Milkweed

Misha is described as a short and scrawny boy. He runs extremely quickly due to his size and is around eight years old at the beginning of the novel. Misha is described as having darker skin and black eyes. He has gone by many names, some of which include Stopthief, Misha Pilsudski, Gypsy, Jew, and Jack Milgrom. Misha is orphaned at an extremely young age and therefore knows nothing about himself. Misha’s real name, his background, and his family history remain a mystery.

Misha is characterized by his childish innocence, his kindheartedness, and his stubbornness. For most of the novel, Misha is ignorant to the Holocaust’s machinations. As a young child, Misha does not understand the violent prejudice he witnesses. Despite Misha’s difficult childhood, he remains empathetic toward the struggles of others. Misha frequently smuggles food for the Milgroms and Doctor Korzcak’s orphans without regard for his own safety. Misha’s identity evolves through the novel, and he desperately seeks somewhere he can belong. He finds a home with Uri and the orphan boys, and also with the Milgroms. After they are gone, however, Misha is lost. He is forced to re-evaluate his own identity. At the conclusion of the novel, Misha finally has a title that he can call his own: “Poppynoodle” (162).