Number the Stars Comprehension Questions & Reading Journal
4.1 out of 5, (107 ratings on Open Library)
Number the Stars has 17 chapters · 147 pages
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend, Ellen Rosen, often think about life before the war. But it's now 1943, and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching in their town.
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Inside the journal: 17 chapter pages, one question each · 3 example answers · a cover for your reader’s name
Chapter by chapter Each question is about its own chapter.
How do Annemarie, Ellen, and Kirsti react when the soldiers stop them on the street? What do their reactions show about each girl?See all 17 questions ↓
About the book
Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend, Ellen Rosen, often think about life before the war. But it's now 1943, and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching in their town. The Nazis won't stop. The Jews of Denmark are being "relocated," so Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be part of the family. Then Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission. Somehow she must find the strength and courage to save her best friend's life.
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Number the Stars questions by chapter
We know this book well. Every question asks about something that happens in its chapter, a moment, a choice or a character, without giving away what comes next. One question per chapter, across all 17 chapters, and every one is editable before you print. The example answers under 3 of the chapters are the ones printed at the front of the booklet.
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Chapter 1
How do Annemarie, Ellen, and Kirsti react when the soldiers stop them on the street? What do their reactions show about each girl?
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Chapter 2
Annemarie thinks about King Christian X and the story of the bodyguard. What does this chapter help you understand about how the Danish people feel about their king and their country?
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Chapter 3
Mrs. Hirsch's button shop is suddenly closed. What clues show that something serious has happened, and how do the adults try to protect the children?
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Chapter 4
Why do the Rosens need Ellen to stay with Annemarie's family? How does the mood of the chapter change from the beginning to the end?
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Chapter 5
When the soldiers come to the Johansens' apartment at night, how do Annemarie and her parents help protect Ellen? Which action do you think is the bravest?
Example answer: I think Annemarie and her parents protect Ellen by pretending she is part of their family. Annemarie yanks off Ellen's Star of David necklace so the soldiers will not see it. Papa also uses the baby pictures to make the soldiers believe Ellen is Lise. I think Annemarie's action is the bravest because she has to think quickly even though she is terrified.
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Chapter 6
Papa speaks in code on the telephone to Uncle Henrik. What do you think some of the code words mean, and why is it important that he does not say the real message?
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Chapter 7
How is Uncle Henrik's house by the sea different from Copenhagen? How might this setting help Annemarie, Ellen, and the others feel both safer and more worried?
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Chapter 8
The adults say there has been a death, but Annemarie has never heard of Great-aunt Birte. What do you predict is really happening, and what details support your prediction?
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Chapter 9
Uncle Henrik tells Annemarie it is easier to be brave if you do not know everything. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
Example answer: I partly agree with Uncle Henrik because knowing every danger might make a person too scared to act. Annemarie can help more when she only knows what she needs to know. However, I also think it can be hard when adults keep secrets, because Annemarie feels confused and worried. In this chapter, I think Uncle Henrik is trying to protect her and help her be brave.
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Chapter 10
During the fake funeral, the soldiers demand that the casket be opened. How do Mama and Peter handle this dangerous moment, and what does it show about them?
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Chapter 11
The word 'contempt' means a feeling that someone or something is not worthy of respect. How does Peter show contempt for the soldiers, and why might that be risky?
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Chapter 12
Mama has not returned from taking the Rosens to the boat. What do Annemarie and the reader learn when Annemarie looks outside, and how does this create suspense?
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Chapter 13
Annemarie must take the important packet to Uncle Henrik. What challenges does she face, and how does she begin to act more like a grown-up?
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Chapter 14
As Annemarie walks through the woods, she remembers the story of Little Red Riding Hood. How does that fairy tale connect to what is happening to her?
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Chapter 15
The soldiers and their dogs stop Annemarie on the path. How does Annemarie use Kirsti's behavior as a model, and why does acting like a silly little girl help her?
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Chapter 16
Uncle Henrik explains the secret plan and the special handkerchief. How does this new information change your understanding of earlier events in the story?
Example answer: This information helps me understand why the packet was so important. Before, I knew Annemarie had to deliver it, but I did not know it could keep the people hidden from the dogs. Now the trip through the woods seems even more dangerous and important. It also shows that many people worked together in a clever way to save the Rosens and the other Jewish families.
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Chapter 17
At the end of the book, Annemarie learns more about Lise, Peter, and the Resistance. What message do you think the author wants readers to remember about courage and friendship?
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How to use this Number the Stars reading journal
At home, as a discussion guide
After each chapter your reader writes a few lines on that chapter’s question. Read the answer together at bedtime: it shows what they understood and gives you something real to talk about, without a quiz.
In class, as a novel study
Print a class set (booklets fold from plain letter paper) and use one question per chapter as the reading-response or literature-circle prompt. The example answers at the front show what a full answer looks like.
Homeschool
One booklet covers the whole book, 17 chapters, so it doubles as the reading log for Number the Stars. Reword any question before printing to match your reader.
Printing
The booklet PDF prints on ordinary 8.5 × 11 paper: print double-sided (flip on the short edge) at 100%, fold the stack in half and staple on the fold. There is also a one-page-per-sheet PDF and A5 binder pages.
Where the questions come from
Each question is about its own chapter. We know this book well. Every question asks about something that happens in its chapter, a moment, a choice or a character, without giving away what comes next. The questions were drafted with AI from what is known about the book and checked before publishing; every one is editable before you print.
Browse: All books by Lois Lowry