This incredibly moving, award-winning young-people’s novel is set in Denmark in 1943, while the country was under Nazi occupation during World War II. The story tells about the life of two close friends, 10-year-old Annemarie Johansen and Ellen Rosen, and their families. Living in Denmark during that time was very difficult. Nazi soldiers were on every street corner. There were food shortages and the Danes were required to darken their windows every evening.
One day, the Jewish families in Denmark received word that the Germans were going to relocate all the Jews in Denmark. Since the Rosens were Jewish, Mr. and Mrs. Rosen were taken into hiding by the Danish Resistance and Ellen went to live with the Johansens and pretended to be a part of the Johansen family. Annemarie worries what might happen to Ellen as the Nazis capture and “relocate” all Jews. During this time, Annemarie learns about the power of evil, the strength of family, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship.
This is no fairy tale − it’s the story of two Danish families, friends before the war, one Jewish and one Christian, who fight the effects of the German invasion of their country and the subsequent attempt to eliminate the Jewish population.
The evacuation of Jews from Nazi-held Denmark is one of the great untold stories of World War II. On Sept. 29, 1943, word got out in Denmark that Jews were to be detained and then sent to the death camps. Within hours the Danish resistance, population and police arranged a small flotilla to herd 7,000 Danish Jews to Sweden. Lois Lowry fictionalizes this event to bring this courageous tale to life, as Annemarie’s family help smuggle the Rosens of the country. Winner of the 1990 Newbery Medal for children’s literature, Number the is excellent for ages 10 and up.
“Number The Stars” was donated to the Library by Alma McGuire.