Number The Stars, By Lois Lowry

by Taffy Raphael

This classroom-tested Book Club Novel Guide for Number the Stars by Lois Lowry contains a complete thematic unit that focuses on an excellent novel. The guide elaborates on the novel's major themes with related readings, writing activities, and unit projects. An overview of the Book Club program explains how students engage with literature and with each other through the program's unique use of small-group discussions. Detailed daily lesson plans support instruction in comprehension strategies, literary analysis, language conventions, and composition. Actual samples of student work show what you can expect your own students to achieve. Innovative blackline masters support writing, composition, critical thinking, and assessment.

Genres: Classics

56 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[B. Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler Free Summary
Annemarie Johansen is a Danish Girl living in Copenhagen, Denmark in WWII during the German occupation. As the Nazis are rounding up Jewish citizen, Annemarie’s family hides their Jewish friends, the Rosen family, in their own home. The situation becomes more and more dangerous as the days go by. Annemarie and her family embark on a perilous journey to to smuggle the Rosens to safety in neutral Sweden (ChatGPT, April 29th 2024). This story is an on the edge of your seat insight on as Annemarie and her family stare danger in the face as they attempt to ensure the Rosen family’s survival.

Commentary
This story sheds more light on the struggles of Jewish community back in WWII. The story is a historical fiction that paints the stressful and dangerous missions that many european families, that defied the German Nazis, did in order to help their friends and neighbors. Clearly, Annemarie’s family risks their entire livelihood to to protect their friends. THey demonstrate the selflessness and resilience of the human spirit, illustrating the lengths to which people will go to protect those they love (ChatGPT, April 29th 2024).

Application
The story can be used to in a class discussion that focuses on empathy and how important it is to stand up to injustice. Injustice isn’t just doesn’t involve war, it can also occur within the community of which you live in. Students will identify themes of friendship and sacrifice and how those themes in the story impacted the characters as they embarked on their dangerous journey.

[Daniela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lois Lowry's "Number the Stars" takes us on a historical journey that reads like a heartfelt letter. Her words create a connection to the characters and the intense period of World War II. Lowry's storytelling feels deliberate, adding a layer of suspense that keeps young readers captivated. She artfully incorporates symbolism enriching the narrative. Crucially, maintains a genuine and unbiased stance, presenting the challenges faced during a difficult time without resorting to stereotypes. It's a moving and educational choice that allows children to empathize with history. Lowry employs literary devices such as symbolism and foreshadowing to enhance the depth of the narrative. The use of descriptive language creates a vivid portrayal of the characters and the historical context. It also maintains a balanced and unbiased perspective, presenting the challenges faced by characters during a historical period without perpetuating stereotypes.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books of all time! I loved it because it is a positive true story from WWII. We learn how the Danish people helped to save so many of the Jews in Denmark. The Resistance was strong and effective in Denmark. The Jews fled into the arms of the Danes, who took them in, fed them, clothed them, hid them and helped them along to safety in Sweden. Nearly 7,000 people were smuggled across the sea to Sweden. My ancestry is part Danish and so I am very proud of them! I would like to do some research and learn about stories of my ancestors and any part they may have played in this story.

This book is age appropriate for 6 -12 grades but great for adults.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the first on a new shelf I've called per Alexa. My granddaughter reads a lot and is always glad to pass on titles she has liked. To see what she is reading and to revisit pre adolescent days on my own, I've decided to branch out a bit. This book was basically a long story of a young Danish girl in 1943 Nazi-occupied Denmark whose best friend is Jewish. Very well done, understated, but clearly demonstrated fear, courage, cruelty, and quick thinking realistically.

[Bridget Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denmark
WW2
Danish resistance to the
Nazi occupation.
Jewish refugees.

Written for younger readers but this old gal was enthralled by the story.

Author's afterwords clarify the facts that were incorporated in this fictional novel.

I highly recommend this young readers chapter book to people of all ages.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites as a child, very well written and a beautiful but very true story.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in Spanish.
A novel study for grade 4-6.

[DF · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it is a good book. But it didn't have the impact on me that I was expecting.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book for young readers.

[N Drill]

Very interesting, tells a lot about World War II

[Hytham Almuslih]

good