Analysis of Number the Stars
Bradley Hays
UTEID: bh9497
Association for Library Service to Children Newbery Paper The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children each year. Upon reading “Number the Stars” by Lois Lowry, the Newbery Medal winner in 1990, one can easily understand why this great novel won the coveted John Newbery Medal. There are many reasons as to why “Number the Stars” obtained the Newbery Medal but two main reasons stick out: The use of italics as a descriptive device, and the central theme pertaining to the difficulties of growing up. Firstly, Lois Lowry’s “Number the Stars” focuses on Annemarie Johansen, a young protestant girl growing up in Copenhagen in 1943 during the Nazi occupation of Denmark. The novel begins with Annemarie walking home with her friend Ellen Rosen, who is of Jewish decent. At home, Annemarie is told that the Rosens (also the Johansen’s neighbors) are going away and Ellen is to stay with them. Annemarie is told that the Nazi soldiers are beginning to round up the Jews in Denmark and in order to hide Ellen they must act like sisters. After avoiding a close call during their first night together, Annemarie and Ellen, along with Annemarie’s mother and sister, make their way to the north of Denmark to visit Annemarie’s Uncle Henrik. Upon arrival at Henrik’s abode, Annemarie is told that her “Great-aunt Birte” has died and people are convening at Henrik’s house to pay their dues, as their culture dictates. However, Annemarie is skeptical and knows that there is no “Great-aunt Birte”. Ellen’s family is part of the crowd that comes to Henrik’s house to pay their dues and it becomes evident to Annemarie that in order to save the Rosens her Uncle Henrik, a fisherman, is attempting to smuggle them, along with other Jews, to Sweden by boat. After a few close calls with Nazi soldiers, Annemarie helps the Rosens escape
UTEID: bh9497
Association for Library Service to Children Newbery Paper The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children each year. Upon reading “Number the Stars” by Lois Lowry, the Newbery Medal winner in 1990, one can easily understand why this great novel won the coveted John Newbery Medal. There are many reasons as to why “Number the Stars” obtained the Newbery Medal but two main reasons stick out: The use of italics as a descriptive device, and the central theme pertaining to the difficulties of growing up. Firstly, Lois Lowry’s “Number the Stars” focuses on Annemarie Johansen, a young protestant girl growing up in Copenhagen in 1943 during the Nazi occupation of Denmark. The novel begins with Annemarie walking home with her friend Ellen Rosen, who is of Jewish decent. At home, Annemarie is told that the Rosens (also the Johansen’s neighbors) are going away and Ellen is to stay with them. Annemarie is told that the Nazi soldiers are beginning to round up the Jews in Denmark and in order to hide Ellen they must act like sisters. After avoiding a close call during their first night together, Annemarie and Ellen, along with Annemarie’s mother and sister, make their way to the north of Denmark to visit Annemarie’s Uncle Henrik. Upon arrival at Henrik’s abode, Annemarie is told that her “Great-aunt Birte” has died and people are convening at Henrik’s house to pay their dues, as their culture dictates. However, Annemarie is skeptical and knows that there is no “Great-aunt Birte”. Ellen’s family is part of the crowd that comes to Henrik’s house to pay their dues and it becomes evident to Annemarie that in order to save the Rosens her Uncle Henrik, a fisherman, is attempting to smuggle them, along with other Jews, to Sweden by boat. After a few close calls with Nazi soldiers, Annemarie helps the Rosens escape