The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne is a heartbreaking story about a young boy named Bruno in World War II Berlin. Bruno's father is an important leader of a Auschwitz, one of the largest concentration camps during the Holocaust. Bruno explores around his home and comes across the camp, where he meets a Jewish boy on the other side of the fence. Their secret friendship is tragically beautiful.
This story is a little too sad for elementary readers, but I would recommend it to 8-12 graders. Boyne creates amazing characters and a beautiful story.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes: Holocaust, Friendship, Identity, Society, Prejudice, Death
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