A review by jayvdw
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The book asks the question of how did the Holocaust look like through the eyes of a German child. And the book delivers on this! It was so interesting to read the spoiled german child trying to make sense of this bizar and horrible but sadly real moment in history. 

I did take quite a while for Bruno to actually meet the boy in the striped pyjama. But this time is not wasted and used to really make the reader learn and understand who Bruno is and how he sees the world. 

I believe this book is a great way to teach teenagers about the Holocaust or to introduce the topic. 
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