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This book tells the story of Bruno, an eight-year-old boy whose family moves to a house beside a concentration camp because of his father‘s job as a Nazi officer. Bruno explores the area and meets Shmuel, a Jewish boy who lives inside the camp and wears “striped pajamas.” Even though they are separated by a fence, the two boys become friends. The boys work together to help find Shmuel's missing father and discover a harsh and unfair reality.

“Despite the mayhem that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel's hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go.“

This novel can be a powerful anchor text for lessons on perspective, empathy, and historical understanding. Students can see how limited point of view shapes the way a story is told, compare fiction to real historical events of the Holocaust, and discuss themes of friendship and moral courage. It works well as part of a cross-curricular unit that brings together literacy, social studies, and character education.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a quiet and haunting story that follows Bruno, a young boy who slowly begins to question the world around him. The simplicity of the narration makes the harsh reality of the Holocaust feel even more striking. It is a book that stays with you long after you close it, urging you to think about innocence, empathy, and the cost of hatred.

“And then he did something very brave: he reached out and took Shmuel‘s hand.”

I would use this book in class to teach my students about the Holocaust and how it impacted people's lives. The Holocaust is an important event in time that greatly affected jewish people. Students need to learn about this so they can understand the importance of being kind and accepting to everyone.

“We‘re not supposed to be friends, you and me. We‘re meant to be enemies.”

This book is a historical fiction book, and it meets the expectations of historical fiction by the setting of the story. The book is set during WWII and is focused on a young Jew who is at a concentration camp and a young boy whose father is a Nazi. It draws out deep emotion for the reader, as they reader experiences these hardships with the boys.

I think this book would be most appropriately used in an upper level classroom because of the intensity of the situation. I would use this book as a way for students to gain an insight into the reality of the holocaust. I would have my students do a project on this book either a paper, presentation, or physical project board on the way the book has changed their views of the holocaust.

“...Despite the mayhem that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel's hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go.”

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is about Bruno, an 8-year-old who moves near a concentration camp and secretly befriends Shmuel, a boy stuck inside. They meet at the fence, get close, and when Bruno tries to help him, they end up in a tragic situation that neither of them understands.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication year: 2006
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a really emotional and eye-opening read. The simple writing makes you feel the story through a kid‘s perspective, which makes the ending hit even harder. It‘s heartbreaking, super memorable, and definitely one of those books that sticks with you long after you finish it.

“He was just a boy, after all, even if he was a different kind of boy.”

I would use this book when discussing World War 2 and/or the Holocaust to give perspective of what it looked like.

This book is about a little boy living near a concentration camp during World War II. He makes friends with a Jewish boy living in the camp. It shows what the Holocaust was like from a different prespective.

“In fact everywhere he looked, all he could see was two different types of people: either happy, laughing, shouting soldiers in their uniforms or unhappy, crying people in their striped pajamas...“

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas could be used in my classroom to teach historical fiction and help students understand the Holocaust in an age-appropriate way. An activity to include would be a perspective journal, where students write short entries from either Bruno‘s or Shmuel‘s point of view to explore how each boy experiences the world differently. Overall, the book offers a powerful way to blend reading, history, and emotional learning.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is a powerful work of historical fiction that tells the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of nine-year-old, Bruno. When Bruno moves to “Out-With,” he unknowingly lives beside a concentration camp where he meets Shmuel, a Jewish boy on the other side of the fence. Their unlikely friendship highlights the difference between Bruno‘s innocence and the harsh realities Shmuel faces as a Jewish boy.

“Bruno: We're not supposed to be friends, you and me. We're meant to be enemies. Did you know that?”

You can use The Boy in the Striped Pajamas in older grades in the classroom to spark discussions about empathy, prejudice, and historical injustice. It helps students connect emotionally to Holocaust studies, reflect on moral choices, and understand the importance of kindness and standing against hatred.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne follows a little boy named Bruno as he unknowingly befriends a boy (Shmuel) imprisoned in a concentration camp. The friendship between Bruno and Shmuel is powerful and heartbreaking. Through Bruno‘s innocent perspective, the story reveals the cruelty of the Holocaust. Its simple writing contrasts with its heavy themes, creating a heartbreaking and unforgettable read.

