The 1990 Newbery Medal Winner, Number the Stars by Lois Lowry tells the incredible story of Annemarie Johansen as she encounters some of the real-life horrors and injustices of the Holocaust. Although a fictional story, the fictional characters portray the bravery of the Danish people as they help their country's Jewish community escape to safety. Annamarie and her family represent these community members as they help a Jewish family, the Rosens, escape to safety in Sweden.
Although I remember reading this novel in my own elementary-school days, when I reread it this past week, it was still a page-turner as all of the details unfolded once again. This historical fiction piece offers merely a glimpse into the Holocaust. Without mention of concentration camps and extreme Nazi brutality, this novel provides the basic framework of the Holocaust without giving gruesome details. Jewish families were described as being "relocated."
Learning about the Holocaust requires mature students. This makes Number the Stars ideal for fourth and fifth grade readers who may have never heard of the Holocaust. Class discussions about prejudice, injustices, and discrimination should follow.
Number the Stars relays how the Holocaust affected everyone. From rationing both electricity and food, to stores closing, to protecting friends, the Nazis' invasion into Denmark changed everyday life. Yet, despite all of this, Number the Stars shows people's bravery amidst chaos and confusion. At the young age of 10, Annamarie becomes a heroine by delivering the package to Uncle Henrik. Readers develop sympathy for Jewish families as they suffer discrimination at the hands of the Germans.
With her descriptive word choice and story development, Lois Lowry creates memorable characters and a compelling story that offers surprises, twists, and turns. Number the Stars reminds us that the Holocaust cannot be forgotten. The story must be told. We cannot let history repeat itself.
Although I remember reading this novel in my own elementary-school days, when I reread it this past week, it was still a page-turner as all of the details unfolded once again. This historical fiction piece offers merely a glimpse into the Holocaust. Without mention of concentration camps and extreme Nazi brutality, this novel provides the basic framework of the Holocaust without giving gruesome details. Jewish families were described as being "relocated."
Learning about the Holocaust requires mature students. This makes Number the Stars ideal for fourth and fifth grade readers who may have never heard of the Holocaust. Class discussions about prejudice, injustices, and discrimination should follow.
Number the Stars relays how the Holocaust affected everyone. From rationing both electricity and food, to stores closing, to protecting friends, the Nazis' invasion into Denmark changed everyday life. Yet, despite all of this, Number the Stars shows people's bravery amidst chaos and confusion. At the young age of 10, Annamarie becomes a heroine by delivering the package to Uncle Henrik. Readers develop sympathy for Jewish families as they suffer discrimination at the hands of the Germans.
With her descriptive word choice and story development, Lois Lowry creates memorable characters and a compelling story that offers surprises, twists, and turns. Number the Stars reminds us that the Holocaust cannot be forgotten. The story must be told. We cannot let history repeat itself.
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