Number the Stars Reading Comprehension Questions
by Lois Lowry
Book Summary
Annemarie Johansen, a ten-year-old Danish girl, lives in Copenhagen during World War II. Her best friend, Ellen Rosen, is Jewish. When the Nazis begin 'relocating' Jews, Annemarie's family helps Ellen and her family escape to neutral Sweden. This involves a dangerous journey to Annemarie's Uncle Henrik's house by the sea, where a secret operation is underway to smuggle Jews across the water. Annemarie shows immense courage and maturity as she plays a vital role in the resistance effort, carrying a crucial package to her uncle that helps save many lives.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Use these 14 questions to check understanding and spark deeper thinking about Number the Stars.
1.What did Ellen pretend to be when she stayed with Annemarie's family?
2.Where did Mama take Annemarie, Kirsti, and Ellen to help keep Ellen safe?
3.What important item did Annemarie have to deliver to Uncle Henrik's boat after Mama got hurt?
4.Why did Annemarie's family decide to help Ellen and her family escape?
5.Why do you think Uncle Henrik told Annemarie it was better not to know everything about the secret plan?
6.Why did the soldiers let Annemarie go after looking in her basket and seeing the handkerchief?
7.What is a big lesson Annemarie learns about courage in the story?
8.What does the story show us about the importance of friendship during hard times?
9.How did Annemarie change from the beginning of the story to the end?
10.In the story, the soldiers enforced a strict 'curfew.' What does 'curfew' mean?
11.The Nazis wanted to 'relocate' all the Jewish people. What does it mean to 'relocate' someone?
12.Annemarie's spirit was 'defiant' even when she was scared. What does it mean to be 'defiant'?
13.If you were Annemarie, would you have been brave enough to carry the package to Uncle Henrik, knowing you might meet soldiers? Why or why not?
14.What is one way you can show kindness and help a friend, even when it's difficult or you have to make a sacrifice?
Key Vocabulary
Important words from Number the Stars to discuss with your child.
Discussion Prompts
Great conversation starters for parents and teachers reading Number the Stars with children.
What was your favorite part of Number the Stars? Why did it stand out to you?
If you could talk to any character from Number the Stars, who would you choose and what would you ask them?
How did Number the Stars make you feel? Can you describe a moment that surprised you?
Would you recommend Number the Stars to a friend? What would you tell them about it?
What lesson or message do you think Lois Lowry wanted young readers to learn from this story?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What reading level is Number the Stars?
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry is recommended for grades 1-3 readers with an AR level of 4.5. It's an excellent choice for building reading comprehension skills at this level.
What are good comprehension questions for Number the Stars?
ReadBuddy provides 14 carefully crafted comprehension questions for Number the Stars, covering literal comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills. These questions help students engage deeply with the story.
How can I use Number the Stars for reading practice?
Read the book together or independently, then use ReadBuddy's comprehension questions to check understanding. Focus on vocabulary words, discuss character motivations, and encourage your child to make connections to their own experiences.
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