Number the Stars/Friedrich by Lois Lowry/Hans Peter Richter

Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen are forced to come to terms with the treatment of Jews in Denmark during World War II. Annemarie and her family are drawn into the resistance movement, transporting Jews from Denmark to the safety of neutral Sweden. In an effort to help the Rosens flee their homeland, Annemarie discovers the meaning of bravery.

The Number the Stars unit examines the Holocaust, the history of the Jewish people, World War II, and anti-Semitism, as well as Jewish and Danish culture. On a more personal level, students examine the lessons learned from the Holocaust and apply them to their own lives. The values of courage, compassion, pride, resisting evil, and standing up for what one believes are reinforced.

Friedrich demonstrates the treatment of Jews in Germany, both before and during World War II. Friedrich and his downstairs neighbor struggle to maintain their friendship when it is challenged by political and religious conflict. The terrifying tale is seen through the eyes of a young non-Jewish boy who witnesses the persecution and death of his friend, Friedrich. The unit examines the history of the Jewish people, anti-Semitism, and the Holocaust. On a more personal level, students examine the lessons learned from the Holocaust and apply them to their own lives. The values of courage, compassion, pride, resisting evil, and standing up for what one believes are reinforced.

About the Series:

Novel/Drama curriculum units contain complete lesson plans with preliminary and follow-up work, teacher notes with plot summary, background, and rationale, ready-to-use worksheets, and suggested answers for student questions. These study guides encourage the development of thinking, reading, speaking, research, and writing skills as well as critical thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.