NUMBER THE STAR Historical Fiction is a story that takes

readers to a time and place in the past.

What is the meaning of Naziz?
How far back in time does an author
a. : one who espouses the beliefs and have to go for their work to be
policies of the German Nazis : fascist. considered Historical Fiction? A good
b. : one who is likened to a German rule of thumb is a minimum of 50 years.
Nazi : a harshly domineering, The idea is to take readers out of the
dictatorial, or intolerant person. a events of their lifetime. Most book lovers
grammar nazi. agree that Historical Fiction is the
closest we’ll get to actual time travel.
Types of Historical Fiction
What was the purpose of writing
Number the Stars? Documentary Fiction
Lowry wrote Number the Stars in 1988. Biographical Historical Fiction
She was inspired by a friend who had
Historical Series and Epics
grown up in Denmark during World
War II, when the country was occupied Historical Mysteries and Thrillers
by Nazi Germany. At that time, Jewish
Historical Romance
people all over Europe were being
arrested and then killed by Ger- mans Historical Adventures
THEME Historical Fantasy
The novel explores themes of bravery, CHARACTERS
friendship, and the resilience of the
human spirit in the face of adversity. Annemarie Johansen, Ellen Rosen,
Annemarie's courage and Johannsen family, peter
resourcefulness are central to the plot as Nielsen, Henrik and NAZI soldiers
she navigates dangerous situations and
confronts the harsh realities of war.
MORAL LESSON PLOT

teaches the meaning of courage as the Annemarie Johansen and Ellen Rosen, a
Jewish family in the story faces the two ten-year-old best friends living in
challenges presented by the Germans.
Number the Stars teaches the lesson of Nazi-controlled Copenhagen, Denmark,
hope. during World War II, are stopped on the
What is the style of Number the Stars? street on their way home from school by
Children's Literature; Historical Fiction; German soldiers. Annemarie tells her
War Drama
parents about the incident when she
Historical Fiction” Definition
returns home
She is told to be more careful, especially When they arrive, Henrik tells
because Annemarie that her Great-Aunt
Ellen is Jewish. The Germans soon Birte has died, and a huge casket is
announce that they placed in the middle of the
will be "relocating" Denmark's Jewish living room. Annemarie doesn't believe
population. At she has a Great-Aunt
the local synagogue, the Nazis take the
Birte, but Henrik encourages her to be
names and
brave and keep this
addresses of every Jewish family in
Copenhagen. secret to herself, even from Ellen. The
next evening, many
Ellen's parents flee Denmark with
Annemarie's brother people come to mourn "Aunt Birte", to
Annemarie's
in-law, Peter. Ellen is forced to stay with
the Johansens puzzlement. Nazis come to the house
and see start questioning
and pretend to be Lise, despite being
half the age of the family. They explain that Great-Aunt
the real Lise. One early morning, three Birte has died, and
soldiers enter they are carrying out traditional rituals.
the Johansens' apartment, believing the When the Nazis order
Rosens might the casket to be opened, Mrs. Johansen
be hiding there. lies that Great-Aunt
Birte had typhus, a contagious disease,
and the Nazis leave
Ellen tells them that she and Anne are
without further questions.
sisters, with Anne's parents providing
photos to prove this. The soldiers are
After they leave, the wake continues.
suspicious of their story, but leave
Peter, who is
anyways. Annemarie, Ellen, and Kirsti
present, reads to the group the
leave with Annemarie's mother the next beginning of Psalm

morning for Uncle Henrik's house, 147 from the Bible, which describes the
which Lord God

is across the lake from Sweden, a neutral numbering the stars. Annemarie's mind
begin to
country where Jews aren't persecuted.
wander since she is unfamiliar with the Ellen Rosen Ellen is a 10-year-old
psalm. After Jewish girl living in Copenhagen,
Denmark, during World War II. Read
finishing, Peter opens the casket and
More
gives the warm
Annemarie Johansen Annemarie is
clothing and blankets stored inside it to
a 10-year-old Danish girl living in
the Jewish
Copenhagen, Denmark, during World
families. They leave in smaller groups to War II. Read More
avoid
Mrs. Johansen Mrs. Inge Johansen
drawing attention to themselves. Ellen is Annemarie's mother. Read More
says goodbye
Mr. Johansen Mr. Johansen is
to Annemarie and her mother. Annemarie's father. Read More
Uncle HenrikHenrik is Annemarie's
maternal uncle. He uses his boat to ferry
After they leave, the wake continues. Jews to Sweden. Read More
Peter, who is
Peter NeilsenPeter was Lise's fiancé
present, reads to the group the before she was killed. He is very active in
beginning of Psalm the Resistance and dies as a result. Read
147 from the Bible, which describes the More
Lord God Kirsti Johansen Kirsti―a nickname
numbering the stars. Annemarie's mind for Kirsten―is a five-year-old Danish
begin to girl with blonde hair. She is Annemarie's
little sister. Kirsti is a little girl who still
wander since she is unfamiliar with the sees the world with innocent eyes. She
psalm. provides some normality to life for all
After finishing, Peter opens the casket the Johansens.
and gives Lise Johansen Lise is Annemarie's
the warm clothing and blankets stored sister. She died as a fighter in the Danish
inside it to Resistance. Nazis ran her over with a
car.
the Jewish families. They leave in
smaller groups Mrs. Sophy Rosen Mrs. Rosen is
Ellen's mother. Mrs. Rosen and Mr.
to avoid drawing attention to Rosen go into hiding on Rosh Hashanah
themselves. Ellen because they've received word Jews will
says goodbye to Annemarie and her be taken and "relocated."
mother. Mr. Rosen Mr. Rosen is a teacher and
Character Description Ellen's father. He and Mrs. Rosen go
into hiding on Rosh Hashanah because
they've received word Jews will be taken
and "relocated."