Title:
Number The Stars
Miranda M Miller
Author: Lois Lowry
RE 3240
Genre: Fiction
February 24, 2013
Date of Publication: 1989
ISBN: 0440227534
Other Designators: Newberry Medal
Reading Level:
5.2 Scholastic Reading Level 5th Grade
GRL U 5th Grade
Lexile 670 3rd or 4th Grade Equivalent
AR 4.5
Summary
Set In 1943, during the German occupation of Denmark, ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen learns how to be
courageous as she helps shelter her Jewish friend; Ellen Rosen from the Nazis. They must endure food shortages, Nazi
Soldiers, and all other aspects of War. Ellen moves in with the Johansens’ pretending to be part of the family. Annemarie has
to face lots of danger. She must grow up, face many uncertainties, lies, and realize what true bravery and perseverance
means. Annemarrie most help get a special packet to her Uncle Henrik, this is a very dangerous mission. Henrik had hidden
Ellen's family and other people on his boat. When Nazi soldiers and their dogs came to search the boat, they didn't sniff out
any humans—the package had a special ingredient in it that kept the dogs from finding the people hidden on Henrik's boat. If
Annemarie hadn't delivered the package, they would have all been discovered. So Annemarie saved them. The boat traveled
safely to Sweden, and Ellen and her family escaped.
The book concludes two years later, as World War II is ending. Peter has been discovered as a Resistance worker and killed
by the Nazis. But in a moment of hope, Annemarie knows that her best friend will finally be able to come back home—and
she has her necklace waiting for her.
Response
This story had a huge effect on me. Although, this book is fiction there are many real truths behind it. I really
connected to the character Annemarie. This was a book I read in one sitting. I could not stop reading once I started. I can
see why the author Lois Lowry has won so many medals for her books and why this one was a Newbery Medal. Fourth and
Fifth grade students alike would really get into this book.
Curriculum Connections: 3rd Grade Social Studies, 5th Grade Social Studies and Language Arts.
3.H.2.1 Explain change over time through historical narratives (events, people and places).
3.H.2.2 Explain how multiple perspectives are portrayed through historical narratives.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their
actions contribute to the sequence of events
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.6 Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.
Teaching Ideas:
1.
2.
Have students Identify a theme or most important message of the book Number the Stars and explain why that
theme was chosen. Identify prejudices that occur in our daily lives & that occurred in Number the Stars. Label
characters from the book according to the word that best describes them.
Have students go through a simulation. Students will pretend to be the Rosens trying to escape as they venture to
Uncle Henriks boat and wait below deck. They must be very still and follow specific directions as not to get caught.
Role play and then debrief with a whole group discussion.