72 pages 2 hours read

Lois Lowry

Number the Stars

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1989

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Chapters 7-10Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 7 Summary: “The House by the Sea”

Ellen finds the farmhouse beautiful. It is close to the sea, and Ellen has never seen the ocean before because her mother is afraid of it. Annemarie points out the Swedish coast out to Ellen. The girls discuss Henrik's boat and how he docks it in the village.

Mrs. Johansen calls the girls inside, telling them they have to stay in the house because there are soldiers everywhere. She is making supper, including applesauce. The girls share Mrs. Johansen's old room, and Ellen wonders what happened to her necklace. Annemarie tells her she hid it somewhere very safe. Ellen wishes she knew where her parents are. Downstairs, Mrs. Johansen and her brother Henrik talk. It reminds Annemarie of earlier times, except that there's no laughter.

Chapter 8 Summary: “There Has Been a Death”

In the morning, while Ellen is still asleep, Annemarie hears her uncle get up to go milk the cows. Kirsti finds a cat she's named Thor and tries to give him water. Mrs. Johansen has made a good breakfast, which includes some butter. She says, “he managed to save a little this time” (Page 68). Annemarie wonders what Henrik saved the butter from, and Mrs. Johansen explains that normally the army relocates it all.