Title: Number the Stars

Author: Lois Lowry

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston

Publication Date: 1989

Genere: Historical Fiction

Audience: 4th - young adult

Overview: Annemarie Johansen is a young girl living in Copenhagen in 1943. Life was complicated for her due to the constant presence of the Nazi soldiers in her town. She is forced to become brave and strong for her family and her younger sister Kristi. When the Nazis begin taking all of the Jews away the Johansen family takes Annemarie's best friend Ellen Rosen and pretend she is part of their family. Three soldiers come to the Johansen house and question them however, they stay brave and think on their feet to convince the soldiers that they are in fact related. The Johansen family helps thousands of jews from Copenhagen escape from the Nazi's. This story shows how people come together in hard times and hold true to their morals.

Activity: This book would be great to use to spark a history discussion about the holocost. It could be a good opening to a discussion because it shows how frightened the girls were and how they were forced to behave beyond their years and stand up for what they believe in. After reading this book the students could do a reading prompt and wright about how they would feel if they were put in the position of the characters in the book.

Reviewer's Name: Kalli Parrish