The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Publisher: Random House
Review
Bruno has a happy life in Berlin, so is shocked when he learns his family are moving to 'Out-With'. One day Bruno is out exploring the bleak surroundings of his new home and befriends a boy of his own age: Shmuel, who lives on the other side of a fence which surrounds a large camp in the grounds.
Shmuel and the other inmates of the camp are all under-nourished and wear a uniform of striped pyjamas. Bruno is not sure why they are there or why he is forbidden to mix with them but the boys friendship grows.
Their friendship sustains them both but ultimately ends in tragedy when Bruno crawls underneath the fence to help Shmuel search for his missing father. Suitable for readers older than the book's nine-year-old protagonist, the story serves as a compelling and shocking symbol of the futility and horror of the holocaust.
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Holocaust Memorial Day
To mark Holocaust Memorial Day and the liberation of Auschwitz, here is a poignant booklist that should hopefully help explain and inform younger readers about the events surrounding the Holocaust.
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Historical fiction
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What you thought...
Average rating:
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Someone, London, 02 January 2017
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It's a great book and I suggest many people to read it!
A Person, 03 November 2016
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This is such a interesting book
5, 5, 16 October 2016
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it was a very entertaining book, but it did have quite a lot of ups and downs that made me want to stop reading but i didn't, i quite enjoyed it. Good Book, thumbs up.
Charli, 09 September 2016
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good stuff
a guy on the interwebs, not available, 23 July 2016
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Best book I've ever read! 5-stars!
Rachel, Doncaster, 13 July 2016
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Excellent read, intrigued by every page!
Ryan, Tamworth, 26 June 2016
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This is a very good book! I had read this in English and the whole class gave a good review! At first I thought that Gretal was mean and all bossy! When I read the rest of the book I thought that she turned into an interesting person! Personally I recommend people to read this book.
Louisa, Birmingham, 02 March 2016
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I have seen the film and read part of the book, it is a incredible story that pulls at your emotions ! I would definitely recommend reading this!!
Madeleine, Roedean School, 20 December 2015
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I as well read this book in my English class and we all encounter various emotions. It was devastating when Bruno died at the end and he was holding Shmuel's hand and he wouldn't let go!!!!!! Thank you Boyne, you inspired me!
alexis, london, 12 November 2015
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i like the book because the author made the book were you can feel and picture the story while you are reading it. What i liked about this book was the son was an explorer but then he messed up and went in side the camp and got killed. The father was sad because he just died but he also understand why he should not live next to the camp with his family
nicholas b, willis, 27 October 2015
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Wonderful book...Too hard for me to describe how amazing this book was. I found it very inspirational. I love love love it! Keep writing amazing books like this Mr Boyne! :)
Sarimytha, London, 18 October 2015
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i love love love this book. my class read this book in English and it was like roller coaster of emotions:sadness ,happiness, laughter and most of all it actually tells us how life was in those times. i cried at the end it was so touching and so unpredictable but what really got to me was that it was true that this actually happened. love the movie as well but the book was better! this is one of the books that i will read everyday even if i finish it i will also tell my family members and ...
maariya, london, 09 July 2015
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I watched the movie it was so sad and my friend cried at the end.
Vanessa, chestnut ave, 11 May 2015
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is book is amazing and one of the best books I have ever read
Turkan, city of london academy islington, 09 October 2014
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I thought the book was very interesting however it was sad at the end. It made my mum laugh and cry at the same time.
Emily, Our Lady and Saint John Catholic College, 08 October 2014
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This books is absolutely amazing and most heart touching books I have ever read bring chills down my spine!! Urgg I just can't stand how heatbreaking the books is when I read it I literally saw the words fading away due to the amount of tears on the book pages!! It is soooooo dam good! Reading this books makes want to question myself it just changes me as a person! I really truly recommend you to read this book and experience the pain and emotion as I did....
aisha, birmingham, 20 September 2014
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in my RE class last year (Y7) I nearly cried because it was so good.
Callum, United Kingdom, 18 September 2014
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I really liked the book it was really fun!!
faye, kingsthorpe collage, 17 September 2014
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it was heartbreaking so I wanted to put it down but I just can't stop reading. I took 3 hours to read this book. I am going to read this book again soon.
suhaila, singapore, 10 September 2014
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This is a really good book I would recomend it to anyone who enjoys reading about WW2! I hope you enjoy it! ;-)
Lewis, Kennet, 08 September 2014
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We did this in our English lessons most thrilling experience ever . We then went on to watch the movie most heartbreaking book that i have ever read. I can tell you it's sad but if have a chance read it. You won't want to put it down.
Lily, Midlands, 09 January 2014
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a very moving thought provoking book that has strong plot, great characters and drama
Anne, Retford, 15 November 2013
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A very moving tale showing equality no matter what our nationality is.
Anonymouse, Sssolibrary, 08 October 2013
The best Book I ever read, amazing, awesome...