Number the Stars

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The characters seek out ways to cope with the threats they face in German-occupied Denmark. Discuss the role of fairy tales and folklore in the story.

• In what ways do the characters use fairy tales to help them cope with the challenges they face in their everyday lives? (topic sentence)
• Find two or three examples of characters gaining hope from fairy tales. Explain why the fairy tale gives them hope in that situation.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, discuss how the topic of fairy tales versus reality connects to the theme of The Safety and Dangers of Ignorance.

2. Throughout the novel, the characters find ways to demonstrate courage even through small actions.

• How do the characters demonstrate bravery through small actions in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Choose two characters and analyze how their small acts of bravery contribute to the resistance against Nazi oppression.
• In your conclusion, describe how these small acts of courage add up to make a larger difference in the face of persecution.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Analyze the various ways in which characters in the book demonstrate loyalty to their families. How do acts of loyalty strengthen family bonds and community ties? In what ways do these bonds extend beyond their immediate families, illustrating a broader sense of communal responsibility and solidarity? What sacrifices do the characters make to protect their loved ones, and how do these sacrifices show the theme of resilience in the face of adversity?

2. Explore the role of secrecy and trust in the relationship between Annemarie and Ellen. How do they protect each other’s secrets, and what are the risks involved in these acts? Discuss specific instances where trust is tested between them. How does this trust impact their relationship, their individual characters, and the overall plot of the story? Consider how this trust extends beyond their friendship and influences their relationships with other characters in the novel. How does their mutual trust and protection of secrets reflect on the social context of the novel? Use both historical research and examples from the text to support your response.

3. How do the characters’ identities shape their choices and responses to challenges? Choose two characters and explore how their personal and cultural identities influence their choices, relationships, and responses to the hardships of German occupation. Analyze how their understanding of self and their connections to their cultural or national identities evolve throughout the story. Support your analysis with specific examples and passages from the text.