The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

written by John Boyne 

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a riveting story about two boys who meet in the worst way imaginable. The main character, Bruno is a 9 year old boy who is being raised in Berlin Germany during World War II. He and his family moves to a new house near the Auschwitz Concentration Camp because Bruno's father is promoted to Commandant by Adolf Hitler. The relationship between Shumel, a Jewish boy who is a detainee in the concentration camp and Bruno develop into a best friendship that ultimately leads to both boy's death.  

This book encompasses the historical fiction genre because it refers to historical events with a mixture of actual characters of history and additional characters set in the time of a historical era, World War II.

When reading this book one will be able to think twice about discrimination and why it is such a cruel characteristic to have and learn to respect other people and their differences. Respect is as contagious as Hate. Each person should pass respect on to the next person in order to continue a loving cycle that will become evident in future generations to come. 

Motivational Activities:

• Write a letter to Bruno from Shumel's point of view
• Include who you are and why you are there
• Compare and Contrast Bruno and Shumel's characters in the form of a venn diagram

Reader Response Questions:

• Why do you think Bruno would play with a boy who never could come outside of a fence? 
• Who was Shumel before he became a detainee? 
• Why did Hitler hate the Jewish People?

Readers may also be interested in John Boyne's other works for young readers including: Noah Barleywater Runs Away, Stay Where You Are Then Leave and The Terrible Thing That Happened To Barnaby Brocket.

References

 Boyne, J. (2006). The boy in the striped pajamas: A fable. Oxford: David Fickling Books. 

 Galda, L., & Cullinan, B. (2010). Literature and the child (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.