Number The Stars Chapter Questions

Number The Stars Chapter Questions

Chapter 1:

1. Name the two main characters.

Ans:The two main characters are Ellen, and Annemarie.

2. Give the physical description of each girl.

Ans: Annemarie is a 10 year old not Jewish girl. Ellen is Annemarie’s best friend and Ellen is Jewish.

3. Why were Annemarie, Ellen, and Kirsti stopped by the soldiers?

Ans: Annemarie, Ellen and Kirsti were stopped by the soldiers because they were running.

4. What advice did Mrs. Rosen give the girls about behaving outside?

Ans: Mrs.Rosen’s advice was to go separate ways to school tomorrow.

5. How did Annemarie show her dislike of the German soldiers occupying her country?

Ans: Annemarie shows her dislike of the German soldiers by making fun of them and calling them names.

6. Why isn’t Kirsti afraid of the soldiers?

Ans: Kirst isn’t afraid of the soldiers because it was always been there and it feels that it was always the same.

7. Why do you think the “Free Danes” newspaper was important in Denmark during the war years?

Ans: The Free Danes newspaper was important in Denmark during the war years because it was a secret way of talking to each other without the Nazis knowing about it.

Chapter 2:

1. What happened to Annemarie’s sister, Lise?

Ans: Annemarie’s sister Lise died in a car accident.

2. Why does Peter visit the Johansen’s?

Ans: Peter visits the Johansen’s because Lise and Peter was about to have a marriage in to weeks before Lise died.

3. What are some hardships faced by the Danish people because of the war?

Ans: Some hardships Danish people would face were that they had a big enemy and not many soldiers.

4. How was King Christian different than other kings?

Ans: King Christian X is different from other kinds of kings because he is kind, smart, serious, and cares about his people.

5. Why didn’t the Danish army fight the Germans when they invaded Denmark?

Ans: The Danish army didn’t fight when the Germans invaded because king Christian X was smart and he knew that we would fight hard, but in the end, they would end the same way Norway did.

Chapter 3: Number the Stars

1. What did Annemarie realize about her friend Ellen after Peter’s visit?

Ans: Annemarie realized that her friend Ellen was Jewish, but Ellen’s father’s job is saved as Germans would not close the whole school.

2. How did Annemarie know the Hirsch’s were not gone on a holiday?

Ans: Annemarie knew that the Hirsch’s were not gone on a holiday because none of Copenhagen had taken a vacation since the war began.

3. What items were being rationed? Why?

Ans: Electricity was being rationed because there was no fuel for the homes and apartments.

4. What happened to Mrs. Hirsch?

Ans: Mrs. Hirsch was a Jew, so her shop was closed down, because Nazis wanted to torment the Jews.

5. Why did the girls always take a different route to school?

Ans: The girls took different routes to school to avoid being caught again and so the soldiers won’t remember their faces.

6. Explain what is meant by the line “Friends will take care of them”. (Pg. 22 of the green/purple book and pg. 24 of the black book).

Ans: This line was spoken by Annemarie’s mother when she was concerned about Hirsch’s. It meant that friends will help take care of them and give them food, herbs etc. until their shop is open again.

7. Explain the following sentence from p. 23 (green/purple book) or p. 25 (black book) of the novel: “All of Denmark must be bodyguards for the Jews….” Annemarie said

Ans: The Nazis was threatening the Jews by closing their shops and even killing them, but the Nazis did not threaten the non Jews. So Annemarie was trying to explain that the non Jews need tohelp the Jews and keep them safe.

Chapter 4: Number the Stars

1. What were the “fireworks” Kirsti remembered?

Ans: The fireworks she remembered were from her birthday.

2. How did the Germans find out the names of Danish Jews?

Ans. The Nazis go to the synagogue on important Jewish holidays and they demand a list of all Danish Jews.

3. Why was Kirsti upset when she and her mother returned from shopping? What was Ellen’s solution to the problem?

Ans: Kristi was upset that her skin was made out of fish skin. Ellen’s solution was to dip it in ink.

