Number the Stars

"Number the Stars" is a book narrated by Annemarie Johansen. Annemarie Johansen is a ten year old girl living in Copenhagen during World War 2.  Her best friend, Ellen Rosen is a Jew. Ellen and her family, as well as all the Jews at that time, were about to be deported by the Nazis. One night, Ellen's mother and father disappear, but Ellen stays with Annemarie. The next day, German soldiers show up at Annemarie's house to question her family regarding the Rosen's disappearance. Annemarie's parents deny knowing where they've gone, and the soldiers eye Ellen, who is dark haired, unlike the rest of the Johansens. Annemarie's father shows the soldiers a baby picture of Annemarie's older sister Lisa, who had died recently. In the picture, Lise is as dark haired as Ellen. After they exam the picture the soldiers leave, and Ellen is safe.
The next day, the Johansen's and Ellen, go to Uncle Hendrick's home.  Once there Ellen is reunited with her family. Soon they are smuggled out of Denmark along with many others.
At the end of the war, Annemarie finds the Star of David necklace which Ellen has left in Annemarie's safe keeping. Annemarie puts it on, vowing to wear it until Ellen and her family come back home.
Lois Lowry wrote this book. With each page she gives you a mental picture of what it must have been like to live through a terrifying chapter of world history. In each chapter, you see both the best and worst of humanity, from the soldiers who turn their guns on little children, to those who risked their lives for strangers.
Although this book is told from a girl's point of view, it is a good book for both boys and girls. There are plenty of heroic men as well as women in the story. Children of adults of both sexes will enjoy it.
Because of the efforts of the Danish Resistance, out of the country's 8000 Jews, only 450 were deported. Of those 450, only a total of 51 died because the Danes convinced the Nazi's to keep their countrymen in a camp nearby where their condition was closely monitored.
Because of the efforts of nearly an entire country, most Jewish Danes were able to return to their homes after the war, to reunite with loved ones.
"Number the Stars" is a fictional book, but is a fictional book based on facts.  If your children enjoy history, this might be a book for them.