Number the Stars

Lowry, L. (1989).  Number the stars.  New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Ages: 9 and up.

Genre: Historical Fiction

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“How brave are you, little Annemarie?” he asked suddenly. 

   She was startled.  And dismayed.  It was a question she did not want to be asked.  When she asked it of herself, she didn’t like her own answer. 

  “Not very,” she confessed, looking at the floor of the barn. (p. 75, 76)

Number the Stars a story based on real events is about Annemarie and Ellen, two ten year-old girls living in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1943.  Annemarie and Ellen do everything together.  Walk to school, race, play with their dolls, and dream of the cupcakes they cannot have because of the food shortages.  They are as close as sisters, yet the Nazis have just invaded Denmark and one will be saved because of her religious background.  One will not.  

How would you feel if your best friend was being hunted down because of her religion?  To what lengths would you go to keep her safe?  How far will Annemarie go to save her very best friend in the world and what will happen?  Pick up a copy Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, a story of friendship, bravery, courage, and loss,  at your local library to find out…