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Number the Stars
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Number the Stars
Unavailable
Number the Stars
Ebook140 pages2 hours

Number the Stars

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this ebook

As the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen’s family takes in Annemarie’s best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family.

Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war.

Winner of the 1990 Newbery Medal.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherClarion Books
Release dateApr 24, 1989
ISBN9780547345444
Unavailable
Number the Stars
Author

Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry is the author of more than forty books for children and young adults, including the New York Times bestselling Giver Quartet and the popular Anastasia Krupnik series. She has received countless honors, among them the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, the California Young Reader Medal, and the Mark Twain Award. She received Newbery Medals for two of her novels, Number the Stars and The Giver.

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Reviews for Number the Stars

Rating: 4.190455714734718 out of 5 stars
4/5

3,468 ratings280 reviews

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A fictional account of how the Danes saved their Jewish population from the Nazis. Focuses on 2 Danish families.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Denmark in the occupation of WWII. Lois Lowry has created a story, based on true accounts, of how the Danish people lived, helped their fellow citizens, and saved their Jews from the viewpoint of a 10-year old girl, Anne Marie.A very fast, satisfying read that had me questioning my own humanity and what I would have done in Annemarie’s place. WWII may have been 70 years in the past but if we don’t know about the past there is the danger we will repeat the same mistakes. The Danish story is important because as a nation they did not give up their humanity or decency.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A fictional account of how the Danes saved their Jewish population from the Nazis. Focuses on 2 Danish families.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I love this book. It is one of the many books that I have read many times. The first time I read this book was when I was a teenager and it became on of my favorite books. I love the character and the storytelling in this book.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book is a great historical fiction piece for teaching about the devastation of WW II. This book contains the wonderful message of having courage to fight for what's right and helping ones friends. I also love that the perspective of the story is that of a ten-year-old girl. This is the age that I want to teach and this book would give my students the ability to imagine what their own experiences at this time would be like. Thus, this book makes WW II seem more real than learning about it solely via a textbook.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    WWII during the Holocaust in Copenhagen, the story talks about how jews were treated so badly and how much they suffered. A little girl named Ellen in particularly in this book. Similar to the story of Anne Frank. Personal Reaction: This book makes me so sad, but thankful for what I have today. And thankful that our country is not like that. It is especially interesting to me since I lived in Germany for almost three years and visited the first concentration camp called Dachau. This book could be introduced to students very carefully with parnets permission of course. Classroom Extensions: I would have my students write a memorial essay for all of the concentration camp and Holocaust victims, and we would have them mailed to a memorial in Germany. I would also have my students draw a picture of how they imaginied these families living during the Holocaust.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    "Number the Stars" is basically about a young girl, Annemarie and her family who assist Jews in Denmark to escape Nazi Relocation. I thought the book was very well written and interesting. Every time I read another book about the Holocaust, it just amazes me how incredibly evil we can be as a society, but at the same time I am extremely encouraged by the countless people like Annemarie and her family (although fictional) who put everything on the line to save others. I have read several Holocaust themed books. In my opinion this is not the best, however it is still a phenomenal book and a mandatory read for its genre!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This great historical fiction book describes the lives of young girls during the holocaust and their experiences. You can see the difference between the lives for the family who is Jewish and the family who is not. These families work together to try and keep the Jewish family safe. it shows friendship and how we we will do anything to keep our families close.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great young adult book! I learned a bit more about the WWII era.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    A nice read about two friends--one Jewish, the other Christian--trying to survive in Nazi-occupied Denmark. This is a wonderful tale of friendship and courage, with a bit of suspense, and is a good way to introduce World War II to middle school readers. Though Number the Stars is not as exceptionally written as Lowry's The Giver (which I compare all of her books to), it is still fairly high-interest while remaining comprehensible to less able readers. There is just enough new vocabulary to challenge struggling readers, yet the story is not lost in the midst of "big words". Though other books may exhibit the trials of WWII more thoroughly, Number the Stars gives a pleasant tale from the point of view of an young outsider only trying to do what is right.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book would be an excellent resource to introduce students to the holocaust in an honest but not brutal way. It is also helpful in sharing Denmark's role in the escape of many Jews to safety.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Number the Stars is a beautiful story about a girl named Annemarie and her friend Ellen during WWII in Denmark. It follows the timeline of the Nazi occupation there and their growing hostility toward the Jewish people. The plot describes Annemarie's family and their attempt to successfully smuggle Ellen and her family to neutral Sweden. The true history of the way the Danish people took their Jewish citizens into their homes, arms, and hearts is as beautiful as it is inspirational. Expertly written, this book is a must read for adults and children alike. This would fit in beautifully in a WWII unit narrowing in on stories and books about the holocaust. Many of the true elements of the story could spark further interest in and research on this time in Denmark's history. In addition, Number the Stars could start a discussion about creating a world that (as Lowry quotes in her afterword) has an ideal for human decency that is not narrow-minded or prejudiced.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    It's interesting how many novels about the Nazis are written from the point of view of a child. This is no exception: Annemarie is a 10-year-old girl living in 1943 Copenhagen, which Germany invaded years before. Her best friend Ellen is a Jew, and one day her parents flee to avoid "relocation." Annemarie's parents take in Ellen and have her pose as their daughter. There's quite a bit of tension every time the Nazis show up; I doubt I could have been that calm in the face of such danger at that age. Don't skip the afterword, which explains what parts of the book were based in fact; a surprising amount of details and twists turn out not to be just clever literary devices. It's a good glimpse of history, and unlike most books written about this time period, I didn't cry even once. Which was a nice change.