The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is the heartrending story of Bruno, a 9-year-old German boy living in World War II-era Berlin. When Bruno, the son of a high-ranking SS officer, moves to Auschwitz after his father receives a promotion directly from the Fuhrer, he is overcome with loneliness. When he inquires about the people he has seen wearing striped pajamas his father informs him they are not really people because they are Jews. Ignoring the rule forbidding him from exploring the area surrounding their home he meets Shmuel, a boy his own age who lives on the other side of the tall fence that is in their backyard. They soon become friends with Bruno never fully understanding why he cannot speak of their friendship with his father.
When Bruno finds out that he is to move back to Berlin he decides to embark upon one last adventure with his friend. Shmuel asks him dress in a set of striped pajamas like his own and crawl under the fence to come help him find his father, who has gone missing in the camp. His desire to help his friend comes with tragic consequences...
Acclaimed by critics worldwide and now a major motion picture, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a deeply profound and haunting novel that once read you're unlikely to ever forget.
"I really enjoyed this book! It was hard for me to put it down, I ended up reading it at the beach and even at friend's houses! "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" by John Boyne was about a nine year old boy named Bruno who's father is reassigned and forced to move to a concentration camp as the head leader. Bruno, being young, does not understand the situation and ends up befriending a small Jewish boy at the camp. What I liked about this book was being able to note smaller themes that Bruno was not able to identify due to his age. Neither him nor his friend, Shmuel, understood exactly what was going on. Bruno even found himself at times wishing he was "on the other side of the fence where there were more boys to play with". Bruno's ignorance towards the situations and acceptance of Schmuel really touched me and helped me enjoy this book. I would suggest this book to anyone!"
— Cecile (5 out of 5 stars)
BONUS FEATURE: Conversation between the author and the editor, David Fickling. Berlin 1942 When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house far far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance. But Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different to his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences.
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“This novel is extraordinary. It’s written from the perspective of an innocent and somewhat naïve 9-year-old boy, but the weight of what he’s seeing and living is felt fully. Readers will understand the seriousness of his life, even though our narrator doesn’t.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars)" Exceptional story and writing that draws you in immediately. A novel you'll remember forever about 2 nine-year old boys that met on both sides of the fence, from the time of the Holocaust. "
— KSLL, 6/14/2023" I like the way Bruno evaluates the people’s personalities and his environment. "
— RIDVAN ARZOGLU, 10/2/2021" It wasn't bad, wasn't good....it was disturbing. Perhaps that was the author's intent. Indeed, I will remember the ending, whether I want to or not. Having visited the Holocaust museum, the images in the book were that much more real to me. I would not recommend for a child ever. "
— Cyndee, 2/19/2014" Excellent book. A must read. "
— Booie, 2/7/2014" This book is a good book that shows some of the events that had happened in concentration camps for the Jewish people. The Germans were wanting to wipe out all of the Jews. This book is about a little boy that lives next to one of those camps with his family. When he goes to his back yard, he notices a boy in stripped pajamas sitting next to the fence that separates them two. They little boy tries to get his friend out (the boy in the stripped pajamas) by sneaking him into his house. I think that this is an amazing book for those that don't really get what happened back then between the Jews and the Germans. This book is full of drama between the boy and his family, and some violent parts. I suggest this book for every body that can read. "
— Robert, 2/3/2014" For young adult fiction, that is written like a fable, I found this book fascinating. It is hard to understand what an 8 year old thought about the holocaust. But in addition to thinking like a child, there were also many adult messages to be learned. "
— Marge, 1/30/2014" I have also seen this movie - intense and disturbing as were the times. "
— Judy, 1/28/2014" powerful, emotional without being treacly. "
— Shana, 1/22/2014" A great, quick read. It's written like a child's book for adults.....very sad though. "
— Jasmine, 1/19/2014" One of the most haunting books I've ever read. The ending is played out in such a chilling manner that I genuinely cried. A definite must-read. "
— Aoife, 1/13/2014" One of the worst books I've ever read. "
— Heather, 12/27/2013" I liked the descriptions given from the perspective of a 9 year old boy who didn't understand. It made a sad situation even sadder. "
— Jlemerson27, 12/3/2013" Absolutely though-provoking. Glad I gave it a go! "
— Joyce, 10/23/2013" This is a short, easy to read book and very tastefully done! I really enjoyed it, even given the subject matter (Auchwitz). Tho POV from a little German boy was very unique. "
— Sabrinaparr, 7/12/2013" Thats a really good book. it has a bit of suspense, and gets very interesting in the middle, after the boring beginning. The ending , though is very unexcpected and dumb! But go ahead and read it if you like suspense. "
— Vansh, 2/9/2013" This book is a celebration of friendship in its purest form before being tinted by the ugliness of the adult world, set in one of the darkest periods of human history. "
— Yi, 10/8/2011" A young boy in Nazi Germany meets a boy in striped pajamas on the other side of the fence and befriends him much to tragic results. "
— Lisa, 6/19/2011" This is such a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching book. It was amazing. "
— Miss, 6/18/2011" What a difference it would make if the whole human race could become as a little child and see the world as it really is . . . "
— Carri, 5/21/2011" The narrator is the son of the Nazi commandant who heads a concentration camp. Wonderfully done! "
— Linda, 5/21/2011" great book read it when my daughter brought it home from primary school a few years ago lol ..was so sad but much better than the movie... just wish i could change the ending :( x "
— Pamela-louise, 5/21/2011" I read this in a day........artfully constructed storytelling....highly recommend "
— Brenda, 5/20/2011" Such wonderful voice in this, and so heartbreaking. I saw the movie first and obviously there are differences, but both broke my heart in slightly different ways. "
— Wen, 5/20/2011" I thought this book was pertickerly good because of the nature it was set in and what events occur. I have also seen the movie of "The Boy In The Striped Pajamas" which was a exciting but towards the end it was sad. "
— Ben, 5/19/2011" The story of the Halocaust from the eyes on a nine year old. One a jewish boy and one the son of the commandert. It was a quick read and a very simple, but touching aspect of the reign of Hitler in a young boys life. Oh, to have the heart of a child. "
— Kathy, 5/18/2011" The story is told from he view of a nine year old boy and it doesnt make a lot of sense to do this but Boyne tells a great story. The boy makes suble references to things that at first glance is just the name of this like the place he lives "out-with". "
— Angie, 5/14/2011John Boyne is the author of novels for adults and children. His New York Times bestseller, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, won two Irish Book Awards, was short-listed for the British Book Award, and was made into an award-winning feature film. His novels are published in more than forty languages.
Michael Maloney is an actor who has appeared in numerous television productions, including as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and Prince Hal in Henry IV, parts 1 and 2, for which he won Best Actor/Best Supporting Actor awards. His theater credits include Sleuth, Peer Gynt, and All My Sons, and his film credits include The Young Victoria and Notes on a Scandal. He has narrated numerous audiobooks, earning seven AudioFile Earphones Awards.