“Number the Stars”? I know. I thought the same thing. Why would I do a book review on something that I read in sixth grade? Because, when I asked members of The Vision if they had read the book, I was shocked that no one had read or even heard of the classic book that has received a John Newbery Medal, so I decided I must read it again and write a book review.  

Written by Lois Lowry, the book is a fictional work set in Copenhagen, Denmark, about the Holocaust. Centered on two best friends, Annemarie Johansen and Ellen Rosen, who “become” sisters, it tells a story of bravery and ignorance. The Johansen and Rosen families  live in the same apartment building, are good friends and spend lots of time together. The two families’ bond is tested when the Johansens put their lives on the line to rescue their Jewish friends from the encroaching Nazi regiment.

I feel that everyone needs to read this book because of the message. The quality of the book is present in the moral of the story. The title “Number the Stars” is referenced throughout the book. The “stars” are the oppressed Jewish people who are being rounded up and arrested, but there is no way to “number” all of them, especially since they are escaping Denmark by the thousands. Themes of bravery and ignorance are tied together in the book where each character must be ignorant toward the situation they are facing so that they can be brave when the time comes.

I do not want to tell you all of the story, but, if you want a quick read about the Holocaust, this is your book. If you want a story about bravery and courage, this is your book. I think this a perfect MSMS book for those of us who do not have a lot of time to read.