Name: _________________________
Period: __________
Study Guide
Number the Stars: Final Test
This test will consist of 25 multiple-choice and true/false questions. Because you will be required to bubble
your responses onto a scan-tron, please bring a #2 pencil with you to class on testing day.
Characterization:
1) Main character of the novel; 10 year old Danish girl; had to be "brave"; delivered the handkerchief
to Uncle Henrik, which ultimately saved her Jewish friends:
Annemarie Johansen
2) Main character’s best friend; 10 years old; was separated from her family for a time, but was
reunited with them just before she was taken to the safety of a neutral country:
Ellen Rosen
3) Main character’s five-year old sister; loves fairy tales about kings and queens; often speaks her
mind and doesn’t recognize the danger associated with the Nazi occupation:
Kirsti Johansen
4) He was engaged to our main character’s older sister; he is part of the “resistance” movement; he
was ultimately killed for trying to stop the Nazi's progress:
Peter Nielsen
5) Real-life Resistance leader from Denmark who was eventually captured by the Nazis; Lois Lowry (the
book’s author) read about him during her research for the novel:
Kim Malthe-Bruun
Plot Comprehension:
6) Why was Uncle Henrik the perfect person for Ellen to go see?
Because he lives near the sea, close to Sweden, he can help the Jews reach safety; and his
job as a fisherman means he is often traveling near Sweden by boat.
7) In reading class, the word "mood" means the emotions that the reader experiences when reading a
piece of literature. In other words, mood is the way you feel when reading a piece of writing.
Describe the mood of chapter seven, to include an explanation of why this chapter's mood is
different from the mood of the surrounding chapters.
Unlike the previous chapters which showed the tension and fear caused by living in the city,
the countryside near Henrik's home was calm and enjoyable, so chapter seven felt more
relaxed than those that surround it.
8) Why did Lois Lowry (the author) end chapter seven the way she did? {In other words, what was
the author's purpose in telling us, "Tonight there was no laughter at all"?
To show that although the characters were more relaxed than they had been at home in the
city, the true purpose of the trip was to save Ellen from danger.
9) What did Uncle Henrik mean (in chapter eight) when he said, "Tomorrow will be a day for fishing"?
It was a code that meant tomorrow was the best day to take Ellen to Sweden.
10) Why was Peter reading the Bible aloud at Great-aunt Birte's funeral?
To make the gathering look real so that the Nazis wouldn't question what was going on.
11) Why did Annemarie think about the story of "Little Red Riding Hood" as she rushed the mystery
package to Uncle Henrik?
Remembering the story helps her put her mind at ease during this dangerous trip
Annemarie‟s trip along the path is similar to the journey made by that famous fictional
character
12) Why did Annemarie's parents wait until she was twelve to tell her the truth about Lise's death?
She was too young (before) to truly understand
After the experience she'd had - in helping the Rosens - she was more capable of
understanding the full story
13) What does Lise's death have to do with Peter's serious attitude throughout the story?
He became more serious (and dedicated to the resistance movement) as a way of staying
focused on his plan to get revenge against the Nazis for killing Lise.
14) What final request did Peter make in the letter that he wrote on the night before he was shot?
Though it was not honored (due to the Nazis), he had hoped to be buried next to Lise
15) Were we ever told the actual “hiding spot” for Ellen’s necklace?
Yes, chapter seventeen reveals that it has been hidden inside an item of clothing that Lise
had once worn.
16) Did Ellen return to Copenhagen at the end of the story?
No…though Annemarie clearly hopes that this will occur soon, as she asks her father to fix
Ellen‟s “Star of David” necklace so that it‟s ready for her return.
17) Did Lois Lowry create the idea of having a “scented handkerchief” to serve as a deterrent for the
Nazi’s dogs?
No…as the afterword stated, this process was really used by those who helped the Jews
avoid persecution by the Nazis. The scent was created through a powerful powder that used
a combination of dried rabbit‟s blood and a narcotic; it temporarily numbed the dogs‟ sense
of smell and was developed by Swedish scientists.
18) Which genre category does this novel belong to?
If only looking at the four “major genres,” it would be considered fiction; however, the sub
category label is “historical fiction,” since it‟s a blending of real and make-believe elements.
19) Whose “voice” is the reader supposed to be hearing in the Afterword section of the novel? (In other
words, who is speaking to the reader?)
Although the majority of this novel is told from a third-person omniscient point of view
(meaning the narrator is an outsider looking in…and they are aware of the thoughts and feelings
of all characters), the Afterword is different. Lois Lowry tells the details of that section from her
own perspective, explaining how she came up with some of her ideas and revealing what‟s fact
versus fiction.
Cause and Effect Relationships:
20) This test will include a chart that shows some cause and effect relationships. Though you'll have to wait
until the test to find out what details you'll be asked about, here’s a reminder of how those types of
relationships work.
One event leads to another event; it's like a row of dominos - knocking down the first one
CAUSES all the other dominos to fall (EFFECT).
Literary Elements:
21) On one of the visits Peter makes to the Johansen’s home, he brings some seashells for the girls. What
do the seashells symbolize/represent?
The seashells represent several things. A shell „hides‟ something to protect it. Many of the
characters in the story have to hide things/people in order to protect them. In addition,
because shells are a protective cover for sea creatures, they are full of surprises, as you never
really know what is inside of them. Similarly, the characters in our novel have to offer
protection for one another and some are also full of surprises as they determine what treasures
they actually have inside of themselves.
22) Which literary element is most likely revealed through the multiple mentions of the “loose step” outside
of Uncle Henrik’s home?
Lois Lowry mentions the presence of this loose step several times prior to us learning of its
true importance…so there‟s foreshadowing present. The fact that a detail that seems so
unimportant is mentioned so often gives the reader a clue about the fact that this step will be
important later…which turns out to be the case. Because he tripped over the loose step, Mr.
Rosen fell a little, causing the “mystery package” to fall out of his jacket pocket. Since that
package is such an important element in the story, we‟re able to realize why the step was
worthy of being mentioned so often.
Plot Structure:
You will be given a few specific details from the story and expected to identify which portion of the plot line
those events would fall under. Reviewing the following definitions will help you with those questions.
Plot – The series of events in the story; basically, it’s the “story line” of a fictional piece of writing.
Exposition – In fiction, the beginning part of the plot (it sets the tone, establishes the setting,
introduces the characters, and gives the readers background info).
Rising action – The conflicts and problems that the main characters face in a story
Climax – A story’s point of greatest interest or suspense; usually serves as a “turning point” for one or
more characters.
Falling action – Part when loose ends are tied up and the story is coming to a close; characters have
gotten past problems.
Denouement – Sometimes called resolution, it’s the final outcome or ending point of a fictional story.