Number the Stars

by Lois Lowry

Grades 5-6; Genre - Fiction; GRL U; AR pts: 4.0

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.

Comprehension Questions

Chapter 1

1. What’s the setting of this story? Copenhagen, Denmark during WWII p.1
2. How long has Denmark been occupied by the Germans? 3 years p.3
3. Why did the encounter with the soldiers scare Annemarie and Ellen? The soldiers had guns and spoke harshly p.5

Chapter 2

1. Who are the king’s bodyguards? All of Denmark p.14
2. Why didn’t King Christian want to fight the Nazis? He knew his army would have been crushed p.15
3. Who is Peter and what’s his relation to Annemarie? 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 p.17

Chapter 3

1. Why were the girls puzzled when they saw the Hirsch’s button shop closed?  The store was usually open and they had seen Mrs. Hirsch recently p.20
2. What did Peter bring the two girls? seashells p.23
3. Why was Annemarie worried about Ellen’s family? The soldiers were threatening Jewish people p.24

Chapter 4

1. Why are Kirsti’s new shoes made out of fish skin? With the Germans occupying their country, they can’t get leather p.28
2. Why do the Rosens need to go into hiding? The Nazis were arresting all the Jews p.36
3. How were the Johansen’s going to hide Ellen? They will pretend that Ellen is Annemarie’s sister p.37

Chapter 5

1. What was Ellen wearing that would have given her away to the soldier? a Star of David necklace p.45
2. Why did the officer suspect Ellen? She had dark hair and Annemarie and her sister had blond hair p.47
3. How did Papa prove to the soldiers that Ellen was a part of their family? Lise had dark hair as a baby and he showed them her photograph p.47

Chapter 6

1. Why did Mrs. Johansen want to take the girls to her brothers by herself? It would look suspicious if they left the apartment together p.51
2. Why were Annemarie and her mother nervous when Kirsti spoke to the soldier on the train? They thought she would give them all away p.55
3. How did the soldier try and trick them? He asked if they were celebrating the New Year p.55

Chapter 7

1. Why didn’t Annemarie’s mom want the girls talking to anyone? It would be hard to explain who Ellen is p.63
2. Why did Annemarie take Ellen to the ocean? Ellen had never seen it before p.63
3. When listening to her mother and uncle, what did Annemarie notice was different? There was no laughter p.66

Chapter 8

1. Why did Annemarie’s mom say her Uncle Henrik needed a wife? He needed someone to take care of him and clean his house p.70
2. Who had died? Great-aunt Birte p.72
3. Why was her death puzzling to Annemarie? She didn’t have a Great-aunt Birte p.72

Chapter 9

1. Why did Annemarie’s mother and uncle lie to her? To help her be brave by not telling her everything p.76
2. Why did Annemarie decide not to tell Ellen? So Ellen could be brave by not knowing everything p.78
3. Who did Peter bring with him to Uncle Henrik’s for the funeral? Ellen’s parents p.81

Chapter 10

1. Who came during the funeral? Soldiers p.83
2. Why didn’t the soldiers want Mama to open the casket? Annemarie’s mama said their aunt died of Typhus p.85
3. Where does the title of this book come from and what does it mean? The Book of Psalms; God numbers each of his children as the stars in the sky and knows them all p.87

Chapter 11

1. What was inside the casket? Blankets and clothes p.88
2. Why did the people need clothes and blankets? to keep warm while they traveled across the sea to Sweden p.89
3. Why did Peter give the baby medicine? To make her sleepy to she wouldn’t cry p.90

Chapter 12

1. How long did Annemarie think her mother would be gone? 1 hour p.97
2. Why was Annemarie worried when she woke up? Her mother hadn’t returned and it was getting light outside p.98
3. What did Annemarie see on the trail outside? Her mother in a heap p.100

Chapter 13

1. What happened to Annemarie’s mother on the way back from the harbor? She broke her ankle p.102
2. What had fallen out of Mr. Rosen’s pocket? The packet Peter had given him to give to Uncle Henrik p.104
3. Why did Annemarie hide the packet under food in a basket? In case she ran into soldiers, and it would be
   hidden p.105

Chapter 14

1. Why did Annemarie need to hurry to the harbor? She needed to get the packet to her uncle before he left p.106
2. What story did Annemarie think of while she was running to the boat? Little Red Riding-Hood p.107
3. What was in front of Annemarie at the end of this chapter? Four armed soldiers and two large dogs p.112

Chapter 15

1. Who did Annemarie mimic when she was conversing with the soldiers? Kirsti p.113
2. What was in the package? A handkerchief p.117
3. Why did Henrik reassure Annemarie when she looked in the cabin of the boat? She couldn’t see any of the people that were trying to escape p.119

Chapter 16

1. What’s Uncle Henrik’s definition of brave? Not thinking about the dangers, but what you must do p.123
2. What’s the resistance? A group of people who are fighting against the Germans (in this situation) p.123
3. Why was the handkerchief important? It made the dogs lose their sense of smell so they couldn’t find the people hiding on the boat p.125

Chapter 17

1. Share what you learned about the WWII from the story? Listen to your child's answer
2. 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.
3. What is a theme explored throughout this story? Explain. Example: loyalty and friendship; bravery and resistance; sacrifice and social responsibility
4. Did you enjoy this story? Why or why not? Listen to your child's answer