Satan from the Seventh Grade facts for kids

Satan from the 7th grade (Polish: Szatan z siódmej klasy) is a popular book for young people written by Polish author Kornel Makuszyński. It was first published in 1937. Even though the term "young adult book" didn't exist back then, this story is perfect for readers aged 12 to 15.

This book is a true classic in Poland. It has been printed for many decades, no matter what changes happened in the country. It's also well-loved in other countries, like Israel, where it has been translated into Hebrew.

The title "Seventh Grade" refers to the Polish school system at the time the book was written. The main character, Adam, is about 17 years old, which would be like being in the 11th grade in some other countries.

The Clever Detective: Adam Cisowski

Adam Cisowski is the main character of the story. He is a very smart and quick-thinking high school student. People even call him "devilishly clever," which is why he's the "satan" in the title!

During his summer holiday, Adam visits an old country house. This house belongs to "The Professor," who is a kind but a bit disorganized historian. The Professor's family needs help because they don't have much money.

A Hidden Treasure Mystery

The adventure begins when they discover a secret! An officer from Napoleon's army, who was helped by the Professor's family long ago, might have left a hidden treasure. This treasure would be a huge help for the family today.

The French officer left behind a tricky trail of clues. Only Adam's sharp mind can figure them out. Adam is excited to take on this challenge. He wants to help his hosts and also impress Wanda, the Professor's lovely niece.

Following the Clues

Adam follows the puzzling clues throughout the book. He uses hints from old writings, like parts of Dante's famous poem, Inferno. It's like a big puzzle that only Adam can solve.

But Adam isn't alone in his search. A group of unfriendly people also know about the treasure. They are determined to find it for themselves. Adam has to be very careful and clever to stay ahead of them. It's a bit like a game of cat and mouse!

The Missing Door Clue

At one point, the treasure hunt seems to hit a dead end. A very important clue was written on an old door, but the door is gone! Adam soon learns that this door was used a long time ago. It helped carry a wounded person during the Polish uprising against Russian rule in 1863.

After that, the door was placed in a village church. Adam bravely goes to the church, finds the door, and writes down the missing clue. This shows how determined he is!

Finding the Treasure

Finally, Adam finds the treasure! But before he does, he plays a smart trick on the people who were following him. He lets them "steal" a heavy old barrel that they think is full of treasure. But it's actually just worthless metal!

The unfriendly group struggles to open the barrel. They start arguing and suspecting each other. Soon, the police arrive and take them away.

The real treasure is much lighter and was hidden in a stork's nest. It's a small bag filled with beautiful jewelry. This treasure is more than enough to help the Professor and his family. In the end, Adam looks at the sparkling jewels, then at Wanda's eyes. He thinks her eyes are "more precious than all treasures in the world."