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This isn't an easy read, despite its relatively short length. Number the Stars can be classified as both multicultural and historical fiction.Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen enjoyed their friendship and their life. Then the war came and nothing was ever the same again. The year is 1943 and life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. Then, the Jews of Denmark are relocated and Ellen must move in with the Johansens and pretend to be one of the family. Not long after, Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life. This book would be an excellent companion book to a history lesson about the holocaust or a non-fiction account of what happened. The horrific topic may be a little easier to swallow when portrayed through the eyes of these young girls.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is a very good book that my students will learn alot about the history of world war I. I will highly recommend this book to my students.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I read this book on a whim since it was sitting on my library shelf; I had heard it recommended by others in my children's literature class and I also enjoyed Lowry's The Giver. Number the Stars does an excellent job of portraying some of the turmoil of World War II without delving into graphic details, so it is appropriate for younger elementary children.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I really liked this book. This story shows the point of view of family during the Holocaust who is suffering from the German control and also assisting their Jewish friends in escaping. The main character Annemarie is extremely believable because at first she is oblivious to the prejudice of the Jews. As the years go on, Annemarie grows into a young woman who is very brave and will risk her life to help her family and friends. The main idea of this story is to provide a different point of view of the Holocaust and also to show loyalty and bravery.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Young Annemarie finds the courage to protect her Jewish friend Ellen - and personifies the bravery and determination of the Danish people during World War II. This is a well-realized story with glimpses of daily life in Denmark during the Nazi occupation. The author depicts the particular brand of Danish resistance that was very special to that tiny country. The afterword vouches for the accuracy of many of the plot elements.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book was assigned back in grade school and I loved it I read it twice and am seriously thinking of reading it again, and passing on to anyone who loves to read. This book is about the time where there were concentration camps and families were ripped apart and the story of one little girl on a mission to find her family that was so horribly taken from her. I don't want to spoil the book if you are thinking of reading it. I rate this book 5 stars all the way!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Number The Stars is a Newbery Award winning book by Lois Lowry. Set in Denmark in 1943, the story introduces us to Annemarie Johansen and her best friend, Ellen Rosen, who is Jewish. When Annemarie and Ellen are stopped by German soldiers on their way home from school one day, their lives begin to change. Ellen's family finds out that they must leave the country, and the Johansens take in Ellen, pretending she is their daughter. The Johansens then go to Annemarie's uncle's house, where Jews are covertly being smuggled out of the country. Although the Germans nearly uncover the plot, Ellen is smuggled safely out of the country.This book is read often in schools, and therefore it is imperative for libraries to have at least one copy. It would be useful for young readers in that it introduces them to the Jewish experience during World War II. Also, it provides interesting perspective on what was happening in Denmark at the time. Though the story is fiction, Lowry based some of her characters on actual people, making this a somewhat historically accurate read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Number the stars is a story about the Nazi occupation of Denmark. Similar to Anne Frank it is told from the viewpoint of a little girl. The little girl helps her uncle smuggle many of the danish Jews out of Denmark and into Sweden which was neutral in the war.This book is a moving story of bravery in the worst times in history. I found the book moving and inspirational. Though world war 2 is a horrible time in human existence it is a time we must all face and never forget. teaching this time period to children is important and seeing it from the angle of those who were persecuted is also important.This would be a good book to read along side Anne Frank's diary to give another perspective. It is also a good tie in to any world war 2 history lesson.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Title Number the StarsAuthor Lois LowryIllustrator nonePublisher HMH books for young readersDate 2011Pages 156Short Summary: This book is told from the point of view of a 10 year old Annemarie Johansen, set in Copenhagen of Denmark in Sept 1943 in the third year of the Nazi occupation of Denmark. Annemarie and her best friend Ellen, Ellen is Jewish are stopped by soldiers on their way home from school. Annemarie's sister Lise dies before the start of this book. This book basically is similar to the Diaries of Anne Frank telling the stories of how they survived through all this.Tags or subject headings would be loyalty and friendship and staying strong.My response: This book was a good one. It was very sad I think no 10 year old girl should have to experience anything like this. Something this horrible. It was still a good book though in helping to understand more about the Nazi's.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This story is about a young German girl named, Annemarie, who has a friend that is a Jew named, Ellen. They live in Denmark during the time of Hitler. There were soldiers everywhere, but the Jews weren't afraid until the soldiers came for them. Annemarie's family helped to keep Ellen's family safe, but they had to split up. Ellen stayed with Annemarie's family and her parents traveled with other adults to a rendezvous house. Annemarie learned what courage and bravery are and she was able to help save her friend from the German soldiers.This is a great story for 3rd or 4th grade level. Students learning about WWII would get a child's viewpoint of the war and how they were affected.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Number the Stars is written by Lois Lowry and is a must read historical fiction. Anne-Marie, must face difficult decisions and scary situations when her family decides to help out their Jewish friends in escaping Nazi-occupied Denmark. This story recounts the danger, fear, and uneasiness that Jewish and their non-Jewish friends experienced during the horrific time called the Holocaust. This book is written so that most upper elementary/early middle school students can get through it, without missing out on the severity of the events. I would love to pair this book with a speaker (perhaps a Holocaust survivor or a child of a survivor) and some primary documents from the concentration camps and Nazi diaries.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Number the stars is a story about the prosecution of the Jews during WWII. The story is told from a child's point of view which can be helpful to teach young students, without having to give them gruesome details of such tragic event. I think it is very easy to feel empathy for the people that went through this even. Whether they suffered it by losing loved ones or witnessing only, it was a horrific experience that no person should have to go through it, especially children. This book is a must have in a classroom library.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    My son has to read several Newberry Honor and Newberry Award Books this semester and I told him whatever he picked, I would read too. This is one of his picks.

    I thought it was a good but very basic, entry level foray into the holocaust and the war. He seemed to enjoy it though and wants his next Newberry pick (which has to be a higher AR level then the previous choice) to also be about the holocaust and war. So I'm glad he's wanting to delve a little deeper into it and get a bigger picture of all the things that this book glossed over for audience sake.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The book is written from the perspective of a child living in Denmark, Anne-marie, whose family helps to shelter Jews from the Nazis. As with most other books concerning the Holocaust/WWII, I am awed by the bravery of the Jews and those who helped them and shocked at the brutality of the Nazis.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Number the Stars has been one of my favorite books since the very first time I read it. First, I love the historical aspect of it. Reading this book will definitely help readers understand how life was for young children living in Denmark during this difficult time. Next, I really enjoyed the perspective of the book. The fact that the story was being told by a young girl makes it easier for children to understand and relate to. I also really enjoyed that the book challenges readers to imagine what life was like in Europe during the Holocaust. Finally, I enjoyed the "big idea" of heroism, and teaching us that no matter how old you are being brave and protecting those you love is very important.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The plot in this book is very well done. The reader gets a taste of the tension and conflict, that is going to increase as the book goes on, in the first chapter. The tension and conflict escalate into the climax and then is resovled when the families are safe again. This type of conflict is person-vs-person, Jews-vs-Nazis.This book is historical fiction because it takes place during WWII which really happened and contains a taste of the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis. The author includes the facts of the story in the Author's Note. This story was based on the experiences of her friend in Denmark during the German occupation. This is historical fiction because the characters are imaginary even though the story happened. Media: NA
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Great book for the young reader, 8-12. Tells the tale of a young girl Annemarie who lives in Denmark, who is indirectly & directly affected by WWII. Shows the effects of war, the heroism of people during dangerous times & the cruelty of man against others. It is written in a way that lets young readers understand the times without providing the gruesome details. Highly recommended.