Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

The book ‘Number the Stars’ by Lois Lowry is about a Danish girl named Annemarie Johansen helping her Jewish friend Ellen Rosen escape from the Nazis to freedom during the World War II. I feel sad and happy after reading this book. I feel sad because of a man named Peter sacrificed his life in the book. I also feel happy because the war ended at last and Annemarie’s transformation from a naïve girl to a mature young lady. What I learned from the story is the people’s compassion and kindness to help others overcome the challenge is stronger than the evil power of Nazi.

After reading this book, I feel sad and happy at the same time. One of the reasons I feel sad is because of Peter’s death. Peter was part of the Resistant force also with Lise. Everyone thanked Peter for helping them. Unfortunately the Germans found him and executed him. The letter he wrote before he died has touched me. He said he wasn’t afraid to die because he is proud about what he had done for the country. Peter is very strong and brave. He wished to be buried with Lise. But the Germans wouldn’t return the body they killed. Another reason that I feel sad is because the world is too cruel. I think the war is unnecessary. Many innocent people were executed by the Nazis. Many Jews was forced to be separated with their family and friends. They also faced food shortage. The foods were stolen to feed the German soldiers. I think Denmark is very innocent and faced this kind of attack to the country. They lost everything but not love from families and friends. I feel very sad for Denmark.

I also feel happy after reading this book because the war ended at last. Everyone felt happy and relieved. The war ended so they can return to their normal lives. They are not living in constant fear anymore. I also feel happy after reading this book because Annemarie has grown a lot out of all these experiences. She changed from a naïve and inexperienced girl to a mature, responsible and clever girl. For example she knows exactly what to do when she sees the soldier in chapter 15. She pretended to be an empty headed silly girl so the soldiers wouldn’t be too suspicious. I also learned a lot too. For example when Uncle Henrik tells Annemarie that it is easier to be brave when you don’t know everything and Annemarie agreed with him because it happens in the story such as Kirsti being brave because she didn’t know how dangerous things were. I agree with Uncle Henrik also because I have a similar experience. My experience is that I wasn’t afraid of anything when I was younger. I wasn’t afraid of ghosts or anything because I thought it was nonsense. But as soon as I grow older and watched more horror movies and reality news of death, I was no longer brave.

What I learned from the book is the people’s compassion and kindness to help others to overcome challenges was stronger than the evil power of Nazi. Everyone including Annemarie’s family and Peter helped the Jews to escape from the Germans. They even helped people they didn’t know. Their determination to help the Jews at all cost was very admirable. And that was something the Germans couldn’t destroy.