Number the Stars

Number The Stars. ISBN 978-0-440-22753-3. Lois Lowry. 1989. Newberry Medal. Ages 9-12. Jewish Historical Fiction.

Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry, is the story of a young girl, Annemarie, and her family's efforts to help their good friends, the Rosens, escape the Nazis that have occupied their town in Denmark during WW II. Ellen Rosen and Annemarie Johansen are ten-year-old girls and best friends that live in the same apartment building. Their families are friends as well. When the Nazis begin evacuating the jews in their town, Ellen stays with the Johansens while her parents flee. It is later found out by both girls that Annemarie's uncle is going to bring the Rosens, along with a few others, to safe Sweden in his fishing boat.

The story of the Holocaust is one that is often talked about in school, but the perspective of a young girl helping a jewish family with her family is new. This would be a good story to use to discuss being ethical and decent, even when faced with great risk. The Johansens have lost a daughter to this cause in Annemarie's older sister, Lise, but still are determined to help their friends and keep working towards helping the innocent victims of the holocaust.