Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Central, East, and Cummings 6th grade students are participating in a program developed by Josh Bernstein of Grandville Public Library. Once a month, a new book is introduced during our lunch time. Volunteer readers read the book as we eat. Below is a place where we can discuss the book and our reactions as well as connect with one another as we prepare to move on to 7th grade and become the class of the Class of 2016!
November’s Lit. Lunch Read: NUMBER THE STARS by Lois Lowry
Lois Lowry’s Web site
How brave are you, little Annemarie?” Uncle Henrik asks his ten-year-old niece. It is 1943, and to Annemarie Johansen, life in Copenhagen is a complicated mix of ordinary home and school life, food shortages, and the constant presence of Nazi soldiers. Bravery seems a vague virtue, one possessed by dragon-slaying knights in the bedtime stories she tells her younger sister, Kirsti. Too soon, she herself is called upon for courage.
As the German troops begin their campaign to “relocate” all the Jews of Denmark, the Johansens take in Annemarie’s best friend, Ellen Rosen, and pretend she is part of the family. Ellen and Annemarie must think quickly when three Nazi officers arrive late one night and question why Ellen is not blond, like her sisters.
Through Annemarie’s eyes, we see the Danish Resistance as they manage to smuggle almost the entire Jewish population, nearly 7000 people, across the sea to Sweden. In this tale of an entire nation’s heroism, Lois Lowry reminds us that there is pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war.
Questions for book talk:
1. How does Annemarie behave around the German soldiers? How does Kirsti? Why might the sisters behave so differently? Do you or your parents act differently around police officers?
2. Contrast the fantasy world of the fairy tale Annemarie tells Kirsti with the reality of the world the girls know. Why might Kirsti be especially in need of hearing fairy tales? Why might fairy tales be comforting to Annemarie? Do you ever use make-believe to help you through some sad/scary times?
3. What lie does Uncle Henrik tell Annemarie?
4. How do Annemarie’s experiences in this section force her to grow up in a way that Ellen is not yet forced to? Have you ever had to face hard situations that have made you have to grow up?
5. Why did Mama send Annemarie with the lunch packet for Uncle Henrik instead of taking it herself?
6. When the soldiers stop Annemarie and have their dogs, how does Annemarie use what her uncle has taught her and her observations of Kirsti’s earlier behavior to deal with the German soldiers? What do you think you would have done in that situation?
7. So, after reading about such a horrible event in our world’s history, did this book make you feel optimistic or pessimistic about human nature? Why? What do you think we can do in our time in history to make things like this never to happen again? Any ideas for what we 6th grade classes can do to impact Grandville or the area for the better?
Connect to Real Life:
1. What is the Star of David that Ellen wears on a gold chain around her neck?
(”Shield of David”). Jewish symbol composed of two overlaid equilateral triangles that form a six-pointed star. It appears on synagogues, tombstones, and the flag of Israel. An ancient sign not much used by Jews before the Middle Ages, it was popularized by Kabbalists for protection against evil spirits. The Jewish community of Prague adopted it as an official symbol and its use became widespread in the 17th century. Though it has neither biblical nor Talmudic authority, it became a nearly universal emblem of Judaism in the 19th century. The Nazis’ use of it to identify Jews invested it with the symbolism of martyrdom and heroism.
Nazi Star of David the Jews had to wear on their clothing to identify them as Jewish.