Annemarie Johansen doesn't really understand why she has to pretend that her friend Ellen is her sister. Or why Ellen's parents have to leave without her. But when Annemarie's parents and uncle try to help Ellen's family and some other Jewish people in Denmark flee to a safer country, Annemarie knows it's important and will do anything she can to help, even if it's dangerous.

I really appreciate that in so few pages and in language kids can understand and get into, Lowry not only paints a vivid picture of the danger and fear that those who lived in Nazi-occupied countries dealt with, but also touches on the resistance offered by non-Jews living in Denmark. I also liked seeing the love and loyalty the Danes had for their king, which is something most American's can fully understand, and the way the scientific community pulled together to help save lives.

Many of us remember reading this book for school, though I didn't remember it nearly as well as I thought (or maybe I was thinking about a different book the whole time, though if so, I can't pin down what it was). Required reading or not, this is a good book to introduce young readers to the darkness that many in Europe faced during WWII. ( )

As the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen's family takes in Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family.

Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war.

Ten-year-old Annmarie lives in Denmark. German troops are coming to relocate all the Jewish families of Denmark. Annmarie's family takes in her best friend's family. This is a great novel from the perspective of a 10 year which can really speak to a young reader. ( )

Told from the perspective of a ten year old, Annemarie Johansen, Number the Stars tells the story about living under Nazi occupation during World War II. Previously unaware of the danger she's living in, Annemarie learns of the danger when her family protects her best friend Ellen, a Jew. Ellen pretends to be Annemarie's dead sister and as a 'family' they encounter compromising situations that leave the Nazi's suspicious. As Annemarie learns more about the situation around her she must find the courage to help the Jewish families escape to Sweden. This book is told in a way that will engage a young reader and has credibility in the events depicted. Young readers could draw comparisons and identify differences to actual events of the Holocaust. ( )

Reading Level:9-13
Awards: 1989 Sydney Taylor Book Award -- Older Readers (Winner)
1990 Newbery Medal -- Children's (Winner)
1991 Maine Student Book Award -- Grades 4-8 (Winner)
1992 Great Stone Face Book Award -- Grades 4-6 (Winner)
1992 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award -- Grades 4-8 (Winner)