Book Review 14

Bibliography

Lowry, Lois. 1989. Number the Stars. New York, New York: Yearling Book. ISBN 0440403278

Plot Summary

Annemarie Johansen lives in Denmark and feels the effect of World War II and the Nazis when her best friend, Ellen, and her family, who are Jewish, are in danger. After taking in Ellen and traveling to the country, Annemarie starts to see the work of resistance fighters, though she’s not sure exactly what is happening. With grace and courage, Annemarie knows she wants to help and learns to accept only what she must know to protect those around her. Though she’s only ten, Annemarie fights her fears and helps others targeted by the Nazis escape to safety in Sweden by making a delivery that will save many lives but put hers at risk.

Critical Analysis

Lowry writes about a time in history that is incomprehensible to most adults in a way that children can understand and be engaged by. Annemarie’s story is one of courage and overcoming fear, but Lowry still manages to tell it while acknowledging the thoughts of a child. Lowry does not make the mistake of trying to teach about the entire Holocaust, instead sticking to a story about families and friends affected during this time. Her words succeed in drawing real characters, showing readers the grief of a family who has lost a child, the fear and desperation of a family forced to separate to survive, and the courage of individuals who took it upon themselves to try to help others in need. She spotlights the Danish resistance, which played a huge part in saving many lives throughout the Holocaust, and describes her setting with such detail that readers feel they are in the story.

Lowry does not take the easy way out when telling her story. Peter, a beloved resistance fighter, is executed and “the Nazis refused to return the bodies of the young men they shot” so he could not even be buried where he requested. Lowry shows all the horror of the Holocaust without graphic details or disturbing facts; she simply whispers the truths throughout the pages and leaves the reader in suspense rooting for Annemarie and her family throughout the story. In 132 pages, Lowry teaches the lesson that no matter what age or how small the task may be, everyone has the opportunity to make a difference.

In the afterword at the end of the story, Lowry tells “where fact ends and fiction begins” in the story of Number the Stars. Though the plot and characters are fictional, the historical situations in the book are accurate, and Lowry explains her research and the effect it had on her as she prepared to write this book. From learning about specific resistance fighters to researching how the Danish used the cocaine covered handkerchiefs to fool the search dogs, the historical research makes this book authentic and real to all readers.

Review Excerpts
“The whole work is seamless, compelling, and memorable -- impossible to put down; difficult to forget." Publishers Weekly
“…gripping story of a ten-year-old Danish girl and her family's courageous efforts…” School Library Journal


Connections

*Have students read Night by Elie Wiesel. Compare Elie Wiesel’s first person, non fiction account with Lois Lowry’s historical fiction telling in Number the Stars. Have students discuss and compare.
*Read play version of The Diary of Anne Frank. Have students work in groups to compare the difference in the tone and mood of both stories. Students can also compare and contrast the female protagonist and the situations they faced and share their findings with the class.