Number the Stars

BILBIOGRAPHY
Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1989
ISBN: 0395-73270-0

PLOT SUMMARY
Told from the point of view of ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen, Number the Stars is a touching and heroic story about a child facing the struggles of growing up in occupied Denmark. Without an army to defend his tiny country, King Christian X had no choice but to surrender to the Nazis during World War II, changing life for all Danes in Copenhagen. Annemarie discovers many unpleasant truths about the changes that affect not only her best friend, Ellen Rosen, but also many of her other Jewish neighbors and her own view of the world. The story begins when Annemarie and her best friend, Ellen, are frightened by their first encounter with German soldiers on their way home from school. When the Nazis begin forcing Jewish families out of their homes and businesses, the Rosens go into hiding and Ellen is protected by the Johansens. Their journey to the seaside is an attempt to help the Rosens escape to nearby Sweden and also a journey to adulthood for Annmarie.  Although the story is a work of fiction, the events regarding the Nazi occupation of Denmark are based on fact. The food shortages, bombings and other heroic acts of the Resistance, and scientific discoveries that helped many Jews escape, provide an insight into the fear and struggles experienced by the Jews and the Danes who helped them.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Lois Lowry portrays a loving family whose lives are changed forever with the German occupation of Denmark. From the start, she skillfully weaves historical details of World War II and Annmarie’s difficulties of growing up in a world filled with adult responsibilities. Annmarie’s transformation into adulthood is parallel with the trip the family makes to the woods, on the boat and into Sweden. Lowry’s expert use of symbolism demonstrates Annmarie’s devotion to her friend and to her stance against the Germans. Certain elements in the story (e.g. the Star of David, the shell, the woods) represent a rite of passage, inner strength and the need to keep one’s identity hidden. Ellen’s interests in acting signify the need to keep appearances hidden and Ellen learns in earnest the importance of this dream. Number the Stars is a work of fiction but the facts are historically accurate. The information about the war that Lowry adds at the end of the book provides the reader with a point of reference to historical facts as she explains her recollection of the account retold to her by a friend. It makes the reader understand that during a time of war, struggle, risk and death are real, even if fictional characters portray the events. This is an inspiring book that can provide meaningful insights to young readers as they view the war from a child's point of view.

REVIEW EXCERPTS and AWARDS

National Jewish Book Award 1990
Newbery Medal 1990
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book 1990

School Library Journal starred review- “ The gripping story of a ten-year-old Danish girl and her family's courageous efforts to smuggle Jews out of their Nazi-occupied homeland to safety in Sweden. Readers are taken to the very heart of Annemarie's experience, and, through her eyes, come to understand the true meaning of bravery.”

Publishers Weekly-“ Set in Nazi-occupied Denmark in 1943, this 1990 Newbery winner tells of a 10-year-old girl who undertakes a dangerous mission to save her best friend.”

CONNECTONS
Additional recommended reading in historical fiction for upper elementary and middle school students:
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis 1999 ISBN: 10-0385323069
Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess 2003 ISBN: 10-0763621641
The Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery in History 2002 ISBN: 10-0689851227
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor 1991 ISBN: 10-014034893-X
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan 1985 ISBN: 10-0064402053
The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman 1987 ISBN: 10-0816710384
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare 1958 ISBN: 0-395-071143

RESOURCES
http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/fiction/a/history.htm


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http://www.librarything.com/work/33867


http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/numberthestars.html

Vardell, Sylvia. Children’s Literature in Action. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited. 2008.