Just finished BOY IN STRIPED pyjamas , not on list so chose number 2️⃣3️⃣. Next read is Rebecca which is number 21 changed mind for that book to. Library reserves ha got to be done #10beforetheend #bookspinbingo so far read - last day in Paris✔️ (3)- ✔️bookseller of Paris (12) - boy stripped pyjamas✔️ (23) - ✔️for you and only you (22) - ✔️Rebecca's tale(15) - ✔️secret lives of librarians(2) - midnight bookshop✔️(24) that's 7️⃣ BOOKS! In 4 weeks

#10beforetheend
- [ ✔️] Rebecca's tale - sally beauman finished today 20/10/25
- [ ] Paper hearts - Cecilia Ahern
- [ ] The wedding people- Alison espatch
- [ ] You are here - David Nicholas
- [ ] Light between oceans- m l Shedman
- [ ] Midnight and blue - Ian rankin
- [ ] Intermezzo- sally rooney
- [ ] Book seller Paris - Susanne kelman
- [ ] Rhythm of war - brandan sandston
- [ ] Boy stripped pyjamas (re read) - John Byrne
Let's do this

Can't wait to read this. Just discovered world of books app that pre loved books and omg amazing bought few books now. This one missing it cover but it well loved and so pretty might flick between this and current read tonight #moodreading why not no rules here :) happy Hev 🥰🙌📕🙈

“After all, the great joy of literature, as opposed to politics or religion, is that it embraces differing opinions,”

5🌟/5🌟

This was just heartbreaking. I've never seen the movie, so it was all new to me. 💔

“We're not supposed to be friends, you and me. We're meant to be enemies. Did you know that?“

This story would be particularly good for older elementary students to read about the Holocaust. I think it would be more impactful for them because the main characters were children who are relatable. This book could introduce them to big topics while still being interesting for students to read.

Historical Fiction- Bruno, a young boy, moves to a location near a concentration camp. He befriends Shmuel, a Jewish boy imprisoned there. Through innocent curiosity Bruno develops a friendship with the boy and gains a glimpse of the horrors of the Holocaust. The story ends tragically as both boys are victims of the camp's atrocities.

“Despite the mayhem that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel's hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go.”

Eight-year-old Bruno befriends Shmuel, a boy on the other side of a fence near his new home, unaware it‘s a concentration camp. As their bond grows, Bruno uncovers the terrifying truths of his world. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne is a poignant story about innocence, friendship, and the devastating effects of prejudice.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne tells the tragic story of an innocent friendship between Bruno, the son of a Nazi officer, and Shmuel, a Jewish boy imprisoned in a concentration camp. The novel explores themes of prejudice, ignorance, and the horrors of the Holocaust, urging readers to reflect on the consequences of hatred and the importance of seeing others as human.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne tells the tragic story of an innocent friendship between Bruno, the son of a Nazi officer, and Shmuel, a Jewish boy imprisoned in a concentration camp. The novel explores themes of prejudice, ignorance, and the horrors of the Holocaust, urging readers to reflect on the consequences of hatred and the importance of seeing others as human.

Eight-year-old Bruno befriends Shmuel, a boy on the other side of a fence near his new home, unaware it‘s a concentration camp. As their bond grows, Bruno uncovers the terrifying truths of his world. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne is a poignant story about innocence, friendship, and the devastating effects of prejudice.

“But of course, all this was before he had discovered the terrible truth about the way things worked.“

“...Despite the mayhem that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel's hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go.”

This is an amazing historical book for mature readers to enjoy. I loved this book and it pairs well with a movie. It puts a young boys perspective to life.

historical fiction, 2006. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a 2006 historical fiction novel by Irish novelist John Boyne. The plot concerns a German boy named Bruno whose father is the commandant of Auschwitz and Bruno's friendship with a Jewish detainee named Shmuel.

"He looked down and did something quite out of character for him: he took hold of Shmuel‘s tiny hand in his and squeezed it tightly. ‘You‘re my best friend, Shmuel,‘ he said. ‘My best friend for life.‘”

This story wouldn‘t be one I would use in younger classes however It could be good supplemental material in 5th grade as a chapter read. This story had dark topics and historical context in a different narrative than the general history view point.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne was published in 2006 it followed a boy bruno and his family‘s journey to a new home in “Out-With” which was a mispronunciation of Auschwitz. The story was filled with historical information about a different viewpoint of WW2 from a child‘s innocent point of view. The story used historical context to drive this tory by including information on Shmuel( a boy in striped pajamas). A heartbreaking story.

“... Despite the mayhem that followed, Bruno found that he was still holding Shmuel's hand in his own and nothing in the world would have persuaded him to let go.“

I would say this book is meant for higher middle school grades. It is a tough emotional read. While it is emotional and sad, it allows for many historical points. You could discuss the Holocaust, concentration camps, propaganda, etc. It gives such a sensitive point of view and should be approached with care.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a historical fiction that takes place in Poland during the times of WWII. It's about two boys who form a friendship through a concentration camp during the Holocaust. It gives a true feel for some of the emotions that were felt in this time period. The book is written mainly from the eyes of Bruno, one of the boys. It allows the reader to visualize the story and feel the feelings of the characters.

Such a heavy plot, told from a 9-year old's perspective.

“It‘s best to be a little bit careful, don‘t you think?”

I would use this book in my classroom because I remember it having such an impact on me and my classmates