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Quick answer: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry is best for ages 9 to 12. It’s a gentle, suspenseful introduction to the Holocaust, following a Danish girl who helps her Jewish best friend escape the Nazis, with soldiers, danger and the death of an older sister revealed, but no graphic violence.
Quick facts
Recommended age: 9 to 12 (8+ with a parent)
Reading level: Grades 3 to 6
Genre: Historical fiction
Published: 1989; won the 1990 Newbery Medal
Main concerns: Nazi soldiers, peril, a character’s death
Length: About 140 pages
Number the Stars is often a child’s first introduction to the Holocaust, and it’s a gentle, brave and suspenseful one. It won the Newbery Medal and is taught in many elementary and middle schools. It shows real danger but focuses on courage and kindness. This guide explains what’s in it and how to talk with your child about the history.
Table of Contents
What Is Number the Stars About?
In 1943, ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen lives in Copenhagen, Denmark, under Nazi occupation. Her best friend, Ellen Rosen, is Jewish. When the Nazis begin rounding up Denmark’s Jews, the Johansens take Ellen in and pretend she’s their daughter.
The family helps smuggle Ellen and her parents to safety in Sweden. Annemarie must find her own courage when she carries a mysterious package through the woods past German soldiers. The story is based on the real rescue of most of Denmark’s Jews in 1943.
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Content Guide for Parents
| Content | Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Peril | Moderate | Nazi soldiers search homes, threaten the family and confront Annemarie in the woods. |
| Death | Mild to moderate | Annemarie’s older sister, Lise, was killed by the Nazis for being part of the resistance; this is revealed gently. |
| Violence | Mild | Soldiers carry guns and threaten people, but there’s no graphic violence. |
| Holocaust themes | Present | The persecution of Jews is shown without graphic detail. |
| Language and romance | None | No swearing or romance. |
| Positive messages | Very strong | Courage, friendship, kindness and standing up for others. |
Age-by-Age Breakdown
| Age | Is Number the Stars a Good Fit? |
|---|---|
| 6 to 7 | Better as a read-aloud with a parent. |
| 8 to 9 | A good fit for many readers, with a parent to discuss it. |
| 10 to 12 | The sweet spot; it’s widely taught in grades 4 to 6. |
| 13 and up | Still moving, and a bridge to The Diary of a Young Girl. |
How to Talk About the History
Number the Stars is gentle, but it’s still about the Holocaust. Before or after reading, explain simply that the Nazis persecuted and killed millions of Jewish people, and that the Danish people helped save most of Denmark’s Jews by smuggling them to Sweden.
Lois Lowry’s afterword explains which parts are true, and it’s worth reading together.
Is Number the Stars Okay for a 7- or 8-Year-Old?
Many families read it aloud with 7- and 8-year-olds. It’s short and gentle, and the danger is suspenseful rather than graphic. Some children may need help understanding why the Nazis were dangerous.
Most kids read it on their own between 9 and 11.
What Parents Should Know
- It’s a gentle introduction. It doesn’t show concentration camps.
- It’s based on real events. The Danish rescue really happened.
- It’s short. About 140 pages.
- The afterword matters. It explains the real history.
- It leads to bigger books. The Diary of a Young Girl is a natural next step.
How to Tell If Your Child Is Ready for Number the Stars
- Read the first chapter yourself. Ten minutes with the opening pages tells you a lot about the tone of Number the Stars.
- Think about what upsets your child. Every child is different, so match the content table above to your own child rather than to their age alone.
- Ask what they already know. Kids often hear about popular books from friends, so ask what they expect and why they want to read it.
- Offer to read it together. Reading at the same time, or aloud, makes it easy to pause and talk about hard scenes.
- Keep the door open. Tell your child they can stop at any time and come to you with questions.
A Simple Plan for Reading Number the Stars Together
- Before reading: look at the cover and blurb together and ask what your child expects from Number the Stars.
- While reading: check in every few chapters with one open question, such as “What surprised you?”
- After a hard scene: ask how it made them feel rather than what it means.
- After finishing: talk about the ending, then let your child choose what to read next from the suggestions below.
Questions to Talk About With Your Child
- What does it mean to be brave?
- Why do the Johansens risk their lives for the Rosens?
- How does Annemarie show courage in the woods?
- What did the Danish people do that was so special?
- What would you do to help a friend in danger?
If Your Child Isn’t Ready Yet: Similar Books to Try
These picks introduce World War II and the Holocaust gently, plus a classic for older readers.
Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust by Loïc Dauvillier: ages 8 and up. A grandmother tells her granddaughter how she hid as a child in France. It’s a gentle graphic novel.
Check price of Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust on Amazon
Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop: ages 8 and up. Twenty French children hide ten Jewish children from the Nazis. It’s short and brave.
Check price of Twenty and Ten on Amazon
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank: ages 12 and up. Anne Frank’s real diary from hiding in Amsterdam is essential reading.
Check price of The Diary of a Young Girl on Amazon
Related: what age The Book Thief is appropriate for and best books on the Holocaust.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Number the Stars appropriate for?
Number the Stars is best for ages 9 to 12 and is often taught in grades 4 to 6.
Is Number the Stars sad?
It has sad and tense moments, including the death of Annemarie’s sister, but it’s ultimately hopeful.
Is Number the Stars a true story?
It’s fiction based on the real rescue of most of Denmark’s Jews in 1943.
Does Number the Stars show concentration camps?
No. It focuses on the rescue in Denmark and doesn’t show the camps.
What should kids read after Number the Stars?
The Diary of a Young Girl, The War That Saved My Life and The Book Thief for older readers are good next steps.