Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Number the Stars. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Annemarie Johansen helps her Jewish friend Ellen Rosen escape Nazi-occupied Denmark to Sweden by delivering a handkerchief that stops the soldiers' dogs from sniffing out the hidden Jews. After the war, Annemarie learns that her sister Lise died working for the Resistance, and she keeps Ellen's necklace safe until Ellen can return.
Quick facts
– Book: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
– First published: 1989
– Type: A middle-grade historical novel
– Tone of the ending: Hopeful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
In 1943 Copenhagen, ten-year-old Annemarie and her best friend Ellen live under German occupation. When the Nazis start rounding up Jews, the Johansens hide Ellen and pretend she is their daughter. They take her to Uncle Henrik's fishing village by the sea.
What Happens at the End of Number the Stars
The Rosens hide with others until Uncle Henrik can take them by boat to Sweden. Annemarie's mother breaks her ankle, so Annemarie must run alone through the woods with a basket containing a special handkerchief. She meets soldiers but fools them. The handkerchief contains a chemical that ruins the dogs' sense of smell, allowing the Rosens to escape. After the war, Annemarie learns Lise was killed by the Nazis and promises to keep Ellen's necklace safe.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Annemarie's courage saves the Rosens.
- The handkerchief is a real wartime trick.
- Lise's death is revealed.
- The necklace symbolizes hope.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Annemarie Johansen | Helps the Rosens escape |
| Ellen Rosen | Escapes to Sweden |
| Uncle Henrik | Ferries the Rosens |
| Lise Johansen | Died working for the Resistance |
| Peter Neilsen | Resistance fighter, later executed |
What the Ending Means
The ending celebrates courage and kindness in a dangerous time.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers focus on Annemarie's growth, while others highlight the real history of Denmark's rescue of Jews.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Courage. Annemarie acts despite fear.
Friendship. Annemarie protects Ellen.
Resistance. Ordinary people resist the Nazis.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Number the Stars as hopeful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Lois Lowry to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are hopeful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Lois Lowry closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Number the Stars with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about courage, and do you agree with Lois Lowry's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as hopeful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces courage and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Lois Lowry leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Number the Stars often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Number the Stars earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Number the Stars on Amazon
Books to Read After Number the Stars
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Related: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Number the Stars for Kids You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Number the Stars?
Annemarie Johansen helps her Jewish friend Ellen Rosen escape Nazi-occupied Denmark to Sweden by delivering a handkerchief that stops the soldiers' dogs from sniffing out the hidden Jews. After the war, Annemarie learns that her sister Lise died working for the Resistance, and she keeps Ellen's necklace safe until Ellen can return.
Is the ending of Number the Stars happy or sad?
Most readers call it hopeful.
What does the ending of Number the Stars mean?
The ending celebrates courage and kindness in a dangerous time.
Who wrote Number the Stars and when was it published?
Number the Stars was written by Lois Lowry and first published in 1989.
Is Number the Stars worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy middle-grade historical novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Lois Lowry prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Number the Stars before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.