chapter book 9

Title: Number the Stars
Author:Lois Lowry
Illustrator:n/a
Readability Score:5.1
Awards:Newberry
Primary Characters: Annemarie Johansen, Ellen Rosen
Secondary Characters: The Johansen Family, The Rosen Family, Peter, and Uncle Henrik
Theme: Your never to young to be a hero
Genre: Historical Fiction
Sub Genre: Realsitc Fiction
Publicaton:1989
Publisher:Bantam Doubleday Dell
ISBN:0-440-40327-8
Summary: AnneMarie who lives in Copenhagen has a best friend who is Jewish. This would not be considered a big deal now, but back then (1943) the Nazi's are "relocating" the Jewish people. One night AnneMarie's family is searched by the Nazi's looking for Jews- Ellen is at their house at the time, because her parents had already took off to safety. Cleverly the Johansen family claims Ellen is their own- even though she does not resemble the rest of the blond headed Johansen family. Once morning comes, the family- with the exception of the father- takes off to Uncle Henrik's house. Uncle Henrik owns his own boat and can help the family to safety.  At Uncle Henriks house other Jews are gathered pretend to be hosting a funeral which was not uncommon in those days to have a coffin and funeral viewing in the family home. That night the families take off to the boat. AnneMarie stays at Uncle Henriks home while her mother leads them to Uncle Henriks boat. That morning Annemarie finds her mom- with her ankle broken and a very important hankercheif laying beside her. This hankerchif should be with the families aboard the boat! AnneMarie finds herself mustering up the coarage to run to the boat- hosting a conversation with Nazis guards and eventually getting the hankercheif to Uncle Henrik and thus helping the families esacpe to the safe land of Sweeden. You see the hankerchief has a type of "cologne" that makes dogs unable to smell humans that are hidden on the boat.
How Would Use: This book could be used in so many ways. As a history lesson- it shows the sutdents exactly how children and families were living in those days- and even "non- Jews" were not in great conditions wither. There was no gas and lack of major food- even cupcakes. I would also have the students write about a time where they had to "muster" up courage to do something. And then discuss how much more AnneMarie put on the line- Her own life.