Number The Stars

Student Information

Author: Lois Lowry Title: Number The Stars
Genre: Multicultural Publishing Info: Yearling pp. 137

Summary: Based on some actual events. A young girl Annemarie of age 10 and her best friend are growing up in a city called Copenhagen in Denmark. The German Nazis have taken over Denmark and German soldiers march the city. The unthinkable happens her best friend Ellen and her family are going to be “relocated” by the Germans. For her safety Ellen moves in with Annemarie’s family and pretends to be apart of the family. Will their families have enough courage to survive and protect each other? Then the unthinkable happens Annemarie is on a secret mission, will she have the strength and courage to save her best friends life.

Rating: ****

Rationale: Well written, suspenseful plot, courageous and realistic characters, and believable problems that a young adult would encounter.

Teacher Information

Reading Level: 4.9 Interest Level: 4th-6th

Thematic Areas: Friendship; family; belonging; survival; courage; values; life vs. death situations

Content Areas: History; social studies; values; psychology; religion; culture

Potential Problems or Difficulties: Harsh view of life for the Danish Jews and the circumstances they endured.

Possible use in the classroom: Before reading the book have students look at the cover of the book and predict what they think will happen in the story. Have the students color and label a map locating Denmark, Copenhagen, Germany, and Sweden. Discuss with students information about World War II and the role of Hitler and the Nazis. Students will create a “Recipe for Peace”, what does it take to make peace, have students brainstorm some ideas and create a sign or poster using a recipe format. In the story there was symbols that represented different people (The Star of David, the swastika). Have the students think about their most important characteristics and create a symbol to represent it. Compare and contrast the different cultures of Germany, Jews, Danish, and Americans.