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Summary and Reviews of Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Number the Stars

by Lois Lowry
  • Critics' Consensus (2):
  • Readers' Rating (8):
  • First Published:
  • Apr 24, 1989, 144 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Feb 1998, 144 pages
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About This Book

Book Summary

Winner of the 1990 Newbery Medal. Lois Lowry fictionalizes a true-story account of the evacuation of Jews from Nazi-held Denmark to save them from being detained and then sent to the death camps.

Winner of the 1990 Newbery Medal.

Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think of life before the war. It's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching through town. When the Jews of Denmark are "relocated," Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be one of the family. Soon Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission to save Ellen's life.

“I’ll race you to the corner, Ellen!” Annemarie adjusted the thick leather pack on her back so that her school books balanced evenly. “Ready?” She looked at her best friend.

Ellen made a face. “No,” she said, laughing. “You know I can’t beat you-my legs aren’t as long. Can’t we just walk, like civilized people?” She was a stocky ten year-old, unlike lanky Annemarie.

“We have to practice for the athletic meet on Friday- I know I’m going to win the girls’ race this week. I was second last week, but I’ve been practicing every day. Come on, Ellen,” Annmarie pleaded, eyeing the distance to the next corner of the Copenhagen street. “Please?” Ellen hesitated, then nodded and shifted her own rucksack of books against her shoulders. “Oh, all right. Ready,” she said.

“Go!” shouted Annemarie, and the two girls were off, racing along the residential sidewalk. Annemarie’...

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Reviews

Media Reviews

Horn Book Guides
The whole work is seamless, compelling, and memorable -- impossible to put down; difficult to forget

School Library Journal
Readers are taken to the very heart of Annemarie's experience, and, through her eyes, come to understand the true meaning of bravery.

Reader Reviews

Kiki

The title seemed interesting so I read it
It was amazing. I wish there was more to it!
Katarina

amazing
WW2 is a very delicate subject, but Lois Lowry totally helped me understand and I want to read more. this is truly an amazing novel.
motunrayo

number the stars
I loved this book so much, it got me to read more and write more!!!!
Bob

Best Book EVER!!!!
I cant stop reading this book ... 'tis is the 3rd time I've read it .

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