Number the Stars

1. Number the Stars Jessica Rigdon Reading, period one

2. In what ways is the funeral at Uncle Henriks different from other funerals? The funeral at Uncle Henrik’s is different from other funerals because Uncle Henrik is going to help the Jewish people be safe by taking them somewhere. Almost all of the people are lying or not telling each other things in order to keep each other safe.

3. Think about the situation that the Johansens face. Why might not knowing everything make it be easier to be brave? Why does Mama lie to Annemarie? Not knowing everything would make it easier to be brave because if you knew something, and the German soldiers asked you about it, then you would act nervous, and they would know you knew about it. Mama lies to Annemarie in order for her to be brave, and not tell the German soldiers all that she knew.

4. What is the surprise that Ellen receives at the funeral of Great- Aunt Birte? Describe Ellen’s reaction. The surprise that Ellen receives during the funeral is getting to see her parents. Ellen’s reaction to this surprise is sad. She knows that she will be leaving, and she could possibly be found and killed, along with her parents.

5. How does Mama keep the soldiers from opening the casket? Mama keeps the soldiers from opening the casket by telling them Great-Aunt Birte had typhus-an infectious disease. They pretended they were Christian, but they really were Jewish.

6. What is the meaning of the Psalm read at the funeral? The meaning of the Psalm read at the funeral is to make the German soldiers think they were Christian.

7. What is in the casket? In the casket, there are blankets, jackets for almost all ages, and items that will help the Jewish people be safe and look like other people who are not Jewish. Peter is basically giving them disguises.

8. What does Peter give Rachel? Peter gives the baby sleeping medicine in a bottle. He said it won’t hurt Rachel, and it won’t even taste.

9. Peter gives Mr. Rosen a paper-wrapped package. What instructions does Peter give to Mr. Rosen? The instructions that Peter gave to Mr. Rosen was to give it to Henrik without fail. He also said it was of great importantance.

10. Describe the plan that Peter devises to get the group safely away. The plan that Peter devises to get the group safely away is that Mama should come twenty minutes after they left, and no sooner.

11. How long is Mama supposed to be gone? How long is she actually gone? Mama is supposed to be gone for only a one hour. She is actually gone almost all night.

12. What do you think happened to Mama? I think Mama was caught by the German soldiers while she was trying to get the Jewish people to the boat.

13. Describe what happens to Mama on the way back from the boat. On the way back from the boat, Mama starts to run and she accidentally falls on a tree root, resulting in a broken or sprained ankle.

14. What does Annemarie find next to the house? Next to the house, Annemarie finds the paper-wrapped package.

15. What instructions does Mama give Annemarie concerning the item she found next to the house? The instructions Mama gives Annemarie concerning the item she found next to the house was to pretend she was a silly, empty headed little girl who was taking her fisherman uncle his lunch.

16. What does Annemarie think about on the path to the boat? Annemarie thinks about the story Little Red Riding Hood on the path to the boat.

17. List the main characters in the story that Annemarie thought about. The main characters in the story that Annemarie thought about were: Little Red Riding-Hood and The Big Bad Wolf.

18. How are the characters in Number the Stars like the characters in Little Red Riding Hood? The characters in Number the Stars are like the characters in Little Red Riding Hood because they both take paths to go somewhere, and there is someone who tries to take something from each one of the girls.

19. What are the instructions that Annemarie’s mother gives her in case she is stopped? The instructions Annemarie’s mother gives her in case she is stopped is to act like a silly little girl who is just taking her Uncle Henrik some lunch.

20. What does the German soldier find in the packet? The German soldier finds a white handkerchief in the packet.

21. What is the first thing Annemarie had to try to do after returning from her uncle’s house? The first thing Annemarie had to try to do after returning from her uncle’s house was to milk the cow.

22. What is Henrik’s definition of bravery? Henrik’s definition of bravery was not thinking about dangers-just thinking about what you must do. X

23. How does Uncle Henrik get the Rosens to Sweden? Uncle Henrik gets the Rosens to Sweden by Ingeborg, the boat named after Mama. Ingeborg

24. What does Annemarie learn about Peter? Annemarie learns that Peter took the Jewish people to Sweden.

25. What is the secret of the handkerchief? The secret of the handkerchief was to tell Henrik that everything was well.

26. Bonus Question Why did the German soldiers stop Annemarie, Ellen, and Kirsti in the first chapter? The German soldiers stopped Annemarie, Ellen, and Kirsti in the first chapter because they were racing on the sidewalk.