Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Number the Stars (Lois Lowry)

Annemarie lives with her family in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1943. Her friend, Ellen, and her family live in the same apartment complex. Under Nazi occupation, life is hard but goes on. One day, they hear that the Nazis are going to start rounding up the Jews to be 'relocated'. Ellen is Jewish. The Danish Resistance works to help such families flee to the safety of Sweden . . . will Ellen's family be able to escape? And, if called upon to help, can Annemarie be brave? Though she is not in as precarious a situation, she will learn that sometimes there is "Less danger, perhaps, but more fear."

This is an award-winning children's historical fiction classic for a reason; it is a poignant look at life in a terrible time. I like the quote Annemarie's father provides at one point, when there is so much fear and uncertainty:
They call it 'relocation.' We don't even know what that means. We only know that it is wrong, and it is dangerous, and we must help. 
A concise description.

Rating: A

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