Saturday 30 January 2010

Review: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas


Title: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Author: John Boyne
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Reading Level: YA
Rating: 4/5

Summary:
Berlin 1942 When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house far far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance. But Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different to his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences.

Review:
I knew this book was about The Holocaust. I knew it was about a boy. I could guess the outcome. It sure has the wow factor for an ending. This book is told through the eyes of a nine yr old boy who meets a boy across the fence. He has no idea what he is doing there nor why he is wearing striped pajamas. It is an innocent book throughout his eyes. I was shocked with the ending. It is stories like this that help us always remember where we came from, so we will never go there again. It is a very quick read and kept me thinking. Great book.

Quote:

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

8 comments:

  1. I've seen this book at other sites and its gotten some good reviews. I'll have to add it to my must read list.

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  2. Hi. I've not actually read this book yet but do own it, although I have seen the movie and just sat still and shocked for half an hour after. I've read mixed reviews but all seem to agree that it gets it's message across.

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  3. Wow, this seems so unique. And apparently there's a shocking ending so I have to read it and find out!

    Emidy
    from Une Parole

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  4. The ending makes the book. I thought it well done.

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  5. I think the movie is on instant play on Netflix right now. I wonder if it is a good adaptation of the book.

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  6. The movie was not a bad adaptation. Though the ending was not done as dramatically. Worth watching, I think.

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  7. I haven't read the book, but I have seen the movie. Shocking ending to say the least. Left me speechless and in tears. A must read for sure!

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