Title: Number the Stars
Author: Lois Lowry
Genre: Historical
Fiction
Grade Level:
4-8
Can you imagine yourself in a war period of
time? What if you were a child who lived in a Holocaust? Imagine yourself a
Jewish child or a child who has Jewish friends that are taken away from you and
being exterminated and wiped out? What would you do to help your friends and the Jewish people? In the story of ten year
old girl Annemarie you will learn about life in the country of Denmark during
the World War II when it was occupied by Nazis and the bravery of Danish
people. Annemarie's story will tell you about the importance and endures of
Jewish people of Denmark during Holocaust. If you want to step into the shoes
of a person who lived in Denmark during that time read Annemarie's story about
her Jewish friends written by Lois Lowry Number
the Stars.
Number the Stars is a story written from a perspective
of ten-year-old Annemarie who lived in Denmark during the time when it was occupied
by German Nazis in 1940-1945. The book tells us about Annemarie Johansen, her
sister Kristi and Jewish friend Ellen, their families the Johansen’s and the
Rosen’s and Peter, a young man who was in Resistance party against Nazi
occupiers and the Annemarie’s Uncle Henrick, the fisherman. Annemarie describes
the situation in Copenhagen during the occupation – the soldiers in “big boots”
in the streets, a curfew, fear and bravery in Danish people. The story opens up
with the word that Danish Jews are to be relocated and with the action the
Johansen’s undertake. They help their friends and neighbors, the Rosen’s, and
other Jewish people to escape to Sweden, which is neutral and safe at that
period. In helping hiding her friend and then escaping Annemarie learns how
brave and strong she can be; she carries a mysterious packet through the
Nazi-patrolled night woods to her uncle's boat pretending that he forgot his
lunch. The girl also leans the truth about Resistance group and Jewish
population rescue from the Nazis.
Number the Stars falls into historical fiction genre
and, while it does so, in the Afterword,
we get to learn the true story, told by the author’s friend, where the book
came from – the Danish Resistance which saved lives of thousands Jewish people
in Denmark. It is historically accurate and opens up a difficult subject of the war
but at the same time includes just enough humor to keep the deep subject a
little lighter. It has an intense theme, and is an excellent introduction to
the horrors of World War II.
Number the Stars can be used
to teach variety of English Language Arts standards. The lesson can used to
teach plot structure, character description, theme identification and
discussion, literature elements, and points of view, themes, figurative
language, writing, etc. This book is an excellent tool to use
to teach children not only the language and writing concepts, but history. It
gives a great idea of Holocaust during the WWII. Students can really put
themselves in the shoes of those children who lived in that time period,
because the book is told from the child’s perspective. It is also very realistic;
the reader really gets that feeling that he/she is there right now, feels and worries
about the characters and wants to have them overcome the difficult
circumstances.
The book can be used in grade level range 4-6,
depending on the purpose. It can fit into the 5th grade Common Core standards:
RL.5.1 Quote
accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when
drawing inferences from the text.
RL.5.2 Determine
a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how
characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a
poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
RL.5.3 Compare
and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama,
drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
RL.5.4 Determine
the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including
figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
RL.5.5 Explain
how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall
structure of a particular story, drama, or poem.
RL.5.6 Describe
how a narrator’s or speaker’s point of view influences how events are
described.
W.5.2 Write
informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and
information clearly.
W.5.3 Write
narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective
technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
W.5.9 Draw
evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and
research.
a. Apply grade
5 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast two or more characters,
settings, or events in a story or a drama, drawing on specific details in the
text [e.g., how characters interact]”).
L.5.5.
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and
nuances in word meanings.
a. Interpret
figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
b. Recognize
and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
c. Use the
relationship between particular words (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, homographs) to
better understand each of the words.
Number the Stars is a book that earned Gold Medal for the
great contribution to American children literature which it truly deserved.
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