Number the Stars

Number the Stars is a fantastic book highlighting the events that took place in World War Two. I especially liked this book because of its engaging writing and well-developed characters. The writing in this book is very high quality and does a great job drawing the reader in, holding suspense, and wrapping up action in a satisfying conclusion. The author successfully introduces the plot with two carefree little girls and a very scary German soldier. The writing is efficaciously descriptive, describing Annemarie and Ellen’s hair as they run lightheartedly through the beautiful city. Creating contrast between the two characters, the author describes that Annemarie’s “silvery blond hair flew behind her” while Ellen’s “dark show more pigtails bounced against her shoulders,” foreshadowing the growing differences between the two girl’s stories later on. The description of the German officer elicits fear as they are described repetitively in twos, “there were two of them…two helmets, two sets of cold eyes glaring at her, and four tall shiny boots planted firmly on the sidewalk, blocking her path to home. And it meant two riffles, gripped in the hands of the soldiers”. This description along with their spoken language, German, in an otherwise Danish speaking setting, instantly tells the reader that they are the antagonist of the story. The characters of Annemarie and Ellen are also very well developed helping the reader to feel connected to them. Annemarie is a brave girl who will do anything for her friend, even if it frightens her, and she learns to be brave in the face of danger. Throughout the plot the author continues to hold suspense making the reader feel the fear of the characters as well as their relief in the end. Especially in the climax when Annemarie must save the escape by delivering a very dangerous package to her uncle, the reader is held in suspense wondering if she will make it safely to the docks. When the German soldier’s strop her, the reader holds their breath rooting for Annemarie’s safe release. There is also suspense for what is held in the package that the reader knows must be delivered “without fail” due to its “great importance”. Finally, when the package is delivered the relief is evident in Henrik’s voice and on his face and it is repeated over and over that everything is all right, everything is well, the people are safe, and that they will live. This gives way to a satisfying conclusion for the reader to know that the Jews have safely escaped. The big message of this story is that bravery is doing something even if it frightens you because it is the right thing to do. Annemarie is frightened the whole time of the German soldiers and most importantly that her friend Ellen and her family will be caught. However, instead of acting in fear and hiding from them, she takes a brave role in their escape, risking her life to help them, and taking her own step in the “resistance” against the Nazis. As a historical fiction book, the reader is encouraged to place themselves in the story and imagine, would they have done the same thing as Annemarie? Could they have acted in the way that the character did, as well as real Danish people in the past? This theme is meaningful and teaches a great lesson of humanity. show less

This book goes straight to my list of top reads for the year, and is another fantastic example of children's fiction that confronts heavy issues head on. Lowry writes about the Holocaust in a way that is accessible for children, and still moving for adults.

Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen is the protagonist of Number the Stars, a short novel set in 1943 Denmark. Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, is Jewish; up until now, the Nazis, who occupied Denmark from 1940 until the end of the war, had left Danish Jews alone. In October of 1943, however, word was leaked to the Jewish community that they would soon be "relocated" by the Germans. Like many Danish families, Annemarie's parents and uncle plan to send their Jewish friends to safety show more in unoccupied Sweden. Soon Annemarie is called upon to demonstrate her bravery, as she must play a role in saving the life of her friend.

Lowry places Annemarie in a realistic situation - Annemarie does her part to help Ellen and her family, and the role that she plays is one that suits a ten-year-old. I really dislike it when characters in children's novel act like adults, but in Number the Stars Annemarie has thoughts typical of someone her age. She is scared by Nazi soldiers, and knows that Ellen's situation is serious, but that does not stop her and Ellen from laughing and having fun too. She struggles with the idea of courage, but learns that being afraid does not make one a coward - instead, being courageous is taking action despite being afraid.

Number the Stars was a wonderful book for a very rainy, grey day - it is a touching book about courage, friendship, and hope, and is sure to bring the reader some sunshine. 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

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

"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

This really was a very eye-opening book. The characters were very well developed and represented. Each character had a depth to them that was deep enough to add to the story. For example, the older sister Lise had a backstory even though she wasn't a present character in the story- she was a part of the secret group that was trying to get rid of the Nazis in Denmark. Not only Lise, but her fiance (Peter) was also a vital behind-the-scenes character who was a part of this group and also aided the Jews in their escape to Sweden. Especially the character development for Annemarie was significant. As she found out more and more about the underground workings of the secret group that was saving her friend and her family, Annemarie became show more even more clever and brave to help in what every way she could- a prime example is when she was running to bring the basket with the envelope to Uncle Henrik before he left with the Rosen's and she ran into a few Nazis that gave her a little bit of trouble and she acted innocent as if her little sister would have. The other part of this book that really made it such a good read was the delicate way the author portrayed and shed light on what it would've been like in Denmark during World War II. It's easy enough to say that the Nazis terrorized the citizens and treated the Jews unfairly, but to actually be experiencing it through the characters, and children at that, was eye-opening. From the kind of casualties of war like not having luxuries such as butter and coffee, to having stores shut down and families get taken based on what their religious belief was, it was hard to imagine having to actually go through the kinds of situations that Annemarie and her family did, and with fear for their lives when they were trying to save innocent people was humbling and awakening. In the end, I believe that the message of this book is that you should always be brae and stand up against injustice, even if it means risking your life. Millions of people were killed in the Holocaust, and I imagine that if almost all of the citizens stood up against the Nazis, it wouldn't have gotten as far as it did. show less