This is a great story, well-told, but has a very strong ending. That is why I rated this as age 15+. The end of the story is very disturbing, and readers will not fully understand the story without a basic understanding of the holocaust. I highly suggest reading this with your child, no matter what age!
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
(2006, Fiction - Historical Fiction, Written by John Boyne)Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 100% | of parents say it's educational |
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
Have you read it? 
Most Recent Reviews
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Read with your child; talk about it together.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Educational
good book!
the book at the very end was sad and will be WAY to CONFUSING AND SAD FOR KIDS UNDER 11.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Very thought provoking
I really enjoyed this book. Its sad but I enjoyed the way the author handled the holocaust on a kid's level. I read this book months ago, but still think about it quite a bit.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
A total must-read for tweens+
This heartbreaking story of friendship and innocence is too sad for younger kids. The book is well-written, and explores complex issues from a child's perspective. Wonderful and honest. One of the best books ever.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Parent & Educator Reviewers Say | Kid Reviewers Say
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Negative role models
AN AWSOME BOOK!!!!!
This book is awsome and much less intense then the movie!! definetly a book for OLDER TWEENS to start reading!!!!
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
This book is awsome just like the movie!!!! And if your younger child wnats to watch the movie read the book with them first.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Educational
A GREAT BOOK FOR HOLOCAUST BEGINERS
If your child is atleast 11 years old and is interested about the holocaust then this is a perfect book for them to read!!!! If they already have some knoledge of the holocaust let them read it on there own and make sure to ask if they have any questions when there done. But if they have VERY LITTLE TO NO knoledge about this grusome subject i would suggest reading it to them. (they won't understand much of the book or especially the ending if you don't) BOTTOM LINE: VERY GOOD BOOK FOR OLDER TWEENS TO START READING
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Educational
great book for older tweens and younger teens
this book is awsome and is much less vilont and detailed then the movie. it's a perfect book to read wit your older tween and young teens BEFORE they watch the movie.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
awesome book, for 11+
I loved this book! I think that it is iffy for up to 10. but it's awesome for preteens, teens, adults and up!!
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
A Fourteen-Year-Old's thoughts
I read this book and the author himself explains why the book is the way it is. The reason why some of us think the book is unrealistic is that we look at in hindsight instead of at the time it takes place from the point of view of a sheltered nine-year-old German boy whose father gets made Nazi commandant of 'Out-With'. When you take a close look at it it makes sense that the book was written that way even though it doesn't always stick to the facts but it's ficition so it's not supposed to. It's an interesting book and makes you think about why people act the way that they do and how we can try to improve the world so there aren't anymore Brunos and Shmuels.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Great book with some disturbing dark themes. I did a book study on this one and it really opened my eyes. To see two innocnt children tangled up in a web of lies and corruption is really awful. A must read.
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
My Favourite Book
I am in year nine and currently studying "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas." I read a lot, and often go through a book a week, so as you can guess I have read many book. But this tale of courage and friendship is my favourite book. it show the horrors of the concentration camps in world war two throught the innocent eyes of a child. I love this book and I reccomend it to anyone and everyone.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Depending on maturity. Great read for tweens and older.
This book is amazing. I am thirteen and after reading this book i could really understand how so many young Germans could have not known about the things their parents were involved in. At times this is a real heart wrenching novel.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Great for teens and up...
This is such a great book, but is so sad. the emotional content alone would make this teens and up. The violence is not very graphic, but it is implied throughout the entire book.
- I rate this title off for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Educational
so sad
i am almost twelve and i just finished reading the book and let me tell you it is SAD! This book blocks out swears and tells about horrible things that happened very vagley. And it tells in not so brief detail about what jews are going through. (Describes that they have to do work,are unhealthily skinny,grow pailer every day, and are very dirty.) Also mesions beating of a jewish child. (not vaige enoff for younger kids not understand what happened.) (8-9). so sad.
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
I really enjoyed ready 'the boy in the striped pajama's' it took me on an emotional journey and you could sense what it would be like to be involved in war. My class seemed to enjoy it but a little disappointing ending.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
A book that will make you cry, you'll love it.
I really loved this book, but the ending is so sad. I almost cried, the author did such a great job you'll feel what Bruno(The Main Character) is feeling. A must read for anyone who is interested in the Holocuast and over 10 years of age.
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
So sad and moving
Wow, this book was indeed sad. I'm not gonna give it all away, but it's basically about a kid named Bruno. His family moves from their home because their Dad's job has been moved. I can't say the rest since it would give the story away, but it's set in the time of WWll. So, it's the Holocaust. I'm not giving any more, but it's so sad and moving. I never expected a book like this to be this good. Some kids that are maybe 9 and younger, possibly 10 and younger, may not understand everything in the book, because of the vocabulary. Plus, younger kids might not be interested and may even be confused with the book. They may not understand the Holocaust. But, preteens and up can understand this amazing and so sad book. Loved it.
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
A very good book...
Kids should read this if they are intersted in the holocaust am still reading its a very good book by the way parents please let your child read this if they are MATURE enough to understand....
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
This was a really good book and very well written. I was attached to it as soon as i finished the first chapter, and finished the book in two days! However,in terms of accuracy, this book is a bit off. Shmuel wouldn't have been able to sit around the fence all day, like in the book. Bruno would have been caught because all parts of the camp were guarded so nobody could escape. I think John Boyne should done a little more research on his part. Overall, the story was great and much better then i could have hoped for.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
haunting and moving
this book is excellent for readers who are looking for differnt views and outlooks on the holocaust other than the normal ones they would here about in books such as number ther stars, milkweed, and the book theif. Yes, are three of them were great books, but the boy in the striped pajamas gives a controversial outlook on the holocaust through the eyes of a little boy. Readers should be warned that the ending will be far from warm and fuzzy.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
haunting and moving
this book is excellent for readers who are looking for differnt views and outlooks on the holocaust other than the normal ones they would here about in books such as number ther stars, milkweed, and the book theif. Yes, are three of them were great books, but the boy in the striped pajamas gives a controversial outlook on the holocaust through the eyes of a little boy. Readers should be warned that the ending will be far from warm and fuzzy.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
Sad. Very Emotional. Great Message.
This book was an excellent and well written book. John Boyne really captured the effects the Nazis had on the Jewish people. It ended with a death of the main character, which was unexpected.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
Sad. Very Emotional. Great Message.
This book was an excellent and well written book. John Boyne really captured the effects the Nazis had on the Jewish people. It ended with a death of the main character, which was unexpected.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
The Boy in the Spriped Pajamas
The book is great but movie is very, very sad...
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
I know i cried..
this is a great book..its sad because its about hittlers son..his son loved his dad and didnt understand why he had to move..and then he got killed..it was really sad... ( its a 10 star)
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
i cried :( ! but is a must read or see movie/book !!
I thought this book is so emosinal but it does tell you the truth about the holocaust, i am in year 8 and my whole english class really enjoyed it. IT is so sad bruno story and its shows you no religion can show you who you friends are like bruno and shmuel prove in this novel !
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
a moving and interesting must read book for teens!
this book was excellent! it was given to me by my friend but i didnt think id like it, but after 2 or 3 chapters i was hooked!it is written by 9 yr old brunos point of view,so it can be hard to understand, but it is a very deep and insightful view into the holocaust, and is very sad at the end! i cried! definetly 12 yrs+, must read!
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
I almost balled my eyes out!
WOW this book was amazing! Our teacher just got finished reading this book to our class.Everyone loved it.I thought it was powerful,sad and serious.I was not expecting of what happend at the end!Dont want to ruin it for others...Great book but not for kids maybe under 10.
