Questions About The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

by John Boyne (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (98)

Would this book be alright for an eleven year old?

Angela It depends on the child. Some 13 year olds might not be mature enough for it, but I just read this book with my newly 12 year old after coming across …moreIt depends on the child. Some 13 year olds might not be mature enough for it, but I just read this book with my newly 12 year old after coming across it in the YA section of the library. He is an advanced reader and very mature for his age but instead of just handing it to him, we read it together so that we could have discussions along the way. He is a 6th grader and familiar with the Holocaust - not all the details, but he understands the 'big picture'. This book gave him a little bit deeper understanding and more to think about which I appreciate.

The story is told from the perspective of Bruno, a 9 year old German boy, so it alluded to the sufferings he saw, but it never goes into detail because Bruno doesn't understand exactly what he is seeing. He just knows that he enjoys the friend he has made from behind the barbed wire fence. Along the way he learns he is Jewish and that they are being kept 'separated' but he doesn't understand why.

When the Author was asked if the book was written for children or adults, he says he didn't write it for one or the other - he just wrote a book. He doesn't put it into a 'category', but the Publishers have put into the YA category. I found that interesting because it doesn't fit neatly into any category.

The movie version follows the book very closely, but it is much more disturbing as it shows physical violence. Again, the book only alludes to the violence and injustices, but it never shows them. I recommend the book for most Middle School aged kids, and if a parent reads with, them, all the better.
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you should watch the movie?

Vonda Gardner The movie left a huge impression on me. That was why I read the book. It was easier to follow & understand. It is an important story, no matter the fo…moreThe movie left a huge impression on me. That was why I read the book. It was easier to follow & understand. It is an important story, no matter the format. (less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Ryu My interpretation is that the Commandant knew what happened. He saw his son's clothes, he saw the hole in the fence, and he could piece everything tog…moreMy interpretation is that the Commandant knew what happened. He saw his son's clothes, he saw the hole in the fence, and he could piece everything together (which was why I personally think he became so overwhelmed with grief- because he did this- he was responsible for his own son's death). (less)

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I didn't really understand what was said about Father at the end lf the book. Explanation please?

Fef (hatius hatius) Peixes After the father pieced together what happened to Bruno he didn't care about anything anymore. So soldiers came and took him away. and he said,"I don'…moreAfter the father pieced together what happened to Bruno he didn't care about anything anymore. So soldiers came and took him away. and he said,"I don't care what they do to me." So i guess that he was taken by ally soldiers to hold him for what he did to all those Jewish people. Or, the German Soldiers took him away for not doing his job after Bruno died. Hope that helped.(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Trudy Brasure The book is a particularly interesting insight into how a regular German family might get swept into the mechanism of evil brought on by a fascist lea…moreThe book is a particularly interesting insight into how a regular German family might get swept into the mechanism of evil brought on by a fascist leadership. Yes, you’re meant to feel compassion for all levels and types of humanity who meet with the tragic results of hate.
If you can’t feel sympathy for all humanity, then you’re just as susceptible to hate as the people you condemn.
At least that’s the significance of the novel to me. Shouldn’t we see each other as fellow human beings instead of labels? (less)

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