the first time is a struggle for Yanek especially in war-torn Poland.

Trzebinia, Poland

huldera — 2021-12-09 13:52:03 UTC

Yanek's Literal Journey
A little while after working at the Wieliczka Salt Mine, Yanek was deported to the Trzebinia concentration camp. The work the prisoners had to complete at Trzebinia was unnecessary. They were also treated brutally by the Nazi Soldiers who played terrible tricks, and mind games on the prisoners. Some of the "work" that had to be completed was moving heavy stones from one side of the camp to another side. Then having to move them back, while the soldiers taunted you. If you moved too slow, or didn't carry a big enough rock the Nazi's would punish you by hitting you with clubs, and sometimes even worse.
Yanek's Figurative Journey
At Trzebinia, Yanek and his fellow prisoners were forced into brutal, and hard labor. This took a toll a Yanek. He was angry at the Nazi's. But even more angry with his fellow prisoners. He was angry none of them fought back. He believed if they all worked together they could take down the Nazi's and possibly escape. He believed this plan could work, until he witnessed a prisoner get in a fight with a Nazi. Yanek thought this was this moment they could fight back, and try to escape. Until the man fighting was shot in the head. The angry soldier then chose innocent prisoners at random, killing them for the other mans actions. Due to this, Yanek decided it's better to die quiet. Instead of other innocent people dying from his actions.

Płaszów, Kraków, Poland

huldera — 2021-12-09 13:52:14 UTC

Yanek's Literal Journey
Yanek was deported from his home, The Krakow Ghetto as he came home from work at the tailor factory. Yanek and many other soldiers were loaded into a truck and were brought a few kilometers away to the the Plaszow Concentration Camp, Yanek is surrounded by many guards with guns and realized that he could not resist. Because he would be easily overpowered and killed by the savage guards. He was soon told he would be working in the tailor shop a couple kilometers away from the camp.
Yanek's Figurative Journey
At this point Yanek has experienced terrible loss of his entire family. When he first entered Plaszow he sees his Uncle Moshe. This is very exciting for Yanek because now he knows he is not alone. In excitement Yanek yells out to him. Soon after realizing his mistake as the prisoner behind him is shot to death. Uncle Moshe explains to Yanek, that if he wants to survive he cannot have a personality, or show feelings, and he must be invisible. Yanek's new life in the camp is filled with loneliness, and isolation. He feels alone with hardly no family left. And now food is even more scarce than ever before. The prisoners were living on little to no food at all. Soon after him arrival in Plaszow, Yanek's Uncle Moshe had fallen victim of Amon Goeth. Now, Yanek is truly the last of his family, and is alone in Plaszow.

Wieliczka Salt Mine, Daniłowicza, Wieliczka, Poland

huldera — 2021-12-09 13:52:32 UTC

Yanek's Literal Journey
Yanek was one of fifty at roll call, to be loaded onto a truck. The Nazi's gave them no explanation of what was going on, or where they were going. Soon Yanek and the other prisoners would realize they were being transported to a new work camp. After the Nazi's unloaded them from the truck they joined another group of prisoners who were also transported from somewhere else. Yanek and the other prisoners soon figure out they've been transported to a work camp called Wieliczka.
Yanek's Figurative Journey
Soon enough Yanek and the other prisoners were brought down and elevator into the Wieliczka Salt Mine. After years of living in the fifth and horrible conditions the war caused, Yanek was amazed that there was still such beauty in the world, after he was shown the chandeliers, and statues made of frozen salt. During Yanek's time at Wieliczka Salt Mine he did very hard labor; breaking off chunks of salt with a pickax all day long. Only to have to do it day after day. His meals only consisting of watery broth, stale bread, and lukewarm coffee.

Kraków, Poland

huldera — 2025-11-03 18:27:16 UTC

Ch. 1-8

Płaszów, Kraków, Poland

huldera — 2025-11-03 18:27:38 UTC

Ch. 9-12

Wieliczka Salt Mine, Daniłowicza, Wieliczka, Poland

huldera — 2025-11-03 18:28:36 UTC

Ch. 13