Number the Stars — Chapter 7

About This Passage

This is from chapter seven, when Annemarie and Ellen run down to the sea behind Uncle Henrik's house. Ellen has never been so close to the open sea before. The girls take off their shoes and socks and tiptoe across the wet stones until the water touches their feet — and oh! It is so cold that they giggle and step right back. Copying this passage helps the scout notice that even when scary things are happening in the world, two friends can still take off their socks, run to the edge of the sea, and laugh together about how cold the water is. That kind of joy belongs to children, and even soldiers cannot take it away.

Narration Prompt

Retell chapter seven in your own words. Begin with Annemarie and Ellen running across the meadow to Uncle Henrik's red-roofed farmhouse, with a friendly gray kitten that pretends not to follow them but does. Tell about the sea — how Ellen has never been this close to the OPEN sea before, and how Annemarie shows her that the misty land far across the water is Sweden. Tell about the brown leaf that might have blown all the way from a Swedish tree. Then tell about Mama calling the girls back, and warning them to stay away from people while they visit — even friends — because it would be hard to explain who Ellen is. End with Ellen and Annemarie in their nightgowns in the upstairs bedroom that was Mama's when she was little, hearing grownup voices downstairs — but tonight, no laughter.

Discussion Questions

1. Ellen says, 'I have never been this close to the sea,' and Annemarie is surprised, because they live in Denmark, a country with water all around it. Then Ellen explains that her parents are 'city people' and her mother is afraid of the ocean. What in the story tells you that Ellen and Annemarie have grown up in different kinds of homes? How do you know they are still very close friends?
2. Annemarie picks up a brown leaf in the water and tells Ellen it might have floated all the way from Sweden. Then Annemarie imagines two Swedish girls their own age, looking back across the water and saying, 'That's Denmark!' What in the story tells you that Annemarie wants Ellen to feel that the world is bigger than just one scared country? How do you know Annemarie is using her imagination to comfort her friend?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide