Number the Stars Book Report

Title- Number the Stars
Author- Lois Lowry
Genre- Historical Fiction                             138 pages
Setting-
Time- 1943 during the Second World War
Place- Copenhagen, Denmark

Summary-
The story begins with Annemarie Johansen and her friend Ellen Rosen having a race down the street when they are confronted by two Nazi soldiers. Later that night, Annemarie reminisced about her older sister, Lise’s death and how she was hit by a car. After the Nazis begin to close down stores and shops run by Jews, Peter Nielson, Lise’s, fiancé takes Ellen’s parents into hiding, and leaves Ellen with the Johansens. That night, Nazi soldiers arrive at the Johansen’s apartment demanding the whereabouts of the Rosen family. After failing to get answers from the Johansens, the Nazi soldiers leave. The next morning, Annemarie and her mother leave the city and go to stay with Annemarie’s Uncle Henrik in the country-side. After being told by Annemarie’s mother that her Great Aunt Birte has died, they will have a funeral. That night at the funeral, several Jewish families arrive at their house. Peter Nielson arrives and distributes clothing and blankets to the Jews that would be fleeing from Denmark. After all the Jews are escorted to the docks for them to be smuggled into Sweden, Annemarie’s mother realizes that Uncle Henrik, who was one of the people smuggling out the Jews   forgot to take a package which Annemarie delivers to him. After Annemarie delivers the package to Uncle Henrik, she returns home to her mother. Two years later the war is over and all of Denmark is celebrating.  

Conflict-
The conflict of this story is the Nazi occupation of Denmark. The Nazis are tracking down the Jews and taking them elsewhere, presumably to concentration camps. At first, the soldiers go to the synagogue to find the names and addresses of the Jews. The soldiers then begin to discriminate against the Jews.

Resolution-
Although all the Jews were not saved, some were smuggled...