Courage in a Book Part 1

The Wisdom of Books

When is the last time you read a book that made a difference in your life?  ‘Number the Stars,’ by Lois Lowry, did that for me.

In the introduction Lowry stated, “The book has been published in many countries now, translated into countless different languages from Hungarian to Hebrew. Everywhere children are still reading about the integrity that a small Scandinavian population showed almost seventy years ago. Books do change lives, I know, and many readers have told me that Number the Stars changed theirs.”

Why Number the Stars?

‘Number the Stars’ is a work of historical fiction based on the experiences of one of Lowry’s close friends. This friend experienced firsthand the effects of the Nazi occupation of Denmark during World War Two.

Firsthand accounts have a way of drawing readers in. Lowry once said the following about her book, “Most books published that long ago (over twenty years ago) have faded into pleasant retirement on dusty library shelves… But Number the Stars seems to have acquired its own long and vibrant life.”       

Overview of ‘Number the Stars’

The map above shows the location of Denmark in relation to the rest of Europe.

‘Number the Stars’ tells the story of how a group of people, who understood the concepts of citizens’ rights and responsibilities, courageously fought for justice. They also helped those who were being mistreated by the evil Nazi Regime.

This group of people were the courageous citizens of Denmark.

The Danish people’s courage helped over 7,000 Jews escape from the hands of the Nazis. One character in the book, Annemarie, questioned her mother about her (Annemarie’s) Jewish friend’s safety. Her mother responded, “Friends will take care of them, because that’s what friends do.”

Freedom for the Jews

The map above depicts a possible route the Danes may have used to smuggle Jews to Sweden.

Many Danish citizens gave their lives for smuggling Jews to freedom in Sweden. Lowry said this about the Jews, “They fled into the arms of the Danes, who took them in, fed them, clothed them, hid them, and helped them along to safety in Sweden.”

The Danes put their lives in danger hiding Jews and smuggling them out of Denmark into Sweden, away from certain imprisonment or death. Their courage came from a tremendous faith in God. 1 Chronicles 28:20 states the following, “David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.”

The Danes didn’t quit until the Jews were safely out of Denmark. The Danes understood it was their duty as citizens to help others. For them, freedom was worth fighting for, no matter the cost.

In part two I’ll discuss the Danes’ wise leader. I’ll also discuss some steps we can take to apply this book to our lives.

Until next time…

“The Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face towards you, and give you peace.”