THE BOY IN THE STIPED PYJAMAS BY JOHN BOYNE (Gallimard)
SETTING: The book is set during world war II, around the year 1943. The story started in Berlin and after it took place in Auschwitz camp ( in Poland ). Bruno's father was a high-ranking SS officer who was promoted to commandant in Auschwitz camp and his family has to move. In his new place Bruno felt homeless. He discovered that many people wore the same striped pyjamas and he became friend with one boy: Shmuel ( a young Jewish boy ) . CHARACTERES: -Bruno is a German boy who is 9 years old. He felt homeless and lonely in the new place of Auschwitz. He he is very curious and wants to have more information about people who are wearing striped pyjamas. He is not in the same mind as his sister; he doesn't feel SS. -Shmuel is a Jewish boy, born in Poland. He was forced to work in Auschwitz with his parents, he is wearing striped pyjamas. He was born at the same date as Bruno. -Bruno's sister, Gretel, is 12 years old, she has a bad opinion about Jewish people: she agrees with the nazis' ideas. -Bruno's father is a military man, he is the director of the prisoner camp ( he obeys the ÂŤ Furher Âť ). He's very strict with everyone. THE PLOT: Bruno, a young German boy, moved to a new country, he lives next to a Jewish camp because his father works there. One day, as he was very puzzled by the camp, he went there and met Shmuel who was a prisoner of the camp and they became good friends. Bruno went in front of the camp everyday and gave food to Shmuel through the rungs. One day, as Shmuel worked at Bruno's house, Bruno offered him food when a German soldier arrived and accused Shmuel to have stolen the food... BEST FEATURE OF THE BOOK: It's a very sad but also nice story about a key event during world war II in Auschwitz. You discover the strong life of young Jewish children. You learn lots of details about the life in a camp
and how it was difficult. WORST FEATURE: The story is a bit slow to start. RECOMMENDATION: The people over 14 will appreciate this story because it's a friendship story which takes place during real historical events. It is very hard story which helps us to remember what happened during Second World War.
Marine BONTEMPS Morgane BOTTERO