* Her own family history: Lois Lowry's parents were Jewish, and although they were not directly affected by the Holocaust, she grew up hearing stories about the dangers of antisemitism. This gave her a personal connection to the subject matter.
* Her father's experience: Lois Lowry's father was a journalist who covered the Nuremberg trials after World War II. He witnessed firsthand the horrors of the Holocaust, and his stories about what he saw deeply impacted Lois.
* The stories of survivors: Lois Lowry interviewed many Holocaust survivors while researching the book, and their experiences gave her a powerful understanding of the human cost of the Holocaust.
* The desire to educate: Lois Lowry wanted to write a book that would help children understand the Holocaust and its impact on the world. She felt that it was important to teach children about this dark chapter in history so that it would never be repeated.
While Lois Lowry hasn't explicitly named specific people who inspired her, it's clear that her personal experiences, the stories of Holocaust survivors, and her desire to educate all played a role in the creation of *Number the Stars*.