Number the Stars

Published in the year 1989, Number The Stars is a novel based on the experiences of a Jewish family during their escape from Copenhagen due to the Holocaust.

Summary Of The Book

Number The Stars is a historical fiction novel, whose lead character is Annemarie Johansen. During the holocaust, the Nazis were determined to arrest, and relocate the Jews situated in Denmark. In the beginning of the story, two soldiers corner Annemarie, and her friend Ellen, questioning them. After they become aware of the German’s plans, Ellen’s parents go into hiding with Mr. Peter, and Ellen stays with the Johansen family.

Suddenly, there were certain nazi soldiers, who tapped on the door of the Johansen family, demanding the Rosen family’s whereabouts. Although the soldiers looked at Ellen’s hair in suspicion (as it was dark brown), they were somehow convinced by the Johansen family, and finally left. Following that, the Johansen family travel to Uncle Henrik’s place, where they become aware of their great-aunt’s death. During the funeral, certain Nazi soldiers make their appearance to disrupt it. However, their great-aunt never existed to start-off with, and they managed to fool the soldiers. The casket contained a package, which was very important during the Resistance, and had to be smuggled to Uncle Henrik, who was hiding in a boat. Will Annemarie be able to give the package to Uncle Peter? What is the outcome of all these events? Read on to find out.

This book was greatly appreciated by it’s readers, being considered one of the best pieces of Children’s literature in the United States. The Publisher’s Weekly ranked this novel as the 82nd best-selling children’s novel of all time, in the United States. 

About Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry is a renowned children’s author from the United States.

Apart from this novel, Lowry has written more than 30 books for children. Some of the books written by Lowry include The One Hundredth Thing About Caroline (1983), Gooney Bird And The Room Mother, Find A Stranger, Say Goodbye, and Anastasia Has The Answers.

Lowry was born on the 20th of March, 1937, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She completed her degree from University Of Southern Maine, Portland, studying English Literature. She later pursued her master’s degree from the same university, and developed a liking for photography, which later became her profession. She has also been awarded with the Rhode Island Children’s Book Award in the year 2002.