Number the Stars

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.

This story, Number the Stars, is geared toward children grades 4 through 6 and was written in 1989   by Lois Lowry. 

This is a story of friendship and devastation.  Two ten-year old girls are best friends during World War II.  In order to provide a safe haven for one of the girls, the other girl's family offers to have her live with them.  The girls live in Copenhagen and are met with dangerous events of the war.  Prior to Nazi invasion, Annemarie is met with the challenge of saving her best friend Ellen from being sent to a concentration camp.  This is a story of true friendship, trust, strength, and faith.  

This book would be quite useful for teachers and parents/guardians to use as an example of the turmoil resulting from an historical event.  In addition, this book demonstrates a view of what children, specifically age 10, would have potentially experienced during this horrific time - World War II.  This story provides children with the opportunity to realize how horrifying the events of this time really were for children as well as adults, especially those who were Jewish.

The award winning author has written a number of other books including The Giver Quartet, Gooney Bird Greene, and Gossamer.  

As an example of multicultural historical fiction, the author provides a story allowing younger readers to better understand a part of history in a manner that is more easily comprehended.  The book incorporates historical events that actually occurred, but the characters are fictional.   

Motivational Activities:

1. Students can color and label a map of the European countries and cities involved in the Holocaust making note of those mentioned in the book.

2. Students can discuss symbols found in the book, such as the Star of David and swastika.  Then students can discuss symbols used today to designate various groups and elaborate on whether they are positive or negative in nature. 

3. Students can conduct a google lit trip into the story followed by a summary of their findings.  

Reader Response Questions:

1. Who was the leader of the Nazi troops and what was the reason for the war?

2. What was the Star of David? Who were expected to wear it and why?

3. Why did Ellen have to live with Annemarie and her family?

Lowry, L. (1989) Number the Stars New York, Scholastic, Inc.

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