Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Number the stars
Lois Lowry
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes. Its HootRating code, ME, means moderate content, mostly emotional.
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About This Book
What would you do if your best friend suddenly needed to hide from soldiers invading your country? Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen finds herself in the middle of a dangerous secret as she helps protect her Jewish friend from being captured. Can bravery and friendship overcome the fears of war?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set during World War II, this historical fiction novel follows ten-year-old Annemarie as her family hides her Jewish best friend from Nazi soldiers in Denmark. The story highlights themes of friendship, courage, and resistance, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12. While the book addresses the harsh realities of war and persecution, it does so sensitively, providing a valuable lesson on bravery and human decency.
Why we rated Number the stars ME (Moderate)
Number the stars is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 137 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Number the stars on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate Number the stars as ME (Moderate, mostly emotional) because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Number the stars explores friendship, family, historical, war & conflict, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, historical.
- ✓ Readers (and parents) who care about award-recognized writing — Number the stars carries an award.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
ME · Moderate · EmotionalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780547577098
- Pages
- 137
- Publisher
- Sandpiper
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction