Number The Stars

Title: Number The Stars

Author: Lois Lowry

Publisher: Laurel Leaf

Date: February 1998

Number of pages: 136 pages

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary: In the middle of the night, Nazi soldiers arrive at the Annemarie Johansens' apartment and demand that the family reveal the whereabouts of the Rosen family. Ellen Rosen (posing as Annemarie's sister who was hit by a car)  is almost killed when one of the Nazi soldiers recognizes that two of Mr. Johansen's daughters are blonde and have straight hair, while Ellen is dark-haired. Mr. Johansen retrieves baby photos of his two daughters, with their names listed, which clearly show that Lise had hair similar to Ellen's when she was a baby. After the Nazis leave, Mr. Johansen calls his brother-in-law, Henrik, and makes encoded arrangements to bring Ellen to him. Later, Annemarie, Ellen, Mrs. Johansen, and Kirsti leave by train for Uncle Henrik's home in Gilleleje.

Mrs. Johansen tells the girls that Great-aunt Birte has died and they will be having a funeral. However, Annemarie knows that Great-aunt Birte doesn't exists, but is reassured that there is purpose behind this fake funeral. Many strangers arrive for the funeral, among them a rabbi and several Jewish families. A group of Nazi soldiers arrive and interrupt the funeral, and Ellen's parents and Peter Nielsen arrive shortly after. A soldier questions Annemarie about the funeral and asks her mother to open the casket. Her mother told the soldier that she would love to do so, but the doctor told them that opening the casket would spread germs because Great-aunt Birte had died from typhus. The soldier then leaves. They then read a Psalm from the bible recounting the Lord God numbering the stars. Annemarie thinks that it is impossible to number the stars in the sky, and that the world is cold and very cruel.

They then open the casket and distribute the warm clothing and blanket that were hidden inside  to the Jewish families who then depart. Uncle Henrik returns to Denmark later and while teaching Annemarie how to milk a cow, explains that the Rosens were hiding in his boat.

Two years later, the war ends, and all of Denmark celebrates. Several revelations are made: The Jews who were forced to leave Denmark return and find that their friends and neighbors have kept up their apartments in anticipation of their return. Before the Rosens come back, Annemarie asks her father to repair Ellen's Star of David necklace (which had been broken off the night the Nazi's broke into the apartment in order to conceal her identity), wanting to wear it herself in honor of her.

My reaction: Although a very interesting read, and informational ... I seemed to lose interest quite frequently. It is not my typical style of book that I tend to enjoy reading. I thought the story drug on in parts when Annemarie was taking her uncle lunch to the docks and the soldiers broke open the package. Although great detail, it drug on...and on. A great historical fiction book, although I'm disappointed in the context and storyline. I felt the author could Jazz it up a little bit to create a more entertaining plot. I have heard of others who really enjoy the novel, but I just don't necessarily like it. 

Potential problems: The violence towards women could potentially pose as a negative influence on most children. Also, the book has strong dramatic themes of violence, corruption and lack of respect.

My recommendation: This book shouldn't be read in classrooms until middle school/junior high. I feel the themes that are portrayed in the graphic storyline could be disturbing especially to be exposed to younger children. Although the reading level is 9-12, I would probably recommend it more to be like ages 11-14.