Number the Stars is a historical novel set in Denmark during World War II. Lowry has written the novel in third person ("He says," as opposed to, "I said," which is first person), using a limited omniscient viewpoint (only Annemarie's thoughts and feelings are revealed). Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her family live in Copenhagen, Denmark. Their lives have changed drastically because the Nazis now occupy Denmark (1943). Through Annemarie, we learn that the Danes must abide by curfews and use blackout curtains on their windows. They have no fuel for heat, and electricity has been rationed. The Danes must use candles to light their homes. They have sadly become accustomed to Nazi soldiers standing on every street corner and have learned to be "just another face in the crowd," going about their business, trying not to be noticed by the Nazis. The adults are fearful and sad because they understand the dangers of the Nazis occupation of Denmark and they have experienced loss resulting from the actions of the Nazis. Annemarie's older sister, Lise, was killed because she was an active member of the Danish Resistance, a group of people opposed to the Nazi occupation of Denmark and supportive of the Danish Jews. Annemarie, her five-year-old sister, Kirsti, and her best friend, Ellen Rosen, are unaware of the danger that surrounds them. They are only aware of obvious changes that have affected their lives. They are aware of the food shortages (sugar is no longer available, they eat bread without butter, and their mothers drink "coffee," which is really just herb-flavored water); they can't get rubber tires so bicycles have wooden wheels; they are unable to get leather shoes — just shoes made from fish scales; and they play with paper dolls cut from old magazines. Some things, however, continue as usual. Annemarie still plays with Ellen, and all of the children attend school. Annemarie's father and Ellen's father go to work the same as always.
Number the Stars begins with a foreboding tone. Annemarie, her sister, Kirsti, and Ellen are running home from school and are questioned by the Nazi soldiers. Mrs. Hirsch, the button store owner, and her son are taken away by the Nazis. When the Rosens, upstairs neighbors and good friends of the Johansens, go to their synagogue to celebrate the Jewish New Year, their rabbi warns them that they are in extreme danger of being taken and "relocated" by the Nazis. When the Johansens find out, they offer to help them because, "that's what friends do."
