1. Number the Stars
Chapter 10 – 17

2. Chapter 10 – Let Us Open the Casket
VOCABULARY
staccato (p.83) – rapid sounds that are not together
condescending (p.84) - to act in a way that suggests that one considers oneself better than other people
typhus (p.85) – disease

3. Chapter 10 Questions
Why did the German soldiers come to Uncle Henrik’s house?
The German soldiers came to Uncle Henrik’s house, because they saw an unusual amount of people at the house.
What was the first test of Annemarie’s bravery?
Annemarie’s first test of bravery was lying to the soldiers about who the funeral was for.
How did Mrs. Johansen stop the German soldiers from looking in the casket?
Mrs. Johansen stopped the German soldiers from looking in the casket by telling them that Aunt Birte had typhus and that it was still contagious.

4. Chapter 11 – Will We See You Again Soon, Peter?
VOCABULARY
encased (p.89) - to close in 
Godspeed (p.93) - a wish for success given to a person on parting
commotion (p.93) - noisy excitement and confusion

5. Chapter 11 Questions What was in the casket, and why was it there?
There were blankets and coats in the casket. Those items were there to give the people warmth, because it was a cold journey ahead.
What did Peter give the baby and why?
Peter gave the baby medicine so that the baby would not make any noise during the journey and alert the soldiers to their presence.
What was the purpose of Aunt Birte’s funeral?
The purpose of Aunt Birte’s funeral was to give the Jewish people a reason to be at the house together, hide the supplies, and pass out the supplies.

6. Chapter 12 – Where was Mama?
VOCABULARY
gnarled (p.97) - a large or hard knot in wood or on a tree
gleam (98) - a small briefly visible light
dimness (p.99) - not bright or clear

7. Chapter 12 Questions What promise did Ellen make to Annemarie?
Ellen promised Annemarie that she would come back.
Explain the following thoughts of Annemarie, “It was harder for the ones who were waiting, Annemarie knew. Less dangerous, perhaps, but more fear.”
Annemarie and her father do not know what is happening as Mama takes the Rosen’s to Uncle Henrik’s boat. Annemarie and Papa won’t know if Mama is okay, until she comes back. It is harder to sit and wait, because you do not know if the person is okay.

8. Chapter 13 – Run as Fast as You Can
VOCABULARY
sprawling (p.102) - to lie or sit with arms and legs spread out
vast (p.103) - very great in extent, size, amount, degree, or intensity
stricken (p.104) - troubled with disease, misfortune, or sorrow

9. What happened to Mrs. Johansen on her way back from Uncle Henrik’s boat?
Mrs. Johansen tripped and fell over the root of a tree breaking her ankle as she returned from Uncle Henrik’s boat.
What had Mr. Rosen dropped at Uncle Henrik’s house?
At Uncle Henrik’s house Mr. Rosen had dropped the packet that Peter gave him.
Why did Mrs. Johansen tell Annemarie to act like a silly little girl if she were stopped?
Mrs. Johansen told Annemarie to act like a silly girl if she were stopped so that the German soldiers wouldn’t be suspicious.
What do you think Mrs. Johansen meant when she said that “it may all have been for nothing” when she spotted the parcel?
When Mrs. Johansen said “it may all have been for nothing” she meant that without the packet that Mr. Rosen dropped the Jews may not be able to escape to safety.
Why do you think Mrs. Johansen didn’t tell Annemarie what she was really carrying to Uncle Henrik on the boat?
Mrs. Johansen didn’t tell Annemarie what she was really carrying to Uncle Henrik on the boat because it is easier to be brave when you do not know everything. It will be easier for Annemarie to answer questions if she doesn’t know what is in the packet.
Chapter 13 - Questions

10. Chapter 14 – On the Dark Path
VOCABULARY
donned (p.106) – to put on
latticed (p.106) - a framework or structure of crossed wood or metal strips
Criss-crossed pattern
brusque (p.110) - short and frank in manner or speech as to be impolite
Not a very warm cuddly personality
taut (p.112) - drawn to the limit : not slack
Stretched tight

11. Chapter 14 Questions
What fairy tale did Annemarie remember on the trail to Uncle Henrik’s boat? Why did Annemarie choose this fairy tale?
The fairy tale Annemarie remembered on the trail to Uncle Henrik’s boat was “Little Red Riding Hood.” She chose to remember this fairy tale because there were similarities between that story and what was happening to her. It also helped not be scared when she told herself the story.
Describe what happened to Annemarie on the way to the boat.
On the way to the boat Annemarie told herself the story of “Little Red Riding Hood.” She also thought of memories that went along with the different places along the path. As she came to the harbor Annemarie saw four German soldiers with dogs.

12. Chapter 15 – My Dog Smells Meat
VOCABULARY
willed (p.113)  
having a will especially of a certain kind
insolently (p.117)
disrespectful or rude in speech or conduct
showing boldness or rudeness
caustic (p.118)
likely to offend or hurt someone's feelings
capable of eating away by chemical action

13. Chapter 15 Questions
What was in the basket that helped fool the Germans into thinking it was Uncle Henrik’s lunch?
In the basket there was bread, cheese, and a napkin, and that fooled the German’s into thinking it was Uncle Henrik’s lunch.
Why did Annemarie behave like Kirsti when she was stopped by the German soldiers?
Annemarie behaved like Kirsti when she was stopped by the German soldiers so that they would believe that she was not hiding anything.
Why was it good that Annemarie did not know what was in the packet?
It was good that Annemarie did not know what was in the packet, because she was able to easily answer with the truth about the packet – that she did not know what was in the packet.

14. Chapter 16 – I Will Tell You Just a Little
VOCABULARY
warily (p.120)
Very cautious
concealed (p.124)
To hide from sight

15. Chapter 16 Questions
What did Annemarie learn about Peter from Uncle Henrik? What were the two clues that should have clued Annemarie in about Peter?
Uncle Henrik told Annemarie that Peter was part of the Resistance. Annemarie should have known that Peter was in the Resistance because he was always on the move, and he brought them the Free Danes Newspaper.
What was Uncle Henrik’s explanation for each of the following: Annemarie not seeing the Rosen’s in the boat, the use of a drug on the baby, and the handkerchief?
Annemarie didn’t see the Rosen’s on the boat, because they were in a hidden compartment of the boat.
Uncle Henrik said that the baby was drugged so that she would not wake up, cry, and make noises during the long trip.
Uncle Henrik explained that there was a special chemical on the handkerchief that killed the dogs’ sense of smell.

16. Chapter 17 – All This Long Time
VOCABULARY
raided (p.130)
a sudden attack or invasion
rejoicing (p.132)
To give joy
To feel great joy or great delight

17. Chapter 17 Questions Why was everyone celebrating in Denmark?
Everyone in Denmark was celebrating because the war had ended. Germany was no longer occupying Denmark.
What happened to Peter?
Peter was captured and executed by the German forces for being a member of the Resistance.
What did Annemarie learn about Lise?
Annemarie learned that Lise was a member of the Resistance, and she had been killed by a military transport that ran her down while she was leaving a Resistance meeting.
What does Annemarie wearing Ellen’s necklace show?
Annemarie wearing Ellen’s Star of David necklace shows us that Denmark is now free.
Kim Malthe-Bruun was a member of the Danish Resistance and the model for Peter Neilsen in Number The Stars. Kim joined the resistance movement in 1944 at 21 years old. He used his skills as a sailor to transport arms. On December 19, 1944, Kim was captured by Nazi soldiers. He was put to death on April 6, three months shy of his 23rd birthday and only a few weeks before the Nazi surrender and the end of World War II.
Link to more information about how Lois Lowry came across Kim Malthe-Bruun and links to the letters he wrote to his girlfriend before he was executed.