Number the Stars
About
In 1943, during the German occupation of Denmark, ten-year-old Annemarie learns how to be courageous when she helps shelter her Jewish friend from the Nazis. The story contains profanity, violence, slurs, and negative stereotypes.
Read one section at a time, then discuss the questions to review understanding. These questions are a starting place for conversation, not a complete test of the chapter.
Chapter 1
Comprehension questions
What’s the setting of this story?
Page 1 — Copenhagen, Denmark during WWII
1
How long has Denmark been occupied by the Germans?
Page 3 — 3 years
3
Why did the encounter with the soldiers scare Annemarie and Ellen?
Page 5 — The soldiers had guns and spoke harshly
5
Chapter 2
Comprehension questions
Who are the king’s bodyguards?
Page 14 — All of Denmark
14
Why didn’t King Christian want to fight the Nazis?
Page 15 — He knew his army would have been crushed
15
Who is Peter and what’s his relation to Annemarie?
Page 17 — Her sister’s fiancé before she passed away; he had been like a brother to her, but is always in a hurry now and only talks to her mama and papa
17
Chapter 3
Comprehension questions
Why were the girls puzzled when they saw the Hirsch’s button shop closed?
Page 20 — The store was usually open and they had seen Mrs. Hirsch recently
20
What did Peter bring the two girls?
Page 23 — seashells
23
Why was Annemarie worried about Ellen’s family?
Page 24 — The soldiers were threatening Jewish people
24
Chapter 4
Comprehension questions
Why are Kirsti’s new shoes made out of fish skin?
Page 28 — With the Germans occupying their country, they can’t get leather
28
Why do the Rosens need to go into hiding?
Page 36 — The Nazis were arresting all the Jews
36
How were the Johansen’s going to hide Ellen?
Page 37 — They will pretend that Ellen is Annemarie’s sister
37
Chapter 5
Comprehension questions
What was Ellen wearing that would have given her away to the soldier?
Page 45 — a Star of David necklace
45
Why did the officer suspect Ellen?
Page 47 — She had dark hair and Annemarie and her sister had blond hair
47
How did Papa prove to the soldiers that Ellen was a part of their family?
Page 47 — Lise had dark hair as a baby and he showed them her photograph
47
Chapter 6
Comprehension questions
Why did Mrs. Johansen want to take the girls to her brothers by herself?
Page 51 — It would look suspicious if they left the apartment together
51
Why were Annemarie and her mother nervous when Kirsti spoke to the soldier on the train?
Page 55 — They thought she would give them all away
55
How did the soldier try and trick them?
Page 55 — He asked if they were celebrating the New Year
55
Chapter 7
Comprehension questions
Why didn’t Annemarie’s mom want the girls talking to anyone?
Page 63 — It would be hard to explain who Ellen is
63
Why did Annemarie take Ellen to the ocean?
Page 63 — Ellen had never seen it before
63
When listening to her mother and uncle, what did Annemarie notice was different?
Page 66 — There was no laughter
66
Chapter 8
Comprehension questions
Why did Annemarie’s mom say her Uncle Henrik needed a wife?
Page 70 — He needed someone to take care of him and clean his house
70
Who had died?
Page 72 — Great-aunt Birte
72
Why was her death puzzling to Annemarie?
Page 72 — She didn’t have a Great-aunt Birte
72
Chapter 9
Comprehension questions
Why did Annemarie’s mother and uncle lie to her?
Page 76 — To help her be brave by not telling her everything
76
Why did Annemarie decide not to tell Ellen?
Page 78 — So Ellen could be brave by not knowing everything
78
Who did Peter bring with him to Uncle Henrik’s for the funeral?
Page 81 — Ellen’s parents
81
Chapter 10
Comprehension questions
Who came during the funeral?
Page 83 — Soldiers
83
Why didn’t the soldiers want Mama to open the casket?
Page 85 — Annemarie’s mama said their aunt died of Typhus
85
Where does the title of this book come from and what does it mean?
Page 87 — The Book of Psalms; God numbers each of his children as the stars in the sky and knows them all
87
Chapter 11
Comprehension questions
What was inside the casket?
Page 88 — Blankets and clothes
88
Why did the people need clothes and blankets?
Page 89 — to keep warm while they traveled across the sea to Sweden
89
Why did Peter give the baby medicine?
Page 90 — To make her sleepy to she wouldn’t cry
90
Chapter 12
Comprehension questions
How long did Annemarie think her mother would be gone?
Page 97 — 1 hour
97
Why was Annemarie worried when she woke up?
Page 98 — Her mother hadn’t returned and it was getting light outside
98
What did Annemarie see on the trail outside?
Page 100 — Her mother in a heap
100
Chapter 13
Comprehension questions
What happened to Annemarie’s mother on the way back from the harbor?
Page 102 — She broke her ankle
102
What had fallen out of Mr. Rosen’s pocket?
Page 104 — The packet Peter had given him to give to Uncle Henrik
104
Why did Annemarie hide the packet under food in a basket?
Page 105 — In case she ran into soldiers, and it would be hidden
105
Chapter 14
Comprehension questions
Why did Annemarie need to hurry to the harbor?
Page 106 — She needed to get the packet to her uncle before he left
106
What story did Annemarie think of while she was running to the boat?
Page 107 — Little Red Riding-Hood
107
What was in front of Annemarie at the end of this chapter?
Page 112 — Four armed soldiers and two large dogs
112
Chapter 15
Comprehension questions
Who did Annemarie mimic when she was conversing with the soldiers?
Page 113 — Kirsti
113
What was in the package?
Page 117 — A handkerchief
117
Why did Henrik reassure Annemarie when she looked in the cabin of the boat?
Page 119 — She couldn’t see any of the people that were trying to escape
119
Chapter 16
Comprehension questions
What’s Uncle Henrik’s definition of brave?
Page 123 — Not thinking about the dangers, but what you must do
123
What’s the resistance?
Page 123 — A group of people who are fighting against the Germans (in this situation)
123
Why was the handkerchief important?
Page 125 — It made the dogs lose their sense of smell so they couldn’t find the people hiding on the boat
125
Chapter 17
Comprehension questions
Share what you learned about the WWII from the story?
Listen to your child's answer
How does the behavior of Annemarie’s family contrast with that of the Nazi soldiers? List two major differences.
Example: Annemarie's family tried to protect and save others. They used stories, whispers and secret codes to communicate with each other. The soldiers were ordered to watch and relocate the Jews, They used harsh commands, shouting and fear to control others.
What is a theme explored throughout this story? Explain.
Example: loyalty and friendship; bravery and resistance; sacrifice and social responsibility
Did you enjoy this story? Why or why not?
Listen to your child's answer
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Worksheets
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