Visuals matter. When you're reading Lois Lowry’s Newbery Medal-winning novel, the imagery of 1943 Copenhagen is already vivid in your mind, but finding the right number the stars pictures to anchor that experience for students or fans is surprisingly tricky. You want something that captures the tension of the German occupation without being unnecessarily graphic for a middle-grade audience.
Honestly, the "right" pictures aren't just random stock photos of Denmark. They are the ones that show the Star of David necklace clutched in Annemarie’s hand, the dark woods leading to the sea, and the stark contrast between a "normal" childhood and the reality of the Holocaust.
Why the Right Imagery Changes Everything
Lowry’s writing is sensory. She talks about the "sour, sharp smell" of the soldiers and the "cold, blue water" of the Gilleleje coast. If you’re looking for number the stars pictures, you’re probably looking for a way to bridge the gap between historical fact and historical fiction.
Most people start by looking for the book cover. Which one? There are dozens. The original 1989 cover features a close-up of a girl with a gold necklace. This is the definitive image for many. It was actually based on a real photograph, which adds a layer of authenticity that AI-generated art just can't touch. If you want to show your students what the "real" Annemarie might look like, that original jacket art is the gold standard.
The Power of the Star of David Necklace
The necklace is the central symbol. Ellen Rosen’s father gives it to her, and Annemarie has to rip it off her neck to hide her Jewish identity from the Nazi soldiers.
When searching for number the stars pictures, look for historical photos of 1940s jewelry. It wasn't shiny, modern gold. It was often brushed, slightly worn, and deeply personal. Showing a photo of a real artifact from the Resistance museum in Copenhagen can ground the story in reality. It’s one thing to read about a necklace; it’s another to see a grainy, black-and-white photo of a similar item smuggled out of a war zone.
Historical Context: Copenhagen 1943
You can't talk about this book without talking about the location. Copenhagen during the occupation had a very specific look.
💡 You might also like: How to Watch The Wolf and the Lion Without Getting Lost in the Wild
Think bicycles. Lots of them. Because there was no fuel for cars, everyone biked. If you find photos of Amertorp or the harbor from that era, you’ll see thousands of people on bikes. This is a great visual to share because it explains why the girls were running in the first chapter. They weren't just playing; they were navigating a city where the rhythm of life had been forced into a manual, slower pace.
Then there are the soldiers. The "Tall Boy" and his partner. Real number the stars pictures should include historical archives of German patrols in Denmark. Unlike the terrifying images from Poland or Germany, the occupation of Denmark was initially marketed as a "model protectorate." The soldiers were everywhere, but they weren't always shooting. They were just... there. Standing on corners. Asking for papers. That "mundane evil" is what Lowry captures so well.
The Escape to Sweden
The climax of the book happens on the water. Henrik’s boat, the Ingeborg, represents safety.
When searching for visuals of the escape, look for "Danish fishing boats 1940s." These weren't sleek yachts. They were sturdy, wooden, salt-crusted vessels. They smelled of fish—which was a plot point! Remember the handkerchief soaked in cocaine and rabbit blood to throw off the dogs?
- The Harbor: Search for Gilleleje harbor photos.
- The Woods: Look for images of the Danish coastline where the forest meets the sea.
- The Boat: Find cross-sections of old fishing cutters to show where the "secret compartment" would actually be.
Basically, the more "lived-in" the pictures look, the better. You want your audience to feel the dampness of the fog and the splinters on the wooden docks.
Common Misconceptions in Visual Searches
A lot of people accidentally grab images from the movie Schindler’s List or other heavy Holocaust films when looking for number the stars pictures.
📖 Related: Is Lincoln Lawyer Coming Back? Mickey Haller's Next Move Explained
That’s a mistake.
Number the Stars is a story of "the courage of the ordinary." It’s bright in spots. It has the yellow curls of Kirsti and the red sweaters. It’s not all black and white and misery. If your visual palette is too dark, you lose the essence of Annemarie’s growth. She is a child learning to be brave, and her world still has color in it, even if that color is fading.
Also, watch out for "Great Dane" pictures. No, not the dog—the people! The Danish Resistance didn't wear uniforms. They wore trench coats and flat caps. They looked like bakers and shopkeepers because they were bakers and shopkeepers. Using pictures of actual Resistance members like Kim Malthe-Bruun (who inspired the character Peter Neilsen) brings a haunting reality to the classroom.
Making Your Own Visual Aids
If you can't find the perfect number the stars pictures, create a storyboard.
- The Street Corner: A photo of a modern Copenhagen street compared to a 1943 photo.
- The Rationing: Photos of "ersatz" coffee or butter. This helps kids understand why "real" coffee was such a big deal for the adults in the book.
- The Map: Always include a map of the narrow stretch of water between Denmark and Sweden. It’s only about 5 to 10 miles at its narrowest point. Seeing how close freedom was—literally within sight on a clear day—changes how you view the risk Henrik took.
Actionable Insights for Educators and Creators
If you are putting together a presentation or a blog post about this classic, stop using generic clip art. It kills the mood. Instead, follow these steps to find high-impact imagery:
Visit the National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet) website. They have digitized archives of the Resistance movement. These are the most authentic number the stars pictures you will ever find. You can see the actual hidden compartments in furniture and the illegal newspapers printed in basements.
👉 See also: Tim Dillon: I'm Your Mother Explained (Simply)
Use the "Life Magazine" archives. Search for Denmark 1940-1945. The photography is world-class and captures the "human" side of the war—the faces of children, the fashion of the era, and the quiet tension in the markets.
Look for Lois Lowry’s own photography. She is a photographer as well as a writer. Sometimes she shares the inspirations for her characters and settings on her social media or in special edition forewords. These are invaluable for understanding the "soul" of the book.
Focus on the contrast. Pair a picture of a beautiful, peaceful Danish meadow with a picture of a Nazi checkpoint. That juxtaposition is exactly what the book is about: the intrusion of horror into a peaceful childhood.
To truly honor the story, your collection of number the stars pictures should tell a narrative of its own. Start with the domestic—the home, the bread, the buttons—and slowly move toward the sea. By the time you reach the images of the Swedish coast, your audience should feel the same sense of relief that the Rosen family felt when they finally stepped off the Ingeborg.
The best way to start is by looking up the "Gilleleje Church attic." This is a real place where Jewish refugees were hidden. Seeing the actual space where people huddled in the dark makes Annemarie's journey feel incredibly heavy and incredibly important. Take that first step and look at the real history; it's more powerful than any illustration could ever be.