This is a startling look at the holocaust through the eyes of a nine-year-old German boy. Bruno is the son of a Nazi Commandant. As a result of a promotion, Bruno and his whole family leave their lovely home in Berlin and follow Father to his new assignment—head of Auschwitz concentration camp. Bruno can see into the compound from his bedroom window, but he’s sheltered by his parents and extremely naïve. It’s this very naivety that makes this book appropriate for children as young as ten.
Mr. Boyne’s words flow very nicely, but the style is old-fashioned, almost simplistic. It’s in keeping with Bruno’s innocence. At times, however, the book almost doesn’t reveal enough information. Without some prior knowledge of the holocaust, World War II, and Auschwitz in particular, young readers might not even realize what’s going on throughout much of the book and may need some explanation. For example, Bruno calls the camp “Out-With,” and though he’s told in conversation that he pronounces it wrong, the proper name is never given until the Author’s Note at the end. Of course, an older audience will pick up on this immediately, but probably not kids. He also calls Hilter the “Fury” and is also called out on his mistake, but we are left to assume he’s saying “Fuehrer.” Hitler, however, is mentioned by name once or twice. And the horrors of camp are reflected more than viewed directly, which is good, but at times kids may not understand what’s happening.
Bruno lives at Auschwitz for a year at least, and though he learns bits and pieces, he never really does figure out what the camp is all about. I see the author’s intention, and I applaud that he keeps the entire book very appropriate for children, but Bruno’s innocence is almost to the point of impossibility. It is my one complaint. His friend Shmuel, a Jewish boy that he befriends on the other side of the fence, also comes off a little unrealistically. Though Shmuel is living in hell, he never displays much emotion, he never responds to Bruno’s total lack of understanding, and he never attempts to make his friend understand.
It is this naivety and innocence, however, that make such a shocking mirror. We are shown Bruno’s dismay at being uprooted from his home. We see his casual attitude toward wealth. We see his sister’s shock and horror at finding a louse egg in her hair. We’re told of the compassion Father showed to his mother’s dying friend. We experience the grief of Grandmother’s funeral. Yet it all underscores in a truly startling way the humanity of the Jews who suffer these things and more only a few yards. We see how Shmuel’s fingers are wasting away. We hear Bruno innocently assume there must have been a minor outbreak of lice in the camp because their heads are shaved like his. We watch him eat food in front of Shmuel without thinking. We hear him talk to Shmuel about “playing.” Bruno never really understands the life-and-death struggle, the horror going on just past his house.
But the reader knows. By the end of the book, even without any guidance by adults as to particulars, even without any graphic revelations by the author, the reader will have figured out the gist of what’s going on behind the walls. At one point, perhaps the most poignant moment of the story, Shmuel thinks, “It was almost as if they (he and Bruno) were exactly the same really.” The injustice comes through loud and clear.
While I do maintain that ten-year-olds could read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, be aware that it does have a few disturbing moments. They’re veiled or related matter-of-factly, like the shooting of a dog by a Nazi officer. Or like the marital strife between Bruno’s parents that suddenly ends with the reassignment of this same officer. Or Bruno’s observation that Mother lately needed to self-administer a lot of medicinal shots of sherry. It is the ending, however, that I won’t give away but I will caution parents about. Again, it is implied and not shown, but the readers know. And it is very disturbing.
Kudos, Mr. Boyle, for a touching story, for letting speak the voices which were silenced long ago, and for doing it in a way that gives kids an understanding of the past without overwhelming them. In my opinion, it is stories like this one–which teach children through emotional involvement–that are our best defense against repeating history.
After reading, I learned that a movie based on this book came out in 2008. (Where have I been?) I found the entire movie on YouTube and watched it the same day. It’s beautifully done. I thought Bruno and Shmuel are more believable and the problems between the parents develop more understandably. There are some profound moments from the book, however, that are left out. It’s a serious film, but appropriate for the same audience as the book. Well done and highly recommended.
Related post: Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, by John Boyne, 2006, Book Review
Thnaks for this review. This is an amazing book, one everyone should read. I actually saw the movie first and was so moved. I have recently read a couple of other good books about WWII written for children, Making Bombs For Hitler by Marsha Forccchuk Skrypuch and Hunger Journeys by maggie De Vries. Both well wriitten. I believe children (and everyone) should read books like these to understand the necessity of not letting such terrible events happen again.
I had Making Bombs for Hitler recommended to me when I reviewed Number the Stars in early summer but I couldn’t fiind it through our library co-op. It’s still on my tbr. I’ll add Hunger Journeys. Thanks, Darlene!
This is one of the most compelling stories I’ve seen about WWII. I have to admit that I own the movie, but never read the book. Thanksfor the nudge, because I know there was a lot of material left out of the movie–and the books are always better. But you certainly don’t expect the ending. Great review. The thing that struck me in the movie (don’t know if it’s in the book) was how naive the wives were too what was really happening in the camps.
I don’t know how accurate that part about the wives is. It’s a little different in the book. The book hints (quite vaguely) of loneliness and an affair between the wife and the blond young officer, that’s why he gets sent away. Not because he let slip what’s happening. She seems to know in the book. I actually like movie a little better, particularly at this point, because the conflict between husband and wife is developed more clearly, and I think the boys are more believable in the movie. But a very good book.
I have not read this–as compelling as it has always sounded to me. I must remedy this.
I’ve heard wonderful things about this book and the movie as well. It seems like it will have some heart jerking moments, but that they were well handled. Great review!
– Jessica @ Book Sake
It’s emotional, of course, but kid-appropriate. Beautifully done, Jessica. Thanks for stopping by!
I haven’t read the book or seen the movie. One of my 5th grade students recommended it to me at the end of the year during our HF unit, but I haven’t had a chance to read it. This book is on my list and I enjoyed your review.
Thank you, Steph. I love it when kids make recommendations to me. Seems like every time I visit a classroom I leave with a dozen new titles to look up. 🙂
I’ve not read this one yet, but will. Another one you might want to try if you have not already is Jane Yolen’s Devil’s Arithmetic.
Thanks for the recommendation, Deb. I’ve not heard of that one.
I read this book as a suggestion from my 13 (at the time) year old nephew. He was reading it as a school requisite. His emotional description of the book is what moved me to read it and I’m quite happy I did.
The book is heart wrenching. I refuse to watch the movie.
Once my son is old enough to absorb the content, he will definitely be reading this. I also believe it is important for our young generations to be aware of, and introduced to books like this so that events such as Hitler and the concentration camps will never again be allowed to happen.
Amen, Rachel. 🙂