My Words on Children's Literature

Genre 5 HISTORICAL FICTION

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lowry, Lois. 1989. NUMBER THE STARS. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co.

ISBN 0395510600

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Denmark is occupied by the Nazis in 1943. Life becomes increasingly difficult and scary as 10 year old Annemarie becomes aware that her Jewish friend is in danger. Unknown to Annemarie, her family worked with the Danish resistance to smuggle Jewish Danes out of Denmark across the ocean into free Sweden. Her parents told her as little as possible for her own safety. In the end, Annemarie had a vital role in making the smuggle attempt a success.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Lowry fictionalizes a true story in history in a way that young readers can understand without all of the truly evil details. The story focuses on the relationship of two good friends and their families. The main character, Annemarie, wrestles with fear and bravery. She struggles to understand what's going on since her parents reveal only small parts of the situation. Through her eyes, readers come to understand the true meaning of bravery as Annemarie speaks to Nazi soldiers and delivers the all important packet. The plot comes right out of history. Annemarie's family and their actions comfortably fit right into the facts of the story. Lowry's style of writing demonstrates her ability to weave lighter story elements with the heavier ones. She captures the innocence of the children as they try to understand what's going on. "But why the button shop? What harm is a button shop? Mrs. Hirsch is such a nice lady." As the story progresses, and Annemarie realizes more and more of what is happening, the theme of bravery continues to develop. During the ultimate test of her bravery, she remembers the words of her mother and the example of her little sister. She plays a part and successfully delivers the basket. Her uncle sums it up, "All is well. . . because of you, Annemarie, everything is all right."

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Booklist: "Lowry tells her story well. . . . While the novel has an absorbing plot, its real strength lies in its evocation of deep friendship between two girls and of a caring family who make a profoundly moral choice to protect others during wartime. Permeated with clear elements of popular appeal as well as rich substance, this novel will also be an ideal support for classroom units on World War II."

Hornbook: “The message is so closely woven into the carefully honed narrative that the whole work is seamless, compelling, and memorable--impossible to put down; difficult to forget."

5. CONNECTIONS

*This book would go well with a unit on courage, or WWII.

*Lead a discussion on doing what’s right when it is not easy.

Other related books:

*Levine, Ellen. DARKNESS OVER DENMARK: THE DANISH RESISTANCE AND THE RESCUE OF THE JEWS. ISBN 0823417557

*Tevskov, Peter H. CONQUERED NOT DEFEATED: GROWING UP IN DENMARK DURING THE GERMAN OCCUPATION OF WORLD WAR II. ISBN1555716385

// posted by catalogblog @ 10:32 AM