80 pages • 2 hours read
John BoyneThe Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2006A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Set during World War II, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne tells the story of Bruno, a young German boy who moves with his family to Auschwitz, where his father is the camp's commander. Bruno befriends Shmuel, a Polish Jewish boy on the other side of the camp's fence. Despite their friendship, Bruno remains unaware of the true nature of the camp and his father's role in it. Includes themes of extreme violence and historical trauma.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne offers a moving story about an unlikely friendship during a dark historical period. While praised for its emotional depth and narrative simplicity, some critics argue that the novel's historical inaccuracies and simplistic portrayal of complex events may undermine its educational value. Suitable for both young and adult readers.
Who Should Read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas?
Readers who appreciate The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne are typically drawn to historical fiction with a focus on World War II and deep emotional narratives. Similar fans would enjoy The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak for their compelling and poignant perspectives on the Holocaust.
RecommendedReading Age
12-17yearsLexile Level
1000LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Allegory / Fable / Parable
History: European
History: World
WWII / World War II
Holocaust
Life/Time: Childhood & Youth
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Society: War