Number the Stars
Summary
Number the Stars is a powerful work of historical fiction by Lois Lowry, published in 1989. Set in Nazi-occupied Denmark during World War II, this Newbery Medal-winning book explores themes of courage, friendship, and resistance through the eyes of a young Danish girl. The novel has garnered numerous accolades, including the National Jewish Book Award, and has become a staple in classrooms across the United States. Number the Stars continues to resonate with readers of all ages, offering a poignant and accessible introduction to the horrors of the Holocaust.
Plot
Set in Copenhagen in 1943, Number the Stars follows ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen during the Nazi occupation of Denmark. As the Germans begin to “relocate” Danish Jews, Ellen, who is Jewish, moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be part of their family. Annemarie's parents and uncle are involved in the Danish Resistance, working to smuggle Jews to safety in Sweden.
The story intensifies when Nazi soldiers search the Johansens' apartment, forcing Annemarie to think quickly to protect Ellen's identity. Later, Annemarie and her family travel to her uncle's house near the coast, where a group of Jews, including Ellen's family, are preparing to escape to Sweden by boat. Annemarie learns that her deceased older sister Lise was also part of the Resistance.
In a climactic scene, Annemarie must complete a dangerous mission to deliver a vital package to her uncle's boat before it departs with the Jewish refugees. She encounters Nazi soldiers but manages to outwit them and successfully delivers the package, which contains a handkerchief treated with a special scent to throw off Nazi dogs. The story concludes with Denmark's liberation two years later, as Annemarie hopes for Ellen's return and reflects on the bravery of those who resisted the Nazis.
Themes
• Courage in the face of adversity
• Friendship and loyalty
• Coming of age during wartime
• Resistance against oppression
• The power of deception for good
• Loss of innocence
• The importance of remembering history
Setting
Number the Stars is set against the backdrop of World War II, specifically during the Nazi occupation of Denmark in 1943. The story unfolds in Copenhagen, the capital city, where the protagonist Annemarie Johansen and her family reside. This urban setting provides a stark contrast between the once-peaceful Danish life and the oppressive presence of German soldiers patrolling the streets.
As the plot progresses, the action shifts to the countryside, particularly to Uncle Henrik's home near the coast. This rural location becomes crucial to the narrative, as it serves as a staging point for the dangerous mission to smuggle Jewish refugees to safety in neutral Sweden. The coastal setting, with its proximity to the sea, emphasizes the literal and figurative journey from danger to freedom that the characters must undertake.
Throughout the novel, Lowry skillfully weaves historical details of 1940s Denmark into the narrative, painting a vivid picture of a nation under occupation. From food shortages in Copenhagen to the tense atmosphere of constant surveillance, the setting becomes an integral part of the story, reflecting the broader geopolitical context of World War II Europe and the Holocaust.
Characters
• Annemarie Johansen: The 10-year-old protagonist who helps save her Jewish friend Ellen during the Nazi occupation of Denmark.
• Ellen Rosen: Annemarie's best friend who is Jewish and must hide from the Nazis.
• Mr. and Mrs. Johansen: Annemarie's parents who help hide Ellen and assist in the Danish Resistance.
• Kirsti Johansen: Annemarie's younger sister.
• Uncle Henrik: Annemarie's uncle who helps smuggle Jews to Sweden on his fishing boat.
• Peter Nielsen: A member of the Danish Resistance and Lise's former fiancé.
• Lise Johansen: Annemarie's older sister who died as part of the Resistance (mentioned but not present in the story).
• Mr. and Mrs. Rosen: Ellen's parents who flee Denmark.
• Great-Aunt Birte: A fictional relative invented as part of the plan to smuggle Jews to safety.
Quick facts
• The book's title comes from Psalm 147:4 in the Bible, which refers to God numbering and naming all the stars.
• Lois Lowry took the photo used on many editions of the book cover, featuring a 10-year-old Swedish girl named Anna Caterina Johnson.
• The character of Peter is partially based on Kim Malthe-Bruun, a real Danish resistance member during World War II.
• Lowry traveled to Copenhagen to conduct research and interviews for the book.
• Number the Stars has sold more than two million copies in the United States alone.
• A key plot point involves using cocaine to numb the noses of Nazi dogs to prevent them from tracking Jewish refugees.
• Number the Stars has been widely used in schools to teach about the Holocaust and World War II.
• Lowry wrote a companion book called A Summer to Die, which deals with similar themes of loss and courage.
About the author
Lois Lowry
Lois Lowry is a renowned American author known for her versatile and thought-provoking writing for young adults. Born in 1937 in Hawaii, Lowry grew up in various locations due to her father's military career. After studying at Brown University and starting a family, she turned her attention to writing, publishing her first novel, A Summer to Die, in 1977 at the age of 40.
Throughout her career, Lowry has tackled complex themes and difficult subjects in her works, including terminal illness, racism, and dystopian societies. She gained widespread recognition for her Newbery Medal-winning novels Number the Stars (1989) and The Giver (1993). The latter, part of The Giver Quartet, has become a modern classic and is often credited with pioneering the young adult dystopian genre.
Lowry's writing often explores the importance of human connections and interdependence. Her works, while sometimes controversial and challenged in schools, have resonated with readers of all ages. She has received numerous accolades, including the Margaret Edwards Award in 2007 for her significant contribution to young adult literature. Lowry continues to write and speak, dividing her time between Maine and Florida.
Lowry's personal experiences have deeply influenced her work. The loss of her sister to cancer inspired her first novel, while the death of her son, an Air Force pilot, in 1995 further shaped her perspective on conflict and human fragility. Lowry's ability to address profound themes through accessible storytelling has cemented her place as one of the most important American children's authors of the 20th and 21st centuries.