Number of Stars by Lois Lowry

Rating: 4/5

Summary:

This is a story about perseverance and hope. The year is 1943, and Copenhagen, Denmark is the setting. Hitler's army has taken control of the area. Soldiers can be found everywhere. Annemarie's life has changed dramatically since she was ten years old. There isn't much food, and everyone is terrified. There has been talk of relocating all Jews to another location.Annemarie finds this difficult because her best friend, Ellen, is Jewish. This is a unique perspective on the war. It demonstrates that Jews were not the only ones who suffered during the war. Lise, Annemarie's eldest daughter, died just a few weeks before her wedding. Annemarie will follow in the footsteps of her sister Lise. She intends to join the resistance movement in order to fight the Nazis. For a variety of reasons, she becomes a heroine (a female hero).

Strengths:

The novel's background allows the reader to be transported to Denmark during the Nazi occupation. You can share the same pride in their King and country's beliefs as the citizens of that country. You can see and feel the city's pain as a result of the Nazi occupation and segregation.

Weaknesses:

It's difficult for me to find a flaw in this novel because it's so good. Because of the short length of the story, I found it to be a little fast-paced. I didn't think it detracted from the novel, but I would have preferred to read the story for longer and have Annamarie and Ellen spend more time together. I'd also like to know if Ellen will return from Sweden and how many Jews will be able to return.

My Opinion:

Annemarie's inner thoughts are always visible to the reader, which I adore. The reader can feel her inner turmoil as she tries to be brave enough for her friend. Annemarie believes that the situation she is in is something that should only happen in a fairytale. She realizes that she needs to mature beyond her years, and that is a thought that everyone can relate to.