Lowry, Lois. (2011) Number the Stars. HMH Books for Young Readers. New Paperback Edition - ISBN: 978-0547577098. Ages 9 and up. $5.71 from Amazon.com.
I remember first reading Number the Stars by Lois Lowry in fifth grade. I was in Mrs. McIntyre’s class at Hale
Road Elementary School. I remember
that we had to do several projects on this, including a book report and a
poster. This book had a great
influence on me as a child -
perhaps, it was one of the first that taught me a love of historical fiction,
and through this story a love of history itself. I bet the projects that I did are somewhere in my parent’s
basement in a box – they saved all of these types of things from my childhood. This book by Lowry is
one of her greats. It won the Newbery
Medal, and it will always be a childhood memory and story I love. The main character, Annemarie, is ten years old. The year is 1943 and the location is Copenhagen, Denmark. This is the story of how Annemarie and her family help their Jewish friends escape the Nazi soldiers. Annemarie is too young to deal with such a difficult thing, but she handles this task well. In the story, she begins as an innocent child, but due to the events unfolding she must mature quickly and show bravery and courage.
Annemarie was a character that I admired the first
time I read the story as a child.
This is one of the cornerstones of any great hero or heroine and it is
important that when children read a book they can connect with the experiences
of at least one of the characters in the story. I was able to do that as a child. I remember admiring Annemarie and wondering if I were brave
enough to do what she did for her friend Ellen and her friend’s parents Mr. and
Mrs. Rosen. I wondered as a child
if I would have been able to do what Annemarie did when faced with the moment
of truth and a challenging situation requiring me to show bravery.
I could relate to Annemarie from the beginning of
the story when I found out she was a good athlete. I know it might seem like a small detail to recall, but from
the first scene when she is running home I could picture this event in my
mind. I had younger siblings and
we would run home from school as well.
Since she was a good athlete and I played sports as a kid, this helped
me make an instant connection. The
story begins with Annemarie racing her friend Ellen home with her younger sister
Kirsti in pursuit. Also, in pursuit
of the three girls were two guards on the corner that stopped the children from
running – the guards were on every street corner. The author did an excellent job of painting the scene and
giving background information on the situation. Lowry is able to paint a picture of war in Denmark and
soldiers on every street corner and while that may be hard for children to relate
to what this might be like, the reader can understand the struggle of the girls. The girls, though it wasn’t easy, had
to figure out how to coexist in a world with guards on every street
corner. They learned how to walk
without being noticed. The
children were afraid without being able to explain exactly why. Still, the girls learned how to deal
with the German occupation and how to survive during their walks to and from
school. This always made me feel
thankful for my own freedom and while Annemarie’s younger sister Kirsti didn’t
know another world, Annemarie did.
She has a lot of questions about why the soldiers are there, and as we
continue reading we learn more about this.
I should also mention that Number the Stars was the first story I read that taught me about WWII and the Nazis as a child. I know I shared already that as a child, I was very interested in social studies and history. The fact that this story had a real historical component to it was the main reason why I connected so well with the story. I’m pretty certain that due to this book and my fifth grade teacher who planted the seed through fun social studies projects, I developed a love for history and would even go on to major in history in college. Also, there was a female hero – and as a girl who grew up in a house where my dad was always telling me “I’m strong willed, I’m a leader, I’m independent,” I connected with the protagonist, Annemarie and I admired her.
I further connected with Annemarie when I learned that she was always curious about what the adults in the room were talking about, and the ways that the family was secretly a part of the Resistance. Although only ten, she had more common sense than most at her age. I guess I always felt that I could connect with adults, that I was helpful to others and so combined with the fact that I was a fan of learning about history too, this book was perfect for me. Annemarie wanted to learn about what was going on with her father and with Peter. He would visit and she sensed that things were happening that maybe although she didn’t know about them all in detail, she knew something was going on. Peter was going to marry her older sister, but she passed away in an accident. Annemarie caught on to things – she knew things were not right and she had to deal with this inner struggle throughout the book. She acknowledged her fears and wondered if she would show bravery if her life depended on it. This inner struggle continued throughout the book.
