The evacuation of Jews from Nazi-held Denmark is one of the great untold stories of World War II. On September 29, 1943, word got out in Denmark that Jews were to be detained and then sent to the death camps. Within hours the Danish resistance, population and police arranged a small flotilla to herd 7,000 Jews to Sweden. Lois Lowry fictionalizes a true-story account to bring this courageous tale to life. She brings the experience to life through the eyes of 10-year-old Annemarie Johannesen, whose family harbors her best friend, Ellen Rosen, on the eve of the round-up and helps smuggles Ellen's family out of the country. Number the Stars won the 1990 Newbery Medal.


From Publishers Weekly
Set in Nazi-occupied Denmark in 1943, this 1990 Newbery winner tells of a 10-year-old girl who undertakes a dangerous mission to save her best friend. Ages 10-14. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Grade 3-7. The gripping story of a ten-year-old Danish girl and her family's courageous efforts to smuggle Jews out of their Nazi-occupied homeland to safety in Sweden. Readers are taken to the very heart of Annemarie's experience, and, through her eyes, come to understand the true meaning of bravery. Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johannesen becomes involved in the evacuation of Jews from Denmark when her family hides her friend, Ellen Rosen, and then aids in her escape. Annemarie learns about the meaning of bravery and the necessity of being protected by lies from loved ones in a time of life-threatening secrets. With vocal versatility, Blair Brown portrays the soft-spoken Johannesens, as well as the loud, brutal Nazis. When important conversations take place, she lowers her voice to cue listeners to pay closer attention. The combination of Brown's steady voice and Lowry's dramatic story creates a mesmerizing production. J.F.M. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


Review
"The whole work is seamless, compelling, and memorable -- impossible to put down; difficult to forget."

ANNOTATION

In 1943, during the German occupation of Denmark, ten-year-old Annemarie learns how to be brave and courageous when she helps shelter her Jewish friend from the Nazis.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This Newbery Medal Book describes how a ten-year-old Danish girl's bravery is tested when her best friend is threatened by Nazis in 1943.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Set in Nazi-occupied Denmark in 1943, this 1990 Newbery winner tells of a 10-year-old girl who undertakes a dangerous mission to save her best friend. Ages 10-14. (Sept.)

"The whole work is seamless, compelling, and memorable -- impossible to put down; difficult to forget."

Children's Literature - Susie Wilde

This Newbery-award winning book is the story of a ten-year-old Danish girl who courageously helps to save the family of her Jewish friend. Lowry was inspired by the letter of a young Dane, who, on the eve of his execution, reminded young and old to remember and from that remembering "to create an ideal of human decency."

School Library Journal

Gr 3-7The gripping story of a ten-year-old Danish girl and her family's courageous efforts to smuggle Jews out of their Nazi-occupied homeland to safety in Sweden. Readers are taken to the very heart of Annemarie's experience, and, through her eyes, come to understand the true meaning of bravery. (Mar. 1989)

AudioFile