图书作者与内容简介

Number the Stars is a novel with a mixture of fictional characters and real life events. The story is set during 1943 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen learns to become a courageous girl in order to protect her friend, Ellen Rosen, from the Nazis. 

Lois Lowry won a Newbery Medal in 1990 for this novel. She states in the afterword that this book is a dedication to her friend Annelise Platt, whom Lowry took inspiration from.

我的观点

The first time I read this book was when I was about Annemarie’s age. There was a topic on World War 2 in the Social Studies textbook, so the teacher thought it would help us understand more about the hardships people were facing at that time by reading a few chapters in this novel. I used to see this book as none other than a simple story that provided some historical knowledge. However, upon reading carefully and with a more mature perspective this time, I instantly saw its significance. Though the plot is fictional, people did, in fact, face the same challenges as the Rosens did. This novel is written to remind us of the people who fought for freedom and those who risked their lives to seek peace. Lise and Peter were members of the Resistance, which I see as a symbolization of hope and bravery. 「He had written a letter to them from prison…It had said simply that he loved them, that he was not afraid, and that he was proud to have done what he could for his country and for the sake of all free people.」 Even upon seeing death so close to him, Peter Neilson showed no regret and remained fearless. Without these freedom fighters providing secret information and protesting endlessly against Nazi dictatorship, it would be long before Denmark seeks its independence.

Growing up is a major theme presented in the story. For the children, coming-of-age played a crucial role in character development. Annemarie went from a conflicted girl to an independent teenager. It was also mentioned that Kristi became less of a chatterbox. The girls learnt important life lessons through the harsh and high-pressured conditions during the German occupation, which resulted in a more dynamic characteristic. It wasn’t only the children that changed, Annemarie’s parents also overcame their misery, and told Annemarie the truth about Lise’s death. The act of revealing Lise and Peter’s identity of being members of the Resistance is a sign of freedom, trust, and walking out of one’s sorrow. Denmark regained freedom after breaking away from the Nazi’s ruling, so keeping secrets was no longer necessary. On the other hand, Annemarie became a mature teenager, so she is able to understand the cause and effect of her sister’s decision. Most importantly, both of her parents had to move on from grief and pain in order to talk about Lise again. Annemarie’s parents felt guilty aside from sorrow upon the news of Lise’s death. They stored her possessions in a big trunk, shutting the memories away so they would not have to be reminded of the eternal loss of their beloved daughter. By comparing the first and last chapter, obvious changes can be seen in every character. Besides age, spiritual growth also marks a meaningful milestone in each character’s life.

 The Star of David is a symbol used to represent the Jewish people. After reading the story, I realized that the word 「Stars」 in the title is referring to the Star of David. My interpretation for the title, Number the Stars, is to recognize the innocent Jewish people who were forced into the harsh and inhumane conditions during the German occupation. Ellen was told to take off her necklace when the German soldiers arrived at the Johansens to investigate. This is because the Jews could not freely present their identity to the public, for they would be sent to concentration camps. 「I never take it off- I can’t even remember how to open it!」 We learn that Ellen keeps the necklace on at all times, which shows her loyalty to her Jewish identity. Sadly, Ellen faces an internal conflict between preserving self-identity and keeping herself away from harm, and she chose the latter one. The Jewish were required to wear a yellow badge in the shape of the Star of David for identification during World War 2. Ironically enough, what was used to represent heroism and pride turned to disgrace and humiliation. Annemarie’s act of wearing the necklace at the end of the story is what I adore most in the story, because it indicates her allegiance and adoration to her friend.