Number the Stars

This middle grade historical fiction, about the Nazi occupation of Denmark, was an emotional and poignant read. Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen lives in Copenhagen with her family. When the German troops make plans to ‘relocate’ the Jews of Denmark she is caught up in helping save her best friend, Ellen. I love the books of Lois Lowry and this one is no exception. The story is beautifully told and tugs at the heartstrings. The author plays around with the concept of story, moving between fairytale and real life at crucial points, raising questions as to what it truly means to be brave. I’m glad to have this classic on my shelf.

Number the Stars is a quick middle-grade/young adult read and yet it is a powerful one. The best historical fiction, from my perspective, pulls you quickly into the world of the characters AND leaves you educated on a time period or event in surprising ways. This book accomplished both and I think the kudos such as winning the Newberry are well-deserved. I knew nothing about what played out in Denmark during the Nazi occupation and learned some amazing facts. And at the heart of the story is the friendship of two young girls trying to preserve their friendship while making sense of the danger unfolding around them.

I highly recommend this book for young readers and grown-ups alike.

I had to read this one to fit a challenge I was taking part in – had to find a book set in Denmark, and my options for that were slim. I’m happy I chose this classic children’s story – it left a positive and lasting impression on many for a good reason. It mainly focuses on Annemarie Johnansen and her parents helping another family during the dreadful Nazi period in 1943. Apparently her uncle is part of an underground support group for Jews in the area as well. Despite it being such a dark period in history, reading about the experiences – especially with people who make a difference – are interesting.

The author keeps it relatively short due to the age group, but a full fledged story happens in the 137 pages. The beauty of show more the title is tied into scripture verses relating to the stars, as the main character sits in wonder and asks herself how it would be possible for someone to be able to number the stars. The drugged handkerchief helping throw off the scents from hunting dogs was a new one by me.

The simplistic writing style fits well with children’s fiction but the author has a healthy hand with foreshadowing and putting a lot of hope into the words. Not everything is realistic but that’s not unusual with Historical children’s fiction either.

It may inspire blurry eyes a time or two, but it’s not overly depressing - there’s a redeeming hope. It would be a good introduction for children who aren’t quite ready for the excellent but little dryer Diary of Anne Frank or older, more explicit holocaust fiction and non-fiction they may not be fully mentally ready for. show less

Number the Stars is an important book that begs the question "are you brave?" to not only its intended young audience, but also everyone of all ages. I read this book as a girl in elementary school, but it's life lesson has stuck with me throughout the years. I have fostered a lifelong interest in anything World War II. It left me thinking about what I would do it in each of the character's shoes. Number the Stars focuses on the life of Annemarie, who is 10, during the second world war. She lives in Denmark and has a Jewish best friend, which she is learning is a dangerous thing, not only for her friend, but for her own family. When her family decides to help out her best friend, Ellen, and her parents, Annemarie must ask herself what show more was she willing to risk to make sure her friend is safe? What is right and what is wrong? And why are there so many secrets? This book is a must read for people of every age. show less

I must have read this too young, because I remember being confused by the title vs themes, and I must have been 8 or 9, but didn't actually remember the plot at all. Maybe something about two friends on a sidewalk? but that could have been fun the cover. I also definitely thought Copenhagen was in the Netherlands at the time!

Anyway, I recently watched the Danish series "Seaside Hotel" which spans 15 years over nine seasons, ending in 1945. Some of the plotlines involved the Danish Resistance, and eventually remembered this book and thought to revisit it. It's a bit oblique about the war, avoiding anything too scary or traumatic. Meant for middle grade readers, the themes are mostly about personal bravery and fear, and how being afraid show more doesn't mean you aren't brave.

I definitely did not understand the urgency of sending Ellen and her family to Sweden when i was a kid, but I probably did take in the message about fear, because it felt very familiar. And now that I know more of the context, the fear for the Rosens and Johansens had a lot more meaning. Perhaps this book is better read alongside introductory lessons to the Holocaust, rather than in isolation as I did. show less

"the gift of a world of human decency"

It's September 1943, three years since German forces seized control of Denmark. Nazi soldiers patrol the streets and control the government, hospitals, schools, newspapers, and rail system; possessing an illegal newspaper like The Free Danes might very well get you killed. Copenhagen is under an 8PM curfew, and supplies are strictly rationed. And now, three years later, the Nazis are just beginning to "relocate" Jewish citizens, the way they have in so many other occupied territories.

But the Danish government received warning, which it passed on to Jewish religious leaders. Thanks to one German high official - not to mention countless courageous Danes - most of Denmark's 7,000 Jewish citizens were show more smuggled to safety in Sweden. In just a matter of weeks. Right under the occupiers' noses.

Against this backdrop, Lois Lowry weaves a story of courage and compassion that's only partially a work of fiction. When word comes that they're in danger, the Rosen family sends their only daughter, ten-year-old Ellen, to stay with family friends the Johansens: Ellen's best friend Annemarie, her little sister Kirsti, and their parents. When Nazi soldiers come knocking, Ellen poses as the Johansens' dead daughter Lise. Afraid of arousing the soldiers' suspicions, the women travel to stay with Inge's brother, Henrik, who lives by the sea. Before the war is over, young Annemarie will find her resolve tested. Will she undertake a dangerous mission in order to save her friend Ellen - or will she succumb to her fear of the soldiers?

Suitable for children, but also rich with adult meaning, Number the Stars is a beautiful and moving story about courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Lowry peppers her story with fairy tale elements - particularly during Annemarie's mission - making a potentially upsetting book that much more palatable to younger and more sensitive readers. And by viewing wartime occupation through the eyes of a child, we gain insight into how those of different ages processed and coped with the traumatic events unfolding around them.

(It kind of breaks your heart when Annemarie observes that the soldiers mostly escape five-year-old Kirsti's notice: "For Kirsti, the soldiers were simply part of the landscape, something that had always been there, on every corner, as unimportant as lampposts, throughout her remembered life.")

Bravery isn't the absence of fear, as Annemarie learns, but the will to overcome it, no matter the cost. Through their Resistance, the Danish people did indeed give "the gift of a world of human decency."

http://www.easyvegan.info/2014/04/09/number-the-stars-by-lois-lowry/ show less

Annemarie Johansen doesn't really understand why she has to pretend that her friend Ellen is her sister. Or why Ellen's parents have to leave without her. But when Annemarie's parents and uncle try to help Ellen's family and some other Jewish people in Denmark flee to a safer country, Annemarie knows it's important and will do anything she can to help, even if it's dangerous.

I really appreciate that in so few pages and in language kids can understand and get into, Lowry not only paints a vivid picture of the danger and fear that those who lived in Nazi-occupied countries dealt with, but also touches on the resistance offered by non-Jews living in Denmark. I also liked seeing the love and loyalty the Danes had for their king, which is show more something most American's can fully understand, and the way the scientific community pulled together to help save lives.

Many of us remember reading this book for school, though I didn't remember it nearly as well as I thought (or maybe I was thinking about a different book the whole time, though if so, I can't pin down what it was). Required reading or not, this is a good book to introduce young readers to the darkness that many in Europe faced during WWII. show less