Number the Stars is a work of historical fiction by the American author Lois Lowry about the escape of a family of Jews from Copenhagen, Denmark, during World War II.

The story revolves around ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen, who lives with her mother, father, and sister Kirsti in Copenhagen in 1943.

However, her former fiancé, Peter, who is partially based on the Danish resistance member Kim Malthe-Bruun, continues to help them.

She took the photo of ten-year-old Anna Caterina Johnson, the Swedish girl used for the cover (shown in infobox), which was used on many book editions.

Ellen is forced to stay with the Johansens and masquerade as Lise, Annemarie's late older sister, despite being half her age.

When they arrive, Henrik tells Annemarie that her Great-Aunt Birte has died, and a huge casket is placed in the middle of the living room.

Annemarie doesn't believe she has a Great-Aunt Birte, but Henrik encourages her to be brave and keep this secret to herself, even from Ellen.

Peter, who is present, reads to the group the beginning of Psalm 147 from the Bible, which describes the Lord God numbering the stars.

After finishing, Peter opens the casket and gives the warm clothing and blankets stored inside it to the Jewish families, who were masquerading as Great-Aunt Birte's "friends.'

After helping her mother back to the house, Annemarie finds a packet of great importance to the Resistance, which Henrik had dropped when he accidentally tripped on a flight of stairs.

He also explains that the handkerchief in her package contained the scent of rabbit blood, which attracted the Nazi dogs, and the strong odor of cocaine, which numbed their noses and prevented them from tracking the Jews.