Marko is a gay, Roma teenage boy who lives in Berlin during World War II whose family is taken away by Nazi officers.  Marko has a background of being very reckless which brings a lot of trouble to him, his friends, and his family. Although, Marko ultimately risks his safety to help others, which makes him heroic. 

 

     Marko acts recklessly. In one example, Professor Duerr, who helped take care of Marko, Tsura (Marko’s sister) and Kizzy (Marko's Cousin) has a stroke. Marko is appointed to bring Professor Duerr to the hospital with Kizzy, but instead makes Kizzy do it by herself even though she is only 13 years old and it's an extremely dangerous time because she's Roma. “‘Take her to the hospital. Please, Kizzy.’ Suddenly her annoying cousin was pretending to be sweet. He never said please,’” (44). This incident shows that Marko does not think about how dangerous it could be for Kizzy to go to a hospital by herself especially with Nazi guards everywhere. Not thinking before he acts had dreadful consequences.

 

     However, Marko also acts boldly, especially in his relationship with Alex. When Marko and Alex are walking down the street after meeting with Tsura and realize that Alex forgot his identification papers, Marko ends up kissing Alex, “‘I dare you,’ he said. Alex kissed Marko on the mouth. Marko stumbled, scratched against his chin (82). Yet, here is another example where Marko does not fully consider the consequences of his actions. Because after they kiss, Alex gasps, and they realize that "A Nazi officer stood across the street” (83). Kissing in public is dangerous for this very reason, but Marko still dares Alex and participates in this taboo act.

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     Finally, Marko acts heroically. For example, when Tsura is caught by a Nazi while trying to rescue her parents from Marzhan and a Nazi officer puts a gun to Tsura, Marko steps up to protect her,  “Marko, hand, and knife reached forward, his blade at the Nazis throat. The officer dropped his rifle to the ground and Tsura finally could exhale... My brother saved my life,”(214). This shows another side of Marko, because he can really stand up for people and be sure that his family and friends are always safe.  

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     Marko is significant because although he is reckless and vengeful, he is still a thoughtful person who redeems himself. Author Danny Cohen is trying to show that although sometimes your emotions take over, you can still make up for it. No person is all good or all bad; their choices are more nuanced than that.