I am enjoying Lois Lowry's Number the Stars just as much now as I did in sixth grade! This was one of my favorite books as a child, partly because I remember my teacher being so enthusiastic about it. I will definitely include this novel in my curriculum whenever possible, and hopefully portray the same enthusiasm my sixth grade teacher did. This book is so easy to relate to, especially for children, which is another reason I enjoy it so much. However on my second read because I am older, I find myself relating more to Annemarie's parents than to Annemarie and Ellen. I cannot imagine being put in their situation with, say, the two little girls I babysit or my little cousins. I would not even know how to go about informing children of such a serious and dangerous event, but they seem to do it beautifully. In this sense then, Number the Stars offers young readers other children they can relate to (Annemarie and Ellen), and also wonderful role models (the girls' parents). The fact that a story of the Holocaust is told through the eyes of a young girl makes it so much less intimidating for our students. It informs them of how that terrible time affected children and young adults their own age, which can help them to comprehend much better than reading facts out of a history book. In my opinion, relating material to students' own lives will always improve their understanding and remembrance of it. Lowry also provides a glimpse of the Holocaust through the eyes of what could just as easily be these young readers' parents. I think making these connections when teaching a unit as serious and tough as the Holocaust can put the material on our students' level, and make it a little less scary to learn and discuss.


I looked online for ideas to teach Number the Stars in relation to the Holocaust. One website strongly suggested discussing with students the reoccurring Star of  David, and what it means to Jewish people. I think this is especially important, since it comes up many times in the novel and our students may not know a lot about the Jewish faith. Perhaps introducing the Jewish faith in general and major events and countries included in the Holocaust prior to reading the novel would be beneficial. In addition, Denmark may be a little known country to students in sixth or seventh grade. I remember wondering about characteristics of Copenhagen, Denmark in sixth grade. It is hard to understand the context of a story if the reader cannot grasp setting. One website offered this activity:

"1. Travel Brochure

Prepare a travel brochure using pictures found or drawn from Denmark to share with the class and encouraging people to visit this country after the war."

Some modifications could be made to this activity, such as half the class making a brochure of Denmark during the war, and half of post-war Denmark. Comparisons could then be made in class discussion. This would also be beneficial to students if completed prior to reading the novel, and help them to accurately imagine where Number the Stars takes place.