“Ellen had said that her mother was afraid of the ocean, that it was too cold and too big. The sky was, too, thought Annemarie. The whole world was: too cold, too big. And too cruel. ”
Number the Stars
Written by Lois Lowry
Published by Random House Children's Books, 1989
Occupation, Denmark, Jewish, Star of David, Family
Awards:
Newbery Medal (Won, 1990) Mark Twain Award (Nominated, 1992)
Jane Addams Children's Book Award (Nominated, 1990)
Golden Archer Award (Wisconsin) (Won, 1990)
Golden Archer Award (Wisconsin) (Won, 1998)
Maine Student Book Award (Won, 1991)
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award (Won, 1991)
Great Stone Face Children's Book Award (Won, 1992)
Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award (Won, 1992)
New York State Charlotte Award (Won, 1992)
Sydney Taylor Book Award (Won, 1989)
Summary:
This Newberry award-winning novel illustrates the time when the Nazis invaded Denmark and began “relocating” Jews. The Danish resistance’s efforts saved many people and this book proves it. Annemarie’s family attempts to help their Jewish Ellen. Can they keep her true identity hidden from the daunting Nazis?
Reading Level Lexile Measure: 670L
Suggested Delivery: Independent reading
Key Vocabulary: Occupation, Rabbi, Synagogue, Relocate, Typhus, Tantalize
Teaching
Strategies
a)
Incorporate this novel into discussions of diversity, including diversity.
b)
The history of Jewish people is taught to students during their lessons on
World War II. This novel provides
students with the story from a girl about the same age as them. Ask them to read this novel for Social
Studies, you can still be reading a novel in Language Arts too!
c)
Spend time on the characters in this novel.
What is the nature of Annemarie and Ellen’s friendship before the
occupation, after?
Comprehension Strategies:
Pre-Reading
Note the title of the novel, Number the Stars, and the picture of the little girl on the cover. What do you think the title and the Star of David. What do you know about the significance of this object? Examine the titles of each chapter, what do they tell you this little girl with the Star of David is going to have to overcome/endure?
During
reading
The
Danish people played such an important role in the history of Jewish people. The Danish Resistance smuggled nearly 7,000
people. Why did they choose to do this?
Explore all the types of people they helped to protect.
Post
Reading
Incorporate
a Social Studies element by examining maps of pre and post war Germany. Draw the lines of travel that the Jewish people
took for safe refuge in Denmark. Also,
draw in the Berlin wall.
Writing Activity
Since this novel deals with sensitive topics, focus student’s exploration by asking them to answer questions related to the story. Example questions include:
-How
can Annemarie do what she had to do?
-Where
did she get her strength? Notice her use of Kirsti as a role model.
-This
king in the novel is portrayed as saddened and brave as his country
fell under the Nazi shadow. Which countries had
kings then? Which ones still do?
-What
is Lois Lowry Saying about soldier in general by making the Nazi
soldier stroke Kirsti’s hair?
Electronic
Resources:
The Glencoe Literature Library published this comprehensive compliment to the novel. Including discussion prompts and background information about the author.
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/pdf/number_the_stars.pdf
Lowry, Lois. Number the stars. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1989. Print.
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