Number the Stars — Content Guide for Parents
Found in this book
- ViolenceBrief
- Scary contentSupporting
- ReligionBriefJewish
- Race & cultureCentral
Not found
- Profanity
- Climate
- Sexual content
- Gender roles
- Gender & orientation
Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Summaries and source quotes for every theme.
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Religion
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
The unforgettable Newbery Medal-winning novel from Lois Lowry. As the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen's family takes in Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family.
Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war.
A modern classic of historical fiction, Number the Stars has won generations of fans and continues to speak to today's readers. Jessica Grose wrote in a November 2022 New York Times essay entitled "This Perfect Mother-Daughter Read Holds a Powerful Lesson for Fighting Antisemitism": "Number the Stars is particularly relevant to our family, and to this moment."
As School Library Journal put it: "Readers are taken to the very heart of Annemarie's experience, and, through her eyes, come to understand the true meaning of bravery."
Frequently asked questions
Is Number the Stars appropriate for a 7-year-old?
Nazi soldiers slap a character's mother, and the book mentions a resistance member's execution and a sister's death, but reviewers say there is little violence. Annemarie has several tense encounters with German soldiers, including one alone on a country road with soldiers and two large dogs.
Does Number the Stars have violence?
Found (Brief): Nazi soldiers slap a character's mother, and the book mentions a resistance member's execution and a sister's death, but reviewers say there is little violence.
Does Number the Stars have scary content?
Found (Supporting): Annemarie has several tense encounters with German soldiers, including one alone on a country road with soldiers and two large dogs.
Does Number the Stars have religion?
Found (Brief, Jewish): A Psalm about God numbering the stars is read to the gathered Jewish refugees and gives the book its title, and Ellen's Star of David necklace appears.
Does Number the Stars have race & culture?
Found (Central): The story is about Nazis targeting Danish Jews for arrest and a Danish family hiding and helping to rescue their Jewish friends.
Does Number the Stars have profanity?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Number the Stars have climate?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Number the Stars have sexual content?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Number the Stars have gender roles?
Not found in the sources we checked.
Does Number the Stars have gender & orientation?
Not found in the sources we checked.
