I thought about...

I have heard before that there weren’t kids at Auschwitz, at least not for any length of time, that a kid inside couldn’t spend that amount of time at the fence day after day making friends with someone, that it’s not historically accurate. But I still think it has value because of the way it makes you feel and think about things. And it’s supposed to be a fable (the moral of the story is…), rather than historical fiction, which is different. The way I had to question why I cared more about this kid than the others while reading the book really made me consider my reasons for feeling that way. The point of view is much different than other books I’ve read on the topic. And it’s a great book for discussion.

Published review #2

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39999.The_Boy_in_the_Striped_Pajamas

Published review #1

http://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm?book_number=1854

In this book I would change...

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Movies/2008/1108/p25s02-almo.html
In the book, "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" I would change the ending. I was particularly happy with the majority of the story until it came to the last few pages. I wanted the story to continue and I was disappointed when it ended and how it ended. I did not like that Bruno went past the fence because I knew he would get himself in trouble even though he was helping a friend. I was sad to read that Bruno's parents were so worried about him, but it made me mad reading this part. It made me mad because all those other times when Bruno wanted love and attention, his mother nor father were there for him. It took him having to go on the other side of the fence and ultimately be gone forever for them to then start to care and worry about him. I say cherish what you have because like the sang goes, You never know what you got til it's gone. I would have liked to see Bruno return back to his home after the day of exploring on the other side of the fence with Shmuel.

Sympathy

I feel the most sympathy for Shmuel, Bruno's Jew friends from the other side of the fence. He is a very skinny boy, pale skin and at this time, it is the worst time to be a Jew. He is treated horribly at "Out-With". Bruno has to sneak food to Shmuel which makes this story even more suspenseful because at any moment they could get caught and it would be Shmuel who would be in trouble. Shmuel gets beat by the soldiers and the saddest part of this is that Bruno's father is the "Commandment" and orders these soldiers to do horrifying things to the Jews. How can such a sweet and generous boy have a father similar to that of a beast?

Favorite Character

My favorite character would be Bruno. Even though at times he is difficult, I enjoy his character. He reminds me of myself; stubborn yet eager. Bruno is a small nine year old boy who is the "opposite" of a Jew, according to his older sister Gretel. He likes going on adventures, like the one he took to the other side of the fence. He is careful of what he says, yet knows what not to say in certain situations. I feel bad for him at first because he has no one at his new out at "Out-With", but soon enough he makes a bond with a Jew from the other side of the fence named Shmuel. Bruno does not care what others think and he will strive to do whatever he can for someone to make them happy. He is a kind hearted boy, being all he has been through in the past year.

Motivation

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/boy_in_the_striped_pajamas/Bruno has been forced to leave his home town in Berlin, to a gloomy town called "Out-With". Bruno strives to stay positive, but all in all, he hates it there. He hopes to go back there one day, but the odds off that happening are slim to none. He has a tutor come to the house now, but the teacher will not let him study art and reading. Instead, all day long they discuss history and geography. Bruno starts to like it eventually and declares he wants to be an explorer when he grows up.

Prediction

As the story started there was so much going on. The little boy and his family were in the middle of a move and I could not understand why. Bruno, the main character is a nine year old boy living in Berlin. Bruno's home there is beautiful; a five story home with servants. The move involves his father being changed to Commandment and when they settle in the the new home Bruno is not happy. Their new home is at a place called Out-With. I expect something disturbing to happen since there prisoners outside their home and everyday seems to be gloomy.

http://www.boyinthestripedpajamas.com/#/home