Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
A Story of Friendship During the Nazi Occupation of Copenhagen
Jun 18, 2009
Lois Lowry's Number the Stars (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1990, ISBN0-440-40327-8) is a story that focuses on the serious issue of the Holocaust, as seen through the eyes Annemarie Johansen. She and her best friend, Ellen Rosen, both ten years old, learn the importance of human connections during the trying times of World War II. Though they suffer from food shortages and the fear of Nazi soldiers, they are still able to laugh and dance like the young girls they are. When Ellen and her family need to escape from Denmark because they are Jewish, the girls learn the power of friendship and just how truly brave they are.
Characters Analysis
Annemarie learns the meaning of pride and bravery in this novel. She constantly questions whether or not she would have the strength and courage to perform the acts of bravery that are required of others in the situations brought on by the war and Nazi occupation. She questions the adults in her life about their choices and the acts of others, each time learning a little more about the war, the world and herself.
Lowry portrays the citizens of Denmark in the most loyal respect. King Christian felt both pride and sorrow when his loyal citizens targeted their own Navy ships in order to avoid them being taken over. He rode through the streets each morning greeting his subjects with the same dignity and respect they showed to him. A clever anecdote, documented in history, describes the fact that he does not need a body guard.
The depiction of the Nazi soldiers is well written. They are always immaculately dressed, right down to the shiny black shoes. They are intimidating with their roughness and weapons. They are unfeeling and dismissive to the population of Copenhagen. And yet, Lowry makes a unique move in giving one of the soldiers an endearing quality. In just a small moment with Kirsti, who reminds him of the daughter he left behind, that gives the reader a bit of compassion for him.
Coming of Age
This is truly a coming of age story for Annemarie. The reader finds her constantly critical of her younger sister Kirsti's baby ways. Annemarie is annoyed by Kirsti always wanting to play and tag along with her and Ellen. Interestingly, it is remembering Kirsti's childlike innocence that helps Annemarie overcome her fears when confronted by a Nazi soldier on her important mission.
On the other hand, the reader understands how much Annemarie admires Peter. She is very excited when he comes to visit, always giving her a special hug and sometimes even a gift. When she finds out that he is a member of the Danish Resistance, and one who helped Ellen to escape with plans similar to those of the Underground Railroad, her respect is magnified and she is able to remember his bravery fondly.
Recurring Themes
Besides bravery, Annemarie learns a lot about pride. She learns about King Christian and his pride for the citizens of Denmark, and also their pride in him as their leader. She also comes to learn that pride does not come from material things, but from inside, as elegantly described in a scene where Ellen and her family stood in borrowed, ragged clothing, yet stood tall and proud with their determined resolution to escape to Sweden.
The images of fairy tales are weaved throughout the story. Kirsti likes to have members of her family tell her these stories, and Annemarie often obliges even though she doesn't care for them herself. The tales of kings and queens and castles help to remind the characters of the good life before the war. While sometimes just a fantasy, the connections help to bring focus to the events going on in the world around them. The story of Little Red Riding Hood is very significant. The story of the innocent girl (Annemarie) and the wolf (soldiers) comes to fully play out in the dark forest when she is needed to fulfill a dangerous mission in order to spare the lives of her best friend and her family. It is on this trek through the forest that Annemarie seems to transition, leaving her childhood behind, running toward adulthood.
The Star of David is a symbolic reminder of the friendship between Annemarie and Ellen. Ellen, who always wore a Star of David necklace around her neck, had it ripped off by Annemarie prior to a search by Nazi soldiers. In her attempt to hide it from the soldiers, it left a vivid imprint in her hand. Annemarie hides the necklace to save for her friend. When the war is over, Annemarie decides to wear the Star of David until such time that she can see her best friend to return it to her. Stars are also prevalent in the psalm that Peter read prior to the escape to Sweden, an excerpt of which became the title of the book, Number the Stars.
Number the Stars was Lois Lowry's first novel to receive the Newbury Medal. The Giver (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1994) also won the prize. Number the Stars is also a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists and an ALA Notable Book.
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