The boy in the striped pyjamas by John Boyne Publisher : Gallimard
2006
Setting : The story takes place during the Second world war, in Germany. First, in Berlin than in Auschwitz.
Characters : Bruno Hoess : Bruno is the nine-year-old son of a Nazi Commandant, he has got a sister named Gretel. Bruno has brown hair and he's constantly made fun of because he is short for his age. He loves exploring and wants to be an explorer when he grows up.
Gretel Hoess : Gretel is a twelve-year-old girl who loves playing with dolls. She is very rude, sarcastic and bossy. She annoys her brother very much, he thinks she's a « hopeless case ». She always follows the rules and believes almost everything anyone tells her.
Shmuel : Shmuel is a nine-year-old boy who was capturated by the Germans. He is the boy in the striped pyjamas. Shmuel was sent to a concentration camp called « HocheVite ». He is a quiet and very lonely person.
The Plot : Bruno is a little boy who lives with his parents and his sister, Gretel and maid servants called Maria and Lans in a huge house in Berlin. His father is a SS officer who is promoted to Commandant and Bruno and his family has to move away to a place called « Hoche-Vite » (Auschwitz). When he gets there, he feels some homesickness after leaving behind his grandparents and his three best friends. He's unhappy with his new home because he has
no one to talk or play with. Bruno looks over the window and sees a bunch of people wearing the same striped pyjamas and hats. They're Jews. One day, Bruno spots a boy on the other side of the fence, Shmuel. Everyday, they meet at the same spot. Soon the become best friends. Then a long story will follow this magic friendship.
Best feature : I think that best feature is when the two children started to be friends.
Worst feature : It takes place in the ending of the story so we can't reveal it !
Recommendation : Children who like historical stories might enjoy this book. Ugo PATIES BarthĂŠlemy CARN