Why Second Language English Students (ESL) and Book Club Readers Should Read Number the Stars

Number the Stars is a historical fiction novel by Lois Lowry that tells the story of Annemarie Johansen, a young girl living in Copenhagen, Denmark, during World War II. The book follows Annemarie and her family as they help their Jewish friend, Ellen Rosen, and her family escape to Sweden.

Second language English students can benefit from reading and discussing Number the Stars in a number of ways. First, the book is written in clear and concise language, making it accessible to students with a variety of English proficiency levels. Second, the story is engaging and suspenseful, which can help to motivate students to read. Third, the book explores important themes such as bravery, friendship, and family, which can provide opportunities for deep and meaningful discussions.

In addition to the general benefits of reading Number the Stars, second language English students can also benefit from the book in the following ways:

• Improved vocabulary: Number the Stars contains a variety of rich vocabulary words, which can help students to expand their English vocabulary.

• Increased cultural awareness:The book provides a glimpse into Danish culture and history during World War II. This can help students to develop a better understanding of the world around them and to appreciate different cultures.

• Improved reading comprehension: The book is written in a clear and concise style, which can help students to improve their reading comprehension skills.

• Opportunities for discussion: The book explores important themes such as bravery, friendship, and family. These themes can provide opportunities for students to engage in deep and meaningful discussions, which can help them to develop their critical thinking and communication skills.

Here are some specific activities that second language English teachers can use to help students explore the historical background of Number the Stars:

• Read and discuss articles about the occupation of Denmark during World War II. This will help students to understand the historical context of the book and to learn about the challenges faced by the Danish people during this time.

• Research the role of King Christian X of Denmark in the rescue of the Danish Jews. This will help students to learn about the courage and leadership of King Christian X and to understand how his actions helped to save the lives of thousands of people.

• Interview Holocaust survivors or their descendants. This will give students a firsthand account of the experiences of people who lived through the Holocaust.

• Watch documentaries about the Holocaust. This will help students to learn more about the history of the Holocaust and to see how it impacted real people's lives.

By reading and discussing Number the Stars, second language English students can learn about an important period in history, improve their English vocabulary and reading comprehension skills, and develop their critical thinking and communication skills.