Number the Stars

Lowry, Lois. 1989. NUMBER THE STARS. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, Co. ISBN 0395510600.

Summary

In a time of 1943 during the Nazi occupation, two ten year old best friends try to live normal lives as best they can in Copenhagen, Denmark. As the Nazi regime tightens up and they begin “relocating the Jews”, Annemarie Johansen’s family secretly hides her friend Ellen Rosen from the soldiers and pretends that she is Annemarie’s older sister. Through the help of the Resistance, Ellen’s parents escape the soldiers and eventually meet up with Ellen, Annemarie, and her family at her Uncle Hendrik’s house on the coast. Before Uncle Hendrik secretly transports the Rosens and other Jews by fishing boat across the sea to Sweden where they will be safe, Annemarie discovers a package that contains a handkerchief that must accompany them on the boat. Annemarie must risk her life and deliver the package to her Uncle in order to save her friend Ellen and her family.

Critical Analysis

Beautifully written through the eyes of a ten year old child, Lowry brings life to a part of history that most have only heard about. Set back in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1943, the Nazi soldiers were found on every street corner with their helmets, cold eyes, shiny boots, and rifles. They had been there for three years and life for the Danish had been drastically different. There were food and electricity shortages, bombings, Jewish shops were being closed, and strict rules were enforced about keeping the entire city darkened at night.

Although circumstances are different, the reader can connect with Annemarie’s character. She is the little girl who is scared about the unknown, secrets her parents are keeping from her, and the uncertainty of what tomorrow will bring. Annemarie enjoys playing with paper-made dolls and telling bed-time stories to her sister and even longs of the day when she can eat pink-frosted cupcakes again. Even though she is a fictional character, Lowry makes her seems so real.

The theme of bravery is transparent throughout the book. Annemarie remembers her father had told her that the king of Denmark would protect the Danes and now her family and all of the other Danes would need to protect Ellen and the other Denmark Jews. She was frightened with the thought of dying to protect them and would she have the courage, but throughout the story Annemarie shows that when the time arises she does has courage. When Annemarie is faced with the opportunity to help her friend Ellen, she does not hesitate.

While this is a fictional story, Lowry reveals historical facts like the Jews being relocated and businesses being closed, the Danish bombing their own ships to keep the Germans from capturing them, the permeated handkerchiefs used to numb the noses of the dogs, and the nearly seven thousand Jews that were smuggled across sea to Sweden. Lowry also adds an “Afterword” chapter providing accounts of what is real and what is made up. Lowry’s story is engaging and memorable giving the reader a glimpse of what was going on without adding any violence.

Review Excerpts

Publishers Weekly review: “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.”

School Library Journal 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.”

Connections

Other titles by Lois Lowry include:

Lowry, Lois. GATHERING BLUE. ISBN 0385732562

Lowry, Lois. THE GIVER. ISBN 0440237688

Lowry, Lois. MESSANGER. ISBN 0440239125