Number the Stars

[kmicahkelley]

When I first began to read Number the Stars a few years ago, I found that I could hardly get passed page three without dozing off. Recently, I had a friend tell me I should give the book another chance. I decided to give it another go. This time around, I had a very different reaction and I couldn’t put the book down!
The story is about a ten-year-old girl living in Copenhagen, Denmark during the Nazi invasion. Young Annemarie Johansen’s life is drastically altered, between her disappearing neighbors, rations on food and Nazi soldiers on every corner. When the invasion in her neighborhood begins to progress and get serious, Annemarie learns that the war is effecting her a lot more than she ever imagined it would. Her best friend’s family, the Rosens, are forced to separate for their safety, and Annemarie learns that when the world you live in needs improvements, bravery is always appreciated, regardless your age.

Number the Stars is a gripping and moving novel that truly deserves its Newbery Medal. The book grasps the reader and satisfies them with a suspenseful, sad and hopeful novel.

[Charles Darnay]

Wow I remember this book - now I feel old. I probably read this fifteen years ago - I don't remember much.

[Buh4Bee]

This is a popular theme for young adult fiction. I occasionally like reading young adult and I would like to read this. Thanks for sharing.

[qimissung]

It's a very good novel for young readers. I read it about 15 years ago, too, Charles Darnay, when I was first teaching, which I started a bit later than others, ahem.

I read somewhere, I don't remember now, that the U.S. is the only nation that publishes consistently novels about the Holocaust for young people. I have not checked the validity of this statement. Does anybody in our Europe contingent know if this is so?