Book details
Lois Lowry - Author
A friendship-and-rescue story set amid occupation, food shortages and Nazi soldiers in Copenhagen. Annemarie’s family shelters Ellen, then Annemarie faces a dangerous task connected with keeping her friend safe.
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend, Ellen Rosen, often think about life before the war. But it's now 1943, and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching in their town. The Nazis won't stop. The Jews of Denmark are being "relocated," so Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be part of the family. Then Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission. Somehow she must find the strength and courage to save her best friend's life. There's no turning back now.
Book Analysis
Sign in to see how this book fits your child and family preferences.
Sign in for personalised guidanceHow the book presents it: The book presents this favourably.
Talk about: What helps Annemarie act when she is frightened?
How the book presents it: It offers a snapshot of daily life and historical events, with an afterward identifying what is based in fact.
Talk about: Which parts of the characters’ wartime experience would you like to learn more about?
The story puts courage, empathy and helping others at its centre, while giving a view of daily life under occupation, including rationing and the risks faced by Jewish neighbours.
There are tense encounters with soldiers, a slap, a broken ankle, and references to deaths and disappearances. The story also mentions a baby being drugged to keep her quiet during a dangerous night.
What does Annemarie think bravery means at first, and does her understanding change as she faces danger?
Consider reading together if the wartime danger feels intense; pause to distinguish the characters’ immediate experiences from the wider history, which the story’s afterward also addresses.
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry | Open Library
Limited information
Checked: 1 October 2026.
Relevant to: Courage and helping others
Limited information
Checked: 1 October 2026.
Relevant to: Courage and helping others; Wartime life in Denmark
Benefits, discussion questions and reading approaches are suggestions. Your knowledge of your child remains part of the decision.
Suitabook