Number the Stars: Why Tell the Story Through Annemarie? Point-of-View

Number the Stars: Why Tell the Story Through Annemarie? Point-of-View Investigation | Grades 5–8

Help students move beyond simply identifying point of view to investigate why Lois Lowry chose Annemarie’s limited perspective in Number the Stars. This no-prep lesson asks students to examine how a ten-year-old protagonist shapes what readers know, what remains hidden, and how tension, emotion, and dramatic irony develop throughout the novel.

Students analyze specific moments from the text, compare Annemarie’s understanding with the reader’s understanding, gather evidence, and consider how scenes would change if they were told by an all-knowing adult narrator. The lesson culminates in a collaborative Point-of-View Investigation in which groups use evidence to explain Lowry’s narrative choice.

Included
- Teacher Directions & Overview
- Mini Research Questions & Online Resources
- 5-Step Group Investigation
- 3 Student Research & 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 comprehension to deeper literary analysis
- Focuses on author’s craft, point of view, textual evidence, and dramatic irony
- Encourages collaboration and evidence-based thinking

Perfect For
- Number the Stars novel studies
- Author’s craft & point-of-view lessons
- Literature circles
- Small-group investigations
- Collaborative projects
- Grades 5–8 ELA

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. No part of the novel is reproduced or included in this resource, and this product is not intended to replace the book.
Students and teachers must have access to legally obtained copies of the novel to complete activities that require reading or referring to the text. Purchase of this educational resource does not include a copy of Number the Stars and does not grant permission to reproduce, distribute, scan, upload, or otherwise share the novel.
References to the novel, its characters, events, and themes are included solely for the purposes of educational instruction, literary analysis, discussion, and classroom activities.