Annemarie finds out about the closing of the Jewish shop that sells buttons – she learns that Ellen must come live with the Rosen’s and that her parents have to go into hiding. Annemarie tries to convince herself that she is safe and will not have to be brave, despite the war going on around her. She knows this isn’t true because of Ellen’s parents going into hiding – the war is now affecting her, her family and her friend. The guards come to the house in the middle of the night and question why Ellen has dark hair while she and her younger sister Kirsti do not. Annemarie is there to help Ellen hide her Jewish star necklace in the knick of time. She protects Ellen and is there for her, as an older sister would be there for her younger sister. She takes on this role throughout the story – Annemarie is growing in her ability to understand and to protect those she loves. She is also learning that it is okay if she doesn’t know or understand everything that is going on with perfect details– sometimes that is for the better and for her own protection. This comes up in the scene with the casket and at the “funeral” of her great aunt. What she didn’t know at the time was that the casket was empty. The casket was filled with blankets that those who were about to escape would need for the journey in the boat. Annemarie did not know this until she had to know this, and she was able to understand why – a sign of maturity.
What always fascinated me about the story was the courage Annemarie showed when she needed it most. Lowry does a fantastic job with the scene in the woods and leading up to Annemarie’s journey to her uncle’s boat. I was able to place myself in her shoes during this transformation of Annemarie’s character. Before re-reading the story, I could vividly recall the scene when Annemarie is sent to take the packet to the boat. Her mother is afraid that all of their efforts to help the Rosen’s were in vain because the packet was dropped. Her mom tells her to take a lunch to her Uncle Henrik along with the packet, hidden underneath. Annemarie has to help get this packet there as soon as she can – and she does not even know what is inside. If she is stopped, she is told to act like a silly girl. This again explains the struggle that Annemarie has throughout the story – she is caught between two very different worlds. The guards slow down Annemarie and when she is searched, they only find a handkerchief, which they believe is harmless. I can remember my heart beating and line after line wondering if she would be all right or if she would be caught and also not knowing myself what was in the packet. There was such suspense! I reread this scene and it affected me the same way. As an adult I now really like to read books about female stars. I believe it was because of the foundation that was laid as a child reading a book like this one. Mostly I believe it is because Annemarie was able to do the right thing to help a friend in a critical time of need. She did so without hesitation outwardly, maybe even if inwardly she was scared.
The students at my school had to read this as a summer reading project between sixth and seventh grade. They each completed the Glencoe Literature Packet, which I listed in the references section. The story certainly has an educational value as Lois Lowry does a great job of painting the picture of the situation Jews living in Denmark in 1943 faced. I think the story allows for young readers to share experiences of other children that they otherwise would only read about in a history book. Learning about the Holocaust does have educational value and when you can learn about it through a story line and see characters develop young readers can relate. It is a smooth read with portions of suspense and mystery. Most importantly Number the Stars allows readers to have an experience and appreciation of another culture and event in history. The Afterword in the story gives the character’s meaning, since the events and actions of the characters are based on research that Lowry did and mirror the lives of real heroes and heroines of this time period in Denmark.
Lowry uses many literacy devices while referencing many fairytales throughout the story. Lowry uses fairytales to remind readers that Annemarie is still a child. At the beginning, both Annemarie and Kirsti enjoy hearing fairytales, but these get old for Annemarie. It reminds us that though Annemarie was growing up in a really difficult time, she was able to deal with the war and also she helped her sister get through it by telling fairytales. Near the end of the story as Annemarie is making her journey to her uncle’s boat she is reminded of the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood. This fairytale helps her survive in the woods, but by the end of the story, she realizes, not everything ends happily ever after. She has to face the reality of her sister’s tragic death and she knows that life doesn’t exist like it does in a fairytale.
Considering children’s developmental needs, one major positive about this novel is that Lowry tells the story of the Holocaust through the lives of two friends, one who is Jewish and one who is not. Lowry has written this story for children as young as third grade and I believe it is written in a way that will allow children who are young to learn about the Holocaust without nightmares. When children read this story they are able to discuss the lives of those children and families who experienced the Holocaust – this story sends the message that through strong friendships we are able to help others in need. Annemarie is a great friend to Ellen Rosen. Her character develops though through the story – and Annemarie, though she isn’t told everything going on, she understands the importance in the things she can do to help. I believe children today would still like to read this book because of its central themes surrounding bravery and friendship. It is almost a mystery as well to younger children who are not completely aware of the Holocaust and all that it entailed. Annemarie knew some things but knowing everything would have put her in a dangerous position – so I think in sticking with the theme that this book allows for readers to experience the dangers of the times but also they can feel protected and brave. The use of the fairy tales throughout the story also would appeal to young readers. They allow for hope of a better tomorrow.
Lowry put together a powerful storyline, allowing young readers to connect with the events of the Holocaust while experiencing the struggles that Annemarie and her friend Ellen faced. While we may never have to live through an event such as this, we can appreciate and better understand those who did through this piece of literature. This is a highly recommended book for all elementary school children, grades 3 to 7.
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