Lois Lowry is one of the
most popular writers of children’s books today and rightfully so.
She has written about difficult subjects in ways that children can
understand. This is not to say that her books have not met with
controversy. For example, The Giver,
probably her best known story, has been praised by some educators and
banned by others.
NUMBER THE STARS,
her other Newbery Award winner, takes place in Copenhagen in 1942 and
deals with two ordinary young girls, several Nazi soldiers, and the
Denmark effort to save their Jewish citizens.
Annemarie and Ellen are
best friends. Even though they pass German soldiers on every street
corner on the way home from school, they are not aware of the danger,
especially the danger to Ellen Rosen, a young Jewish girl. Ellen’s
parents have to escape in the middle of the night leaving Ellen with
Annemarie and her parents. Getting the Rosen family out of Denmark
calls for more bravery than either girl thought she had in her.
Evan though this is a
novel written for young readers, it was a good “short story” for
this adult. In few words Lowry is able to bring her characters and
their situation to life. Do not expect her books to have an ending
without some sadness. She keeps it real and that may be the reason
that she is considered to be controversial.
I love a good title, one
that adds some extra meaning to the story. This is an author who
seems to select the perfect title for her books. NUMBER THE STARS is taken from Psalm 147, reassuring
us that God knows each star in the heavens. Although this was
something that Annemarie could not understand, the reader does. The
tie in with Ellen’s Star of David necklace is important, but also
important is the message that each individual, no matter what his or
her religion, is numbered and valued.
Lois Lowry is an author
that your children should be sharing with you.
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