
Age rating and parents' guide:Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry
Ages 9–14
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry is best for children aged 9–14. It has mild violence, some scary moments, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: War danger (gentle handling).
Danish girl Annemarie helps protect her Jewish best friend during the Nazi occupation of Copenhagen.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- Mild
- Scary moments
- Moderate
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Worth knowing: War danger (gentle handling)
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Novel
- A steady start that picks up quickly
- Mostly text
- Some emotionally heavy moments
Great for kids who like
- Historical Fiction
- Science
- Friendship
Reading mood
- Suspenseful
Good to talk about
- Friendship
- Science
Books like Number the Stars
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The War That Saved My Life
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A good book is the start. A mentor makes it stick.
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