4. Why was the Tivoli Gardens important to the Danes of Copenhagen?

Ans: The Tivoli Gardens are important to the Danes of Copenhagen because there, families could gather and enjoy life.

5. Why would Annemarie and Ellen need to pretend that they are sisters?

Ans: She has to pretend to be Annemarie's sister in order to avoid detection by the Germans, who would take her away.

Chapter 5: Number the Stars

1. What was Annemarie told about the death of her older sister Lise?

Ans: Annmarie was told that her older sister Lise, died in a car crash.

2. Why did the German soldiers come to the Johansen’s apartment looking for the Rosen’s?

Ans: They knew that the Johansens were good friends of the Rosens.

3. How did the German soldiers show a lack of respect for the Johansens?

Ans: They came into the house and ripped the baby pictures of Lise in half as will as being loud and waking up the girls.

4. Why was it important that Ellen remove her Star of David necklace?

Ans: It was important that Ellen remove her Star of David necklace because if she didn’t, they would know she was Jewish.

5. Why had Mr. and Mrs. Johansen not looked at Lise’s things since the accident?

Ans: Mr. and Mrs. Johansen not looked at Lise’s things since the accident because those things would remind them about Lise’s death, and thy wanted to forget that happened.

6. “The whole world was crying”. What is this line a metaphor for?

Ans: It was a very sad day for the Johansens, and it was raining.

7. What was the purpose in the soldier’s visit?

Ans: The purpose in the soldier’s visit was to find out where the Rosens were.

Chapter 6: Number the Stars

1. What do you think “cigarettes” are? Why does Papa state there are many in Copenhagen?

Ans: The “cigarettes” are a secret code word for Jews.

2. What was Mama’s true reason for choosing the country path to Uncle Henrik’s house?

Ans: Mama’s true reason for choosing the country path to Uncle Henrik’s house was because it was more fun to be in the country.

3. Why was Annemarie worried when the soldiers questioned them on the train?

Ans: Annemarie was worried that Kirsti would tell the soldiers that it was Ellen's New Year, and that would tell the soldiers that Ellen was Jewish.

4. Why did they travel to Uncle Henrik’s house?

Ans: They traveled to Uncle Henrik’s house to be safer from the Nazis in case the Nazis came back.

Chapter 7: Number the Stars

1. What’s the danger in the girls talking to others?

Ans:  They don't want to have Ellen exposed, and people asking questions about her identity is a threat to everyone's safety.

2. What does the sea represent for Ellen and her family ?

Ans: It represented freedom and the chance to survive.

3. Why did Mrs. Johansen ask the girls if they saw anyone while playing near the shore?

Ans:  She does not want soldiers talking to them and finding anything out about them.

4. What was the name of Uncle Henrik’s boat and where did he get the name?

Ans: Uncle Henrik’s boat was named the Ingeborg “for Mama”.

5. What did Annemarie do with Ellen’s necklace ?

Ans: Annemarie has hidden Ellen’s necklace in a safe place

Chapter 8: Number the Stars

1. Why do the adults keep referring to the term “good-fishing” ?

Ans: Adults keep referring to the term “good-fishing” as it seemed to be a code word which Annemarie was not aware of.

2. Why is Annemarie so confused about the death of Great-Aunt Birte ?

Ans: Annemarie was so confused about the death of Great-Aunt Birte because she had never heard the name before

3. How did Annemarie make fun of German soldiers ?

Ans: Annemarie made fun of the German Soldiers by saying “Will they relocate the butter too ?“

4. What is the old custom when someone dies ? What did the family have to do to prepare for the funeral ?

Ans: It is an old custom for the dead to rest at home and their loved ones to be with them before the burial. The family had to clean the living room and move the furniture to prepare for the funeral

5. Why is Annemarie so delighted to have oatmeal, milk, cream and butter at breakfast ?

Ans: Annemarie so delighted to have oatmeal, milk, cream and butter at breakfast because they always have bread and tea every morning

6. Why when his sister and his nieces were visiting would Uncle Henrik spend the whole night on his boat ?

Ans: Uncle Henrik would spend the whole night on his boat because he was leaving very early the next morning.

Chapter 9: Number the Stars

1. Why did Ellen make a sharp cry when she went outside with Henrik ?

Ans: Ellen made a sharp cry went outside with Henrik because her parents came back.

2. Why didn’t Annemarie tell Ellen the truth about Aunt Birte ?

Ans: Annemarie didn’t tell Ellen the truth about Aunt Birte because she understood that she was protecting Ellen the same way mama was protecting her.

3. Why was Kirsti sent to bed before Aunt Birte’s funeral ?

Ans: Kristi was sent to bed before Aunt Birte’s funeral because she was not old enough to attend the  funeral.

4. Who do you think the people arriving at the funeral are ?

Ans: I think they were Jews and friends of Uncle Henrik and Peter

5. Why does Uncle Henrik suggest that it's better to be brave if you don’t know all the facts ?

Ans: Uncle Henrik suggest that it’s better to be brave if you don’t know all the facts because you don’t have to worry about the problem and if the Nazis catch you, you won’t have anything to say.

6. What is implied about Annemarie and Mama by the lines:

“Annemarie knew that Mama was lying again and she could see that Mama understood that she knew.They looked at each other for a long time and said nothing. In that moment, with that look, they become equals.”

Ans: They were both protecting the Jews.  

Chapter 10: Number the Stars

1. Explain why the soldiers came to the farm house ?

Ans: The soldiers came to the farm house because an unusual number of people have gathered at this house.

2. Why did they want to see in the casket ? How did Mama stop them ?

Ans: The soldiers wanted to see in the casket because it is a custom to look your loved one in the face. Mama stops the soldiers from opening the box by saying that Great Aunt Birte died of Typhus

3. Why is Peter’s reading from the bible so important ?

Ans: Peter’s reading from the bible was so important because if there were soldiers outside listening, watching, they would think that everyone inside the house would be doing the right thing.

4. What is Ellen’s view of the fake funeral ?

Ans: Ellen's view of the fake funeral is it is real and not fake.

Chapter 11: Number the Stars

1. Why did the officer slap Mama ? Why doesn’t anyone go to defend Mama ?

Ans: The officer slapped Mama because he got angry at her, no one defended her because they didn’t want the Nazis to stay any longer.

2. Why didn’t Mr. Rosen ask what was in the package that Peter gave him to take to Uncle Henrik ?

Ans: Mr. Rosen didn’t ask what was in the package that peter gave him to take to Uncle Henrik because if he did know he might be frightened or in danger.

3. What was the purpose of Aunt Birte’s funeral ?

Ans: The purpose of Aunt Birte’s funeral was so that Uncle Henrik to take the “guests” in his boats to Sweden.

4. What was in the casket and why was it there ?

Ans: The casket had warm clothing and the casket was there to pretend someone had died and to store the warm clothing

5. Where were the Rosens and the other strangers going ?

Ans: The Rosens and the other strangers were going to Sweden.

Chapter 12: Number the Stars

1. What promise did Ellen make to Annemarie ?

Ans: Ellen made a promise to Annemarie that Ellen will come back someday.

2. What advice on walking the trail did Mrs. Johansen give the Rosens ? How did Annemarie pass the time while waiting for her mother ?

Ans: The advice Mrs. Johnsen gave the Rosens were “try not to
stumble over the tree roots in the path, and feel careful with your feet because the path is uneven.
Annemarie passed the time by thinking about what is happening in Copenhagen and where was mama now?

3. Explain the following thoughts of Annemarie, “It was harder for the ones who were waiting, Annemarie knew.
Less dangerous perhaps, but more fear.”

Ans: The thoughts of Annemarie mean that when people have something very important and they are not there at that time and not
“living the moment”, they will be in less but danger, but that person will have a constant worry until they give a signal

Chapter 13: Number the Stars

1. What happened to Mrs. Johansen on her way back from Uncle Henrik’s boat ?

Ans: Mrs. Johansen broke her ankle on her way back from Uncle Henrik's boat.

2. What did Mr. Rosen dropped at Uncle Henrik’s house ?

Ans: Mr. Rosen dropped a package that peter gave him

3. What does Annemarie use as a cover story in order to get the package to Uncle Henrik ?

Ans: Annemarie’s cover story is that Uncle Henrik was going fishing and he forgot his lunch.

4. What do you think Mrs. Johansen meant when she said that “it may all have been for nothing” when she spotted the parcel ?

Ans: Mrs. Johansen meant that the parcel might just be no use to Uncle Henrik

5. Why did Mrs. Johansen tell Annemarie to act like a silly girl if she were stopped ?

Ans: Mrs. Johnsen told Annemarie to act like a silly little girl if she was stopped because then the
people who caught her, would think that she is a silly little girl.

Chapter 14: Number the Stars

1. Why would Annemarie be reciting Little Red Riding Hood to herself as she went ?

Ans: Annemarie was reciting Little Red Riding Hood to herself because it usually
comforted her sister, so she thought it would work out the same way for her.

2. What does the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood symbolizes for Annemarie ?

Ans: The wolf from Little Red Riding Hood symbolizes for Annemarie is the Nazis

3. Describe what happened to Annemarie on the way to the boat ?

Ans: On her way to the boat, Annemarie ran into Nazis, with dogs to sniff out hidden stuff,
luckily the dogs didn’t find anything.

Chapter 15: Number the Stars

1. Why do you think the German soldiers stopped Annemarie ?

Ans: The Germans soldiers stopped Annemarie because she was outside walking
in the woods early in the morning.

2. Why do you think the contents of the packet were so important ?

Ans: The contents of the packet were so important because when the
dogs tried to smell it, they turned around smelling nothing.

3. Why did Annemarie behave like Kristi when she was stopped by the German soldiers ?

Ans: Annemarie behaved like Kristi when she was stopped by the German soldier because then she
would not be that suspicious to the German soldier.

4. Why was it good that Annemarie did not know what was in the packet ?

Ans: It was good that Annemarie didn’t know what was in the packet because
if she did know what was in the packet, then she might of been too scared to answer the soldiers.

5. What was in the basket that helped fool the Germans into thinking it was Uncle Henrik’s lunch?

Ans: The handkerchief in the lunch box helped fool the German Soldiers.

Chapter 16: Number the Stars

1. What would have happened if Annemarie had not gotten the handkerchief to Uncle Henrik ?

Ans: If Annemarie had not gotten the handkerchief to Uncle Henrik, then the dogs would
sniff out the Rosens under the deck and they will be sent to concentration camp.

2. What was Uncle Henrik’s explanation for each of the following:

1. Annemarie not seeing the Rosen’s in the boat.

Ans: Annemarie was not seeing the Rosens in the boat because Uncle Henrik built
a hidden underground area.

2. The use of a drug on the baby.

Ans: The drug use on the baby was so the baby would sleep and cry out loud
which would give away the spot they were hiding in.

3. The handkerchief

Ans: The handkerchief was given so that if the dog tries to sniff
out the people hidden, the handkerchief would make the dog confused and lose it’s scent.

3. What did Annemarie learn about Peter from Uncle Henrik ?

Ans: Annemarie learned that peter was apart of the Danish Resistance.

4. What were the two clues that should have clued Annemarie in about Peter ?

Ans: 1. Peter always brings mama and papa the Free Danes.

       2. Peter always seems to be on the rush to go somewhere.

Chapter 17: Number the Stars

1. What does Annemarie wearing Ellen’s necklace show ?

Ans: By wearing the necklace in Ellen's place, Annemarie
is making a statement: it's okay for her friend to stop hiding and honor those parts of her identity.

2. Why was everyone celebrating in Denmark ?

Ans: Everyone was celebrating in Denmark because the Nazis went away and left the country.

3. What happened to Peter ?

Ans: The Nazis found Peter and they killed him.

4. What did Annemarie learn about Lise ?

Ans: Lise was also part of the Danish Resistance, just like Peter.

Overall Question:

What was the author’s purpose in using young children to portray this story?

Ans: The author used children in the story because the author
mostly made the book for young children, and it is easier for children to understand
the view of the story because young children don’t usually understand everything
that grownups say.