Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry, is the story of ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her life growing up in Nazi occupied Copenhagen. When the Johansen's discover that the Nazi's are "relocating" the Jews, their efforts with the Resistance progress to help some of the Jews escape to neutral Sweden. Annemarie and her best friend Ellen, whom is Jewish, must both learn to be brave under the most atrocious circumstances.
Idea for Lesson Plan:
As a teacher, I would use this book to teach about human decency. As a class we would discuss the Holocaust, and read about other "less known" heroes during that time.
Critique:
Number the Stars is the story of Annemarie Johansen, a ten-year-old girl growing up in Nazi occupied Denmark as a Lutheran. Annemarie is an inquisitive, comforting, brave young girl. Lowry shows through dialogue and actions. Throughout the book, Annemarie questions the motive of the Nazi’s and why they are in her country. In a conversation with her father, Annemarie questions, “Papa, sometimes I wonder why the king wasn’t able to protect us. Why didn’t he fight the Nazi’s so that they wouldn’t come into Denmark with their guns (15)?” Her father then goes on to describe that Denmark has only a few soldiers, and would never be able to stand up to the Nazi’s. Annemarie then realizes that the Nazi’s are not in Sweden. This realization will become a pivotal fact to the story.
Annemarie is also comforting. When Ellen, Annemarie, and Kristi get stopped by the Nazi’s, Annemarie tries to make it sound like it was no big deal when her mother finds out what happened. Annemarie says, “Don’t worry. It wasn’t anything (7).” The text then goes on to explain Annemarie’s actions, “She told her mother and Mrs. Rosen of the incident, trying to make it sound humorous and unimportant (7).” There are many examples of Annemarie’s comforting ways throughout the novel. When she comforts Ellen after the Nazi’s have invaded their home, when her mother breaks her ankle at Uncle Henrik’s, and when she tells stories to her younger sister Kristi, among others.
Number the Stars takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark during World War II. The setting is integral to the story because it is about two young girls who are best friends; one is Lutheran and one is Jewish. Since Copenhagen was occupied by the Nazi’s during the war, Annemarie and Ellen would not have been able to be friends. Ellen would have been at risk to be sent to the concentration camps that were scattered throughout Europe. The beginning of the novel, paints a picture of idyllic Copenhagen, Lowry describes the scenery as Ellen and Annemarie are racing through the streets, “…past the small shops and cafes of her [Annemarie] neighborhood here in northeast Copenhagen. Laughing, she skirted an elderly lady in black who carried a shopping bag made of string. A young woman pushing a baby in a carriage moved aside to make way (2).” In these few sentences, Lowry describes Copenhagen through the eyes of an unaffected youth. As the story progresses, the Nazi’s presence is more apparent; they seem to be everywhere! The Nazi’s are on the train, they are in the country; they are even at the fishing docks. This shows that Ellen, her family, and all the Jews in Copenhagen are at risk. True to history, Lowry captures occupied Copenhagen with accuracy.
The theme of Number the Stars is not only bravery, but also human decency. Thousands of Jewish people escaped Nazi occupied Denmark with the help of ordinary concerned citizens. Without the bravery and compassion exhibited by “the Resistance” many Jewish people’s fate would have been in the Nazi’s hands. Courage and acceptance are revealed through the actions of Annemarie, her family, and the Resistance. Number the Stars teaches an important lesson about tolerance and open-mindedness.
Number the Stars. ISBN 0-440-40327-8. Lois Lowry. 1999. Newbery Medal. Ages 10+. Historical Fiction.
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