Number the Stars Theme of Friendship

A best friend—it's a lucky thing to have, don't you think? A BFF always has your back and understands you like nobody else does. You know, they just get you. In Number the Stars, Annemarie and Ellen face a whole boatload of scary issues, but one thing's for sure: they have each other. When the chips are down, Annemarie sticks by her friend. Oh, and to top it all off, she saves her life, too.

1. If their roles were reversed, do you think Ellen would be as good a friend to Annemarie as Annemarie is to her?
2. Does religion factor into the girls' friendship at all? Why or why not? 
3. Based on what happens at the end of the book, how do you think Annemarie and Ellen's friendship will develop?
4. How would you compare Ellen and Annemarie's friendship with the friendship between their mothers?

If Annemarie and Ellen weren't best friends, Annemarie wouldn't have been willing to risk her life for Ellen. Friendship is a powerful force.

Annemarie and Ellen's friendship is like a metaphor for the relationship between the Danes and the Jews. Neither is concerned about differences in religion, and both are strong enough to withstand the Nazis' attacks.