Characters
Who is Annemarie Johansen's best friend?
Who is Ellen Rosen?
Whom does Ellen pretend to be when the soldiers come to the Johansen's house in the middle of the night? Why?
Ellen pretends to be Lise Johansen, Annemarie's older sister who has died. Ellen did this because she did not want the Germans to know she was Jewish and arrest her.
Where and when does Number the Stars take place?
Number the Stars takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark during World War II around the year 1943.
Why did the Danish government destroy their own ships?
What are Kirsti's new shoes made out of?
Kirsti's new shoes are made out of green fish skin and scales.
Who was given green shoes made out of fish scales?
Who is Kirsti?
What were the fireworks Kirsti thinks she heard on her birthday?
The "fireworks" were actually the Danish government blowing up their own naval fleet.
Where does Annemarie stand at the edge of the water and see Sweden across the ocean?
Annemarie can stand at the edge of the water at Uncle Henrik's house and just barely see Sweden.
What did the Danish Jews have to wear on their clothes?
They had to wear the Star of David on their clothes to label them as Jewish.
What was a code name for Jewish escapees?
The code name for Jewish escapees is cigarettes.
What holiday were the Rosens planning to celebrate the night the German soldiers planned to relocate them?
The Rosens were planning to celebrate the Jewish New Year.
What do Ellen and Annemarie hide from the soldiers just before they come into the girls bedroom? Why?
Ellen and Annemarie hide Ellen's Star of David necklace because it is proof that Ellen is Jewish.
Which country had not been taken over by the Nazi's and was a refuge for Danish Jews?
Sweden was a free country and helped rescue Danish Jews during the Nazi occupation of Denmark.
How long did it take Germany to take over Denmark?
It only took the Nazis 6 hours to take over the Danish government.
Interpret this quote:
"Is the weather good for fishing?"
This quote means:
"Is is a good time to help Jewish refugees escape?"
Who used to ride his horse through the streets of Copenhagen without bodyguards?
King Christian X used to ride his horse through the streets.
How did the Rosen's find out that the Nazis had their names and where they lived?
The Rosen's information was on a list at their synagogue and their Rabbi told them the Germans took the list and were planning to arrest them.
What is Tivoli Gardens and why is it important to the Danish people?
Tivoli Gardens was a place where the Danish people could watch fireworks, dance, ride the carousel, and have fun. Tivoli Gardens symbolizes life before the Nazi occupation, when the "fun-loving Danes" were more lighthearted.
Annemarie, Ellen, and the rest of the characters in Number the Stars are fictional. The history surrounding them is completely real.
Who said this quote and why?
"Once I had three daughters. Tonight I am proud to have three daughters again."
Papa says this to Annemarie and Ellen because the Johansens have taken Ellen into their home to hide and protect her from the Nazi soldiers. The family will pretend that Ellen is Annemarie's older sister, Lise, who has passed away.
How does Mr. Johansen prove Ellen is his daughter to the soldiers? Be specific in your response!
Papa proves Ellen is his daughter by showing the soldiers pictures of the three girls when they were babies. He shows Lise's photo to prove Ellen is his daughter because she had dark hair as a baby.
Why aren't the children sent to school the day after the Germans come looking for the Rosens?
Papa says it is too dangerous for the girls to go to school because the soldiers may come looking for the Jewish children at school and take them away.
Where do Mr. and Mrs. Rosen go the night the Germans come to the Johansens apartment looking for them and Ellen?
Papa does not tell Ellen or Annemarie where Mr. and Mrs. Rosen go, but only says that they are safe.
What does the Star of David mean to the Jewish people?
The Star of David is a religious symbol that represents the Jewish faith, in the same manner that the cross represents the Christian faith.
What part of the story is this quote from and why is it important?
"She looked down and saw that she had imprinted the Star of David into her palm."
When soldiers enter their home in the night looking for the Rosens, Annemarie rips the Star of David necklace off of Ellen to protect her identity from the soldiers. She clenches it so tightly in her hand that it leaves an imprint on her hand. This is important because Annemarie's actions symbolize her strong devotion to her friendship and her stance against the Nazi's.