Number the Stars

This was a fantastic book. The characters, especially Ellen and AnneMarie,
are very brave and have a strong friendship. The plot is really exciting, because you never know if the characters will make it safely. I recommend this book because you learn a lot about history and what Jewish people had to go through when the Nazis were in Denmark. The ending was good too, but I won't give that away!

"Hold still," Annemarie commanded. "This will hurt." She grabbed the little gold chain[a Jewish star and a symbol of loyalty to her religion], yanked with all her strength, and broke it. As the door opened and light flooded the bedroom, she crumpled it into her hand and closed her fingers tightly. Terrified, both girls looked up at the three Nazi officers who entered the room." From start to finish, author Lois Lowry, will entrance you in her Newberry Award winning novel Number The Stars. This 140 page book is difficult to put down as you will become entwined in the lives of two young girls, bound by friendship and a kinship, which even the Nazis find difficult to penetrate. Published in Boston, Massachusetts by the Houghton Mifflin Company in 1989, Number The Stars is yet another Newberry winning novel by Lowry. Devastating and heart wrenching, this book will bring you to tears and will dry your eyes with the power of the individual against society. Such, conflict lies at the foundation and heart of Number The Stars.

Growing up together Ellen Rosen and Annemarie Johansen paid little attention to their physical differences and religious affiliations. At ten years old they were more interested in their dolls and sleepovers. One afternoon on the way home from school, the girls have their first encounter with a Nazi Officer. Shaken, the girls return home to the duplex where they reside, though the presence of the Nazis seemed to follow them home.

Do you know about the devastating effects of The Holocaust? Many people in our society know very little about this historical event, led by Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party, which shook Western Europe in the mid 1900s, and was the cause of death for over 11 million innocent civilians. Lois Lowry's Number The Stars allows you to step into the lives of two families, the Rosens and the Johansens, during the occupation of Denmark in 1943 by the Nazi regime. One Catholic and one Jewish, these families come together in their attempts to survive. Set in Copenhagen, Lowry captures the essence of The Holocausts and its effects on Danish citizens. Though this book focuses on the atrocities of The Holocaust, and according to the Fry Readability Scale is at a 9th grade reading level, Number The Stars could certainly be read independently by adolescents in grades 6 and up, with little difficulty. Doing some prior research on The Holocaust may help you understand the context more fully, but the story line in easily followed by readers in the aforementioned grade ranges.

Through the eyes of these 10 year old girls you are navigated through the Nazi occupation, of once neutral, Denmark, and the Danish Resistance's efforts to save its entire 7000 person Jewish population and bring them to Sweden. Though realistic fiction, Lowry brings you into a world of heart breaking facts, unthinkable tragedies and a story, which can be said to be non-fiction for many during this period in history. Lowry presents an astounding account through the lens and interpretations of Ellen and Annemarie. It is a quick and heart felt read. It is a book which will leave you thinking about the effects of war and destruction on entire countries and its citizens.

Title: Number the Stars
Publisher: Laurel-Leaf
Author: Lois Lowry
Date: 1989
Reading Level: 4.9
Pages: 137
Genre: Historical Fiction

Number the Stars is the story of a young girl growing up in Denmark at the onset of World War II. The story follows the protagonist, Annemarie, through the Nazi occupation of Denmark and chronicle the effect the occupation had on her family and close friends. The story opens as the Nazis begin thier "relocation" of Jews in Copenhagen. Annemarie's best friend, Ellen, is Jewish, so Annemarie and her family must do what's in their power to help their dear friends. With the help of those involved in the Danish resistence movement, Annemarie's family takes Ellen and her family to the seaside fishing village, Gilleleje, in an effort to get them safely to the neutral shores of Sweden. Annemarie's is a story of courage in the face of fear, and the book addresses what it means to be truly brave.
This is an engaging and touching story, especially suitable for middle level readers, but enjoyable for people of all ages. The one drawback is that while World War II and the Holocaust comprise the backdrop for the novel, very little time is spent addressing the actual history of this time period. Much background information needs to be given to young readers beginning this book. Annemarie's family faces much tragedy at the hands of the Nazis, but the truly gruesome and horrific nature of the Holocaust is never addressed. In order for young readers to truly understand the significance of this story, the missing information must be provided.
Despite that, Number the Stars is an excellent story and an engaging read. The story is filled with secrets and surprises that will keep readers turning pages. The relationships and themes are relevant for young readers, as it explores the meanings of courage and friendship. The friendship between Annemarie and Ellen is one that readers will easily identify with. This book has been a favorite of mine since elementary school and continues to be a book I love revisiting.

Title: Number the Stars
Publisher: Laurel-Leaf
Author: Lois Lowry
Date: 1989
Reading Level: 4.9
Pages: 137
Genre: Historical Fiction

This poignant book tells the story of Annemarie Johansen, who is 10 years old and her friend Ellen Rosen in Copenhagen in 1943 (near the beginning of World War II). The story shares the perspective of Annemarie, a young girl who is not Jewish, who begins to experience how Jews are treated in Denmark during the German occupation through Ellen's experience as a Jew. While Annemarie and all the people of Denmark are experiencing food shortages, rationing, and a pervasive soldier presence, Ellen's experience becomes vastly different. After a raid at their synagogue, Ellen's parents must leave immediately. Ellen moves in with Annemarie and her family, and pretends to be a part of their family. Things continue to become more dangerous, however, and both of the young girls are asked to be brave beyond their years.

While the book has an amazing story to tell, there are a few things about the book that might not appeal to some readers. One is that, for history buffs, there isn't a lot of information about the Holocaust, and very little about its politics. Because the book takes place in Denmark, the incredible violence and inhumanity of the Holocaust is not addressed. To some, this may be a positive aspect of the book (especially for younger readers), but it should be paired with some historical information for older readers. Keeping a computer nearby for internet searches would be a great idea.

Number the Stars was a favorite of mine through middle school, and a book I loved revisiting, I would not hesitate to recommend it to people of any age. Very little young adult fiction about World War II is written from a perspective like this, an innocent bystander rather than a direct victim. It is easy to relate to Annemarie as she wrestled with the normal problems of being a 10-year-old, an older sister, and a daughter in school and at home. In addition, Annemarie's questions and thoughts about what was happening to her friend are the same questions I have looking back. Why did this happen? What can I do? What is the right thing to do? These questions not only are a good reflection on what happened during World War II, but can also help as a guide to thinking about current issues in the world.

My favorite book is NUMBER THE STARS the author is Lois Lowry. The genre is historical fiction. The theme is there is a war going on and people are suffering. My favorite character is Kirsti. It's because of how she talks to the soldiers. She thinks their playing a game. She talks to them like their her friends. The writing style has a lot of action. Why I like this book is because just when the book is getting good there is a chapter. Plus it is suspenseful. There are too many questions you want to ask. You can't put the book down. This book is good for ages10-15.