Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Number the Stars is the first book I’ve read by Lois Lowry. No doubt it won’t be the last. How I managed to ever go through my entire childhood without ever hearing about this author is beyond me. I have a lot of catching up to do. Number the Stars was the 1990 Newbery Medal winner, and I would say deservingly so.
The time is 1943. The place is Copenhagen, Denmark. Two ten year old best friends Annemarie Johansen and Ellen Rosen are trying to lead ordinary lives by going to school and playing together. But they must deal with the Nazi presence, food shortages, and the fear that trouble is always around the corner. Soon however, Jewish shops are being boycotted and with the threat of relocation for the Jews, the Rosen family finds themselves in danger. With the help of Annemarie and her family, they hide Ellen, leave the city and reunite with Ellen’s family in the countryside. It is now their dangerous responsibility to smuggle Ellen and her family across the sea to neighboring Sweden.
This book is very much about bravery and doing the right thing. Annemarie doesn’t know if she can be brave. Isn’t even sure what bravery really is. It always seem that when in life and death situations like the one presented in Number the Stars, children rise above their abilities and are able to make decisions, wise beyond their years.
“Brave?” Annemarie asked, surprised. “No I wasn’t. I was very frightened.”
“You risked your life.”
But I didn’t even think about that! I was only thinking of — ”
He interrupted her, smiling. “That’s all that brave means - not thinking about the dangers. Just thinking about what you must do.”
Although, Number the Stars is fiction, I learned much about the war and the Holocaust that I didn’t know. For example, almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, about seven thousand people, were smuggled across the sea to Sweden. Where many countries turned it’s back on it’s Jewish citizens, it was touching to see this example of devotion. I also was fascinated with the powder that was created that numbed the dogs noses and temporally destroyed their sense of smell, thus allowing many Jews to be successfully smuggled.
I end my post with the letter that Lowry ended her book with. It’s a letter that was written by a boy in the resistance to his mother, the night before he was put to death.
. . . and I want you all to remember - that you must not dream yourselves back to the times before the war, but the dream for you all, young and old, must be to create an ideal of human decency, and not a narrow-minded and prejudiced one. That is the great gift our country hungers for, something every little peasant boy can look forward to, and with pleasure feel he is a part of - something that he can work and fight for.
Let’s not become complacent and forget that we have not yet created this ideal. Look at Africa. Genocide still happens. I for one almost feel helpless. What difference can I make? I can start by shedding my ignorance. It’s a start.
Purchase Number the Stars by Lois Lowry from my BookWise bookstore. Lois Lowry’s website here.
I loved this book! Great review.
on April 27th, 2008 at 5:06 pmSounds like another great read and touching story.
on April 27th, 2008 at 5:09 pmI love this book. You should definitely make time for The Giver and Gossamer. They’re each wonderful in their own way. Between the three, I don’t know if I could really, truly pick a “favorite.” I love them all.
on April 27th, 2008 at 5:41 pmLOVE this book. I also read it first as an adult. Fantastic.
on April 27th, 2008 at 6:19 pmI adore Lois Lowry. You must now go and read The Giver immediately, that is one of my top 5 favorite books of all time.
on April 27th, 2008 at 6:25 pmOh I’m glad you liked this one. We read this in 4th grade and I’ve read it since then, but even years later it still sticks with me. I read The Giver earlier this year and really enjoyed it.
on April 27th, 2008 at 7:09 pmI love Lois Lowry’s books–most of them. I agree that The Giver is another one of hers that is a must read.
on April 27th, 2008 at 7:09 pmUnfortunately, I didn’t find Lois Lowry when I was a kid either. But I’m glad I’ve found her now. I read the The Giver last year and it made my “Best of 2007″ list. I’m looking forward to reading Number the Stars next. I’m reading it for the Book Awards Reading Challenge. Glad to hear you liked it!
~Kristi (Passion for the Page)
on April 27th, 2008 at 7:27 pmYou left a comment on my blog for “Gathering Blue” already so you know my thoughts on Lois Lowry. I’ve only read “The Giver” trilogy and wondered which of hers I should read next. You’ve answered my question. Thanks.
on April 27th, 2008 at 8:00 pmI read this book many years ago upon the recommendation of the school librarian at my daughter’s elementary school. She introduced me to many wonderful books and authors. This remains one of my favorite books of all time.
on April 27th, 2008 at 8:06 pmHi Natasha!
I’m new to your very beautiful blog. I’ve never read this book … but I will now, thanks to your wonderful review. I’m stopping in for “Weekly Geeks” and I will add you to my Blog Roll and to the Post I make regarding our new Blog Challenge.
If you’d like, please stop by and see me any time. I’d love to have you and new people are always welcome at my blog. It’s great when someone new comments.
Here’s to new friends! I really think this is a great idea!
Hugs
on April 27th, 2008 at 10:50 pmAmy
Park-Avenue Princess
Hi Natasha! I am visiting you as part of Weekly Geeks… I really enjoy reading your blog and will add yours to my blogroll.
on April 27th, 2008 at 11:12 pmLois Lowry was one of my favorite authors in my pre-teen/early teen years. I really need to go back and read some of her books again. You must read The Giver!
on April 28th, 2008 at 7:19 amI have never heard of this author either. My sons had to read “The Giver!” Then, write a paper on it. Cindi
on April 28th, 2008 at 10:55 amThis is a book I have been wanting to read for some time. Can I borrow it?
~ Your Sis, Leisa
on April 28th, 2008 at 11:45 amBig Sis - It’s actually a library book but I would love to add this on to my personal library. When I do, no problem, you can borrow it.
on April 28th, 2008 at 11:47 amI LOVE LOVE LOVE Lois Lowry, and each time I read one of her books, I’m amazed at her diverse writing styles. Along with Number the Stars, The Giver is also one of my favorites, and you should definitely check out her newest book, The Willougbys. It’s a very quirky tale that’s completely different in tone than her more serious books.
on April 29th, 2008 at 1:48 pmThanks everybody for your comments. I have since checked out The Giver from the library and am looking forward to sitting down with it!
on May 5th, 2008 at 9:55 pmHi Natasha- I am on my first visit to your blog. I didn’t read Lois Lowry as a child but I have read The Giver and Number the Stars. I reviewed Number the Stars on my blog. It was one of my favorites of 2007.
on May 9th, 2008 at 7:11 am[…] An excellent book that I highly recommend to those who haven’t read it, but I believe that wouldn’t be very many of you. Visit Lois Lowry’s website here. Read my review of Number the Stars by Lois Lowry here. […]
on May 22nd, 2008 at 3:11 pm