Historical Fiction· United States
Number the Stars
by Lois LowryAggregate Editorial Score64/100
★Newbery Medal
Published 1990147 pagesEnglish
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Few works of historical fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that Number the Stars (1990) by Lois Lowry continues to receive. Ten-year-old Annemarie helps her Jewish best friend escape to Sweden as the Nazis occupy Denmark in 1943. Lowry's Newbery Medal winner is a moving and age-appropriate introduction to Holocaust history and the courage of ordinary people. Themes of Holocaust, courage, friendship run through the work. The book has received recognition from Newbery Medal 1990.
Book Details
About the Category
🗺️ Historical Fiction
Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.
Explore all Historical Fiction books →Country of Origin
🇺🇸 United States
This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.
Explore books from United States →Editorial Assessment
Lois Lowry published Number the Stars in 1990, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of historical fiction from United States. The book's treatment of Holocaust, courage, friendship, Denmark accounts for much of its enduring reputation.
Critics and institutions have consistently placed Number the Stars among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Newbery Medal 1990. Our aggregate score of 64/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals.
What distinguishes Number the Stars is how it handles its central concerns — Holocaust, courage, friendship, Denmark — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it.
Within United States's literary landscape, Lois Lowry occupies a significant position. Number the Stars is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
Newbery Medal
winner · national
199051
Lois Lowry is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of young adult.
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