(Begin with something to grab the reader’s attention) Number the Stars by Lois Lowry is a book
where very brave people act courageously. (Now review the plot in a few sentences)The story is about a
brave girl named Annemarie Johansen living in Denmark during the Nazi occupation during World War
II. Annemarie’s best friend Ellen is Jewish and is therefore in a lot of trouble since the Nazis’ plan is to
“relocate” or kill all of the Danish Jews. Annemarie and her family and the Resistance must act bravely
and heroically in order to protect and then eventually save the Jewish families who have become the
Johansen’s neighbors and friends. (set up the thesis) If the Johansens, Jews, and Danes didn’t show
bravery and courage, they would not have been able to survive the Nazi occupation. (Now the thesis)
Over and over again, bravery stands out as the central theme in Number the Stars.
(Topic sentence that begins to prove that bravery is the central theme in the book) Annemarie
showed bravery when she faced the German soldiers in her own home. (Now explain the situation, use
a quote, explain the quote, give an example, explain how that example proves your thesis) What
happened in the scene, maybe a quote, explain how this scene/quote helps prove your thesis that
bravery was the central theme in the book.
(Topic sentence that is the second reason that proves that bravery is the central theme in the
book) Uncle Henrik showed bravery when used his fishing boat to help transport Jews to Sweden in
order to save them. (Now explain the situation, use a quote, explain the quote, give an example, explain
how that example proves your thesis) What happened in the scene, maybe a quote, explain how this
scene/quote helps prove your thesis that bravery was the central theme in the book.
(Topic sentence that is the third reason that proves that bravery is the central theme in the
book) Annemarie showed an enormous amount of bravery when she went through the forest to deliver
the important package for Uncle Henrik . (Now explain the situation, use a quote, explain the quote,
give an example, explain how that example proves your thesis) What happened in the scene, maybe a
quote, explain how this scene/quote helps prove your thesis that bravery was the central theme in the
book.
(Restate thesis to begin conclusion) Bravery is the central theme in Number the Stars. (review
your reasons) Annemarie showed tremendous amounts of bravery the night the German soldiers
barged into her bedroom and when she went through the dark and scary forest to deliver the important
package to Uncle Henrik, Uncle Henrik showed bravery throughout the book when he used his fishing
boat to help transport Jews to Sweden, and almost all of the other main characters showed courage and
bravery at some point in the book.