Chapter 1-3 Summary of “Number the Stars” for an Eleven-Year-Old Pupil:

In the first three chapters of “Number the Stars,” we meet a young girl named Annemarie Johansen who lives in Copenhagen, Denmark during World War II. Annemarie is ten years old and has a best friend named Ellen Rosen, who is Jewish.

Chapter 1 introduces us to Annemarie’s family and their daily life. We learn that Annemarie has a little sister named Kirsti and that their parents are kind and loving. Annemarie’s older sister, Lise, died a few years ago, and her parents still miss her very much. Annemarie’s father works as a writer, and her mother stays at home to take care of the family.

In Chapter 2, we learn that the war has started, and the German soldiers have occupied Denmark. Annemarie’s family is worried about what this means for their Jewish friends, like Ellen and her family. They know that the Nazis are treating Jewish people unfairly and are taking them away to concentration camps. Annemarie’s parents decide to help Ellen’s family by hiding them and pretending that Ellen is part of their family.

Chapter 3 takes place at a school where Annemarie and Ellen attend. The teachers are teaching the students about the war and the Nazis. Annemarie learns about the Star of David, which Jewish people were forced to wear on their clothes to identify themselves. She also learns about the Resistance, a group of brave people who are secretly fighting against the Nazis. Annemarie starts to understand the danger that Ellen and her family are in and how important it is to keep them safe.

In these first three chapters, we see Annemarie’s world changing as the war comes closer to her home. She learns about the unfair treatment of Jewish people and the bravery of those who resist the Nazis. Annemarie’s family takes a big risk by hiding Ellen and her family, showing us the importance of friendship and standing up for what is right, even in difficult times.