Number the Stars — Chapter 6

About This Passage

Two children's books rolled into one passage — the older sister's nervous system saying 'oh no,' the little sister's nervous system saying 'aren't my shoes shiny.' Three things deserve attention. First, the precision of 'heart sank' — three short words doing the work of an entire racing heartbeat. Second, the silent reading of Mama's face: 'Mama's eyes were frightened' is the mother and oldest daughter aligning on the same fear without one syllable spoken between them. Third, the way Lowry uses the reader's expectation as suspense: she TELLS you what Kirsti is about to say in the dangerous version, and then doesn't have her say it. The reader experiences the almost-disaster on Kirsti's behalf. The shiny black shoes — last seen in chapter four when Ellen offered to dye them with her father's ink — return here as the rescue, not the danger. Lowry makes a thread we already know carry weight in a new scene.

Narration Prompt

Retell chapter six in your own words. Begin with the family talking quietly after the soldiers have left, when Mama tells Ellen, 'You have beautiful hair, Ellen, just like your mama's.' Tell about Papa deciding the girls cannot go to school today, and Papa's puzzling phone call to Uncle Henrik about 'a carton of cigarettes.' Tell about Annemarie figuring out that the cigarettes really mean Ellen. Then the train ride north along the coast, the soldiers in the car asking questions, and the heart-sinking moment when Kirsti starts to say 'Guess what!' Tell about Kirsti rescuing the moment with her shiny shoes. End with the long walk through the woods, Mama's memories of her childhood dog Trofast, and her arm around Ellen as she tells Annemarie to say they've brought a friend.

Discussion Questions

1. Right after the soldiers leave, Ellen apologizes for having dark hair. Mama answers, 'You have beautiful hair, Ellen, just like your mama's. Don't ever be sorry for that.' What in the story tells you Mama wants to refuse Ellen's apology, not just answer it? How does Lowry use Mama's calm response to remind the reader that the chapter five raid did not turn the family against Ellen — it deepened the family's loyalty to her?
2. Papa's phone call to Uncle Henrik is full of strange lines: 'Is the weather good for fishing?' / 'a carton of cigarettes' / 'others coming to you as well, I'm sure.' Annemarie figures out that the carton of cigarettes is really Ellen. What in the story tells you Papa has chosen this code on purpose? Why is a code that sounds boring exactly the right kind of code to use during a war?

+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide