Plot Summary

 

Number the Stars is told from the point of view of ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen. The story is set in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark in the Fall 1943. This is the third year of the occupation of Denmark by the Nazis. Annemarie and her best friend Ellen Rosen, who is Jewish, are stopped by soldiers on their way home from school. The two classmates also live in the same building are upset by their first contact with the Nazis.

 

Lise was Annemarie sister she died prior to the beginning of the novel.  During a late night visit from Peter Neilsen, a member of the Resistance and the man Lise was to marry, Annemarie is told more about the war. Her parents and Peter explain that Jewish stores are being closed.  The next day, the Rosens, Ellen’s parents, must flee. They leave Ellen with the Johansens. During the night, German soldiers come to the Annemarie’s house demanding that Mr. Johansen disclose the whereabouts of his friends. He refuses and they search their home. Ellen pretends to be one of the Johansen's daughters, but because she has dark hair  it causes the soldier to become suspicious. Luckily, Mr. Johansen  showed them a picture of Lise with dark hair, which convinces the soldiers.

 

The next day, Mrs. Johansen takes the girls to her brother Henrik's home in Gilleleje, Denmark, where Henrik is a fisherman. They spend a peaceful day in the house before Henrik tells them that their Great-Aunt Birte has died and the service are that evening. Annemarie knows that she doesn’t have an Aunt Birte and demands the truth. Uncle Henrik explains that at this time it is more important to be brave. Many people come to the services but all are silent. Soon Peter appears with the Rosens, who are reunited with Ellen. Soldiers, drawn by the post-curfew lights, come to the house. They demand that the coffin be opened. Since the coffin is empty Mrs. Johansen thinks quickly and says that her aunt died of highly contagious typhus and to open the coffin would surely spread germs.  The soldiers become angry with Mrs. Johansen but eventually leave.

 

The funeral was a ruse, inside the coffin were blankets and coats for the people who are trying to flee Denmark to go to Sweden.  Henrik takes the first group of people down to his boat. Mrs. Johansen follows with the Rosens.  When Annmarie’s mother does not appear, she discovers that Mrs. Johansen has broken her ankle. For this reason Annemarie must take an important package to her uncle before they can depart. On the way to the boat, soldiers with dogs stop her. They search her basket and search the package. But when they rip it open it contains only a handkerchief, and they let her go.

That evening, Henrik is finally safe at home having dinner with Annemarie, and Mrs. Johansen, whose ankle has been taken care of by the local doctor. After dinner, Uncle Henrik takes Annemarie to learn how to milk the cow. They talk about the events of the day. He explains that he hid his passengers in the bottom of the boat, and the handkerchief was essential because it kept the Germans' dogs from smelling the human cargo. Uncle Henrik praises Annemarie for her bravery and reassures her that Ellen is safe and they will meet again someday.

 

The war ends that Spring, and Annemarie and her family watch from their balcony as people parade in the streets with the Danish flag. Annemarie thinks of the Rosens and realizes that they, along with all the others who were forced to flee, will soon be coming home. Annemarie's parents tell her that Lise, did not die in an accident, but was killed by the Germans. Thinking of Lise and of Ellen, Annemarie goes to the trunk of Lise's things in her room and takes out the Star of David pendant that she has been keeping for Ellen. She says she will wear the necklace herself until Ellen returns.