Number the Stars

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lowry, Lois. NUMBER THE STARS. 1989. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 0395510600.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Annemarie Johansen and her dear friend Ellen have been playmates for years and have much in common. Yet Ellen is different in one critical way—she is Jewish. In NUMBER THE STARS, author Lois Lowry describes the bravery of one ten-year-old girl, as well as the dedication of the Danes to help the Jews during the 1943 Nazi occupation of Denmark. When German troops attempt to relocate all Jews from Denmark, the Johansens help to smuggle Ellen and her family to the safe shores of Sweden. Annemarie is at first confused by all that is happening and the tactics needed to shelter her friend. However, as her Uncle Henrik explains: “it is much easier to be brave if you do not know everything.” When the plan to bring Ellen and her family to safety is threatened, Annemarie discovers her own bravery and ultimately saves their lives.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In the 1990 Newbery Medal winning book NUMBER THE STARS, Lowry tells the gripping tale of Annemarie, a young Danish girl, who must quickly grow up when German soldiers begin to infiltrate her home of Copenhagen, Denmark. Annemarie’s neighbor and best friend is Ellen Rosen. Both girls attend the same school and spend hours playing paper dolls and running footraces together. However, in 1943, the increasing presence of Nazis threatens the safety of Ellen and her family because they are Jewish. Lowry expertly writes the urgency felt by ten-year-old Annemarie and her family as they attempt to rescue their dear neighbors. Lowry also realistically depicts the thoughts and concerns of a young girl faced with confusing and dire circumstances.

Lowry provides a frank description of the heroism many Danes displayed during the Nazi occupation without sharing the graphic horrors that are often portrayed in many books set in this time period. Through prose and dialog, Lowry provides significant background information about the historical events that occurred in 1943, helping young readers gain a clear understanding of their significance. For example, when Annemarie’s younger sister Kristi complains that she wants pink frosted cupcakes, her mother explains that “there hasn’t been any butter, or sugar for cupcakes, for a long time.” Similarly, at the beginning of the novel, Annemarie tries to understand why German soldiers have increased their presence in the city. Lowry writes: “…she knew what resistance meant…The resistance fighters were Danish people—no one knew who, because they were very secret—who were determined to bring harm to the Nazis however they could.”

The resonating theme of the novel is that heroism and selfless acts often occur during times of turmoil. Such was the story of many Danes who risked their own lives to save those of their Jewish countrymen during World War II. While Annemarie doubts her own bravery, her Uncle Henrik insists that she was courageous. He explains that “…you were very brave…you risked your life…that’s all that brave means—not thinking about the dangers.”

In an afterward, readers will be fascinated to learn that many of the events occurring in the novel are indeed factual. For example, Lowry explains that the Danes sinking their own naval fleet and the ingenious method used to thwart Nazi searches for Jews on fishing vessels are true. She also shares a letter excerpt written by an actual Danish resistance fighter, which she discovered during her research. Stories of the Danes' courage is less heralded than those of other occupied nations during World War II. Readers are sure to learn much in this short, fast-paced novel. Lowry’s riveting story provides a remarkable glimpse of the heroic acts often described during this significant period in world history.

4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

• Kirkus Review (starred): “A deftly told story that dramatizes how Danes appointed themselves bodyguards--not only for their king, who was in the habit of riding alone in Copenhagen, but for their Jews.”
  
  
• Publisher’s Weekly: "The whole work is seamless, compelling, and memorable -- impossible to put down; difficult to forget."
  
  
• School Library Journal: “Readers are taken to the very heart of Annemarie's experience, and, through her eyes, come to understand the true meaning of bravery.”
  
  
• 1990 Newbery Medal Winner
  

5. CONNECTIONS

• Recommended for readers ages 12 and up.
  
  
• There are numerous other fiction books about the Holocaust for this age group. Some examples include:
  -Baylis-White, Mary. SHELTERING REBECCA. 1991. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780525673491.
  -Drucker, Malka and Halperin, Michael. JACOB’s RESCUE: A HOLOCAUST STORY. 1994. New York: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780440409656.
  -Kerr, Judith. WHEN HITLER STOLE PINK RABBIT. When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. 1972. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780698201828.
  -Matas, Carol. LISA’S War. 2007. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN: 9781416961635.
  -Orgel, Doris. THE DEVIL IN VIENNA. 1988. New York: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated. ISBN: 9780140325003.
  -Orlev, Uri. ISLAND ON BIRD STREET. 1992. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395616239.
  -Suhl, Yuri. UNCLE MISHA’S PARTISANS: THE STORY OF YOUNG FREEDOM FIGHTERS IN NAZI-OCCUPIED EUROPE. 1975. London: Hamish Hamilton. ISBN: 9780241891575.
  

• To learn more about Lois Lowry visit her Web site and read her blog at: http://www.loislowry.com/

• Lois Lowry has written numerous books; several examples include:
  -Nine books within her ANASTASIA series and four books about Anastasia’s brother Sam (e.g., ALL ABOUT SAM).
  -Lowry, Lois. AUTUMN STREET. 1980. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395278123.
  -Lowry, Lois. FIND A STRANGER, SAY GOODBYE. 1978. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395264591.
  -Lowry, Lois. THE SILENT BOY. 2005. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN: 9780440419808.
  -Lowry, Lois. A SUMMER TO DIE. 2007. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN: 9780385734202.
  -Lowry, Lois. TAKING CARE OF TERRIFIC. 1983. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395340707.
  -Lowry, Lois. THE GIVER. 1993. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780395645666.
  -Lowry, Lois. GATHERING BLUE. 2000. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 9780618055814.
  -Lowry, Lois. MESSANGER. 2004. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 978061840441.