Number the Stars: The Meaning of the Stars Title & Symbolism Investigation |

Number the Stars: The Meaning of the StarsTitle & Symbolism Investigation | Grades 5–8

Help students investigate why Lois Lowry chose Number the Stars as the title of the novel and how those words provide a symbolic lens for understanding the story. This no-prep lesson guides students through the title’s biblical origin, its connection to individual human worth, and the significance of stars as a symbol of vastness, identity, and remembrance.

Students locate the title’s textual connection, investigate its biblical source, gather evidence from the novel, and analyze how the imagery of countless stars connects an enormous historical tragedy to individual people and individual lives. Groups then use their evidence to build and present a Title & Symbolism Investigation.

Included
- Teacher Directions & Student Overview
- Mini Research Questions & Online Resources
- 5-Step Group Investigation
- 3 Research, Analysis & Planning Pages
- Color + Black-and-White Student Pages

Why Teachers Love This
- No prep and ready to use
- Designed for 1–2 class periods of 45–60 minutes
- Moves students from identifying symbolism to evidence-based literary analysis
- Explores title significance, symbolism, biblical allusion, theme, and textual evidence
- Connects literary analysis with the novel’s historical context
- Encourages collaborative research, discussion, and presentation

Perfect For
- Number the Stars novel studies
- Author’s craft lessons
- Symbolism & theme analysis
- Title analysis
- Biblical allusion in literature
- Textual evidence practice
- Collaborative projects

Important Disclaimer
This is an independently created educational resource designed to accompany the novel Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. It is not affiliated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or sponsored by Lois Lowry, the publisher of Number the Stars, or any related rights holder.

Number the Stars and its characters, storylines, settings, and other elements originating from the novel remain the intellectual property of their respective copyright holders. Biblical material is referenced solely for the purpose of examining the literary allusion and symbolism used within the novel.

No part of Number the Stars is reproduced or included in this resource, and this product is not intended to replace the novel. Students and teachers must have access to legally obtained copies of Number the Stars to complete activities requiring reading, textual evidence, or reference to the text.

Purchase of this educational resource does not include a copy of the novel and does not grant permission to reproduce, distribute, scan, upload, or otherwise share the novel. References to its title, characters, events, themes, and literary techniques are included solely for educational instruction, literary analysis, discussion, and classroom activities.