About This Book
This powerful historical fiction novel, set during World War II, follows nine-year-old Bruno, the son of a Nazi commandant, as his family relocates to a house beside the Auschwitz concentration camp. Unaware of the true nature of the "farm" next door, Bruno befriends Shmuel, a Jewish boy his age imprisoned behind the fence. Their innocent bond develops against a backdrop of unimaginable cruelty, leading to a heartbreaking climax that serves as a poignant, albeit controversial, introduction to the Holocaust. Parents should be prepared for a deeply emotional and tragic ending.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a 2006 Holocaust novel by Irish novelist John Boyne.
Concepts
Good vs. EvilFriendship & LoyaltyEmpathy & KindnessSadness & GriefJustice & FairnessFear & BraveryLoneliness & BelongingSelf-Confidence & IdentityCuriosity & WonderLove & FamilyResilience & PerseveranceHonesty & IntegrityShame & GuiltBeing DifferentMovingDeath of a Loved OneCultural IdentityFriendship & SocialFamily & SiblingsHistoryAdventure
Character Death
peril_danger
Scary Scenes
Violence
war_themes
discrimination
separation_from_parent
Discussion Prompts
1
What did Bruno misunderstand about "Out-With" and "the Fury"? How did his innocence affect his understanding of the world around him?
2
Discuss the friendship between Bruno and Shmuel. What made it special, and what challenges did they face?
3
The book is described as a "fable." What moral truths do you think it tries to convey?
4
How do Bruno's parents react to his disappearance? What does this tell you about their characters?
5
The book ends with the line, "Of course, all of this happened a long time ago and nothing like that could ever happen again. Not in this day and age." What do you think about this statement?
External Reviews
Google Books
5/5 (1 ratings)
NYT Bestseller
Young Adult Paperback
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