A Review of NUMBER THE STARS

Bibliography

Lowry, Lois. 1989. Number the Stars. New York. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395510600.

Plot Summary

Best friends Annemarie and Ellen live in Copenhagen during the German Occupation. Passing German troops on their way home from school is a daily occurrence. As the Danish Resistance learns of plans to “relocate” Denmark’s Jewish population, Annemarie’s family shelters Ellen as one of their own. Escaping the midnight raids, Annemarie and Ellen, along with Annemarie’s mother and sister Kirsti, head for the fishing village of Mama’s youth. Not sure why they are there or how long they might stay, the girls suddenly find themselves in the midst of the Danish Resistance operation to smuggle most of the Jewish population of Denmark into Sweden. Annemarie discovers her own role in the operation and faces her fears to see her task to completion.

Critical Analysis

Annemarie Johansen is ten years old. She tells her five-year-old sister stories of kings and queens in their palaces, but overhears her parent’s talk of the Danish Resistance. Caught between wanting to make-believe and knowing their lives will never be the same, Annemarie is forced to grow up quickly. As she tells the story of two families caught in the German occupation of Denmark, Lowry captures the bravery and heroism even the youngest can possess.

Looking through Annemarie’s eyes, we see Nazi soldiers everywhere: on every street corner, in the train station, even on the train as they help her Jewish best friend, Ellen Rosen, escape. Through her eyes we also see the beauty of Copenhagen and her memories of better times. But, in true childhood fashion, she takes all of the changes in stride and adjusts as necessary. As her family helps the Rosen family in their escape, Annemarie realizes the gravity of the situation but never shies away from what must be done – even thinking to help remove Ellen’s Star of David pendant when Nazi soldiers come knocking on the door.

Lowry keeps the plot progressing quickly, never allowing time for the reader to grow bored. Shortly after the family’s arrival in Gilleleje, the true nature of the family’s involvement in the Rosens’ escape becomes apparent, and Annemarie’s bravery is tested. Throughout the story, Lowry portrays Annemarie as exactly what she is: a resilient ten-year-old in an unimaginable situation, but one who handles events in spite of her fear.

Lowry’s characters are completely fictional, but the events around them are true occurrences. In her afterword, she reminds us of that fact. She also reminds us that the story of Denmark must call us to dream of a future of full of human decency.

Awards and Reviews

Newbery Medal Winner

From School Library Journal - 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

Research the Danes who fled the German raids and those who assisted them.