Reader’s Journal #14: The Boy In The Striped Pajama’s

Dear Mrs. Zrihen,
          I had just finished reading the book “ The Boy In The Striped Pajamas “ by John Boyne. The reason I picked this passage because I have had some recommendation on it and also heard a lot about it. The significants of this passage is that it is a fable in time of the holocaust. I had done 6 reading strategies before, during, and after reading this book (2 of each). First I did two things before reading this book. The first thing I did was I read the back telling it is a great book and once it is in my hands I wont put it down until I finished plus the synopsis. The second thing I did before reading this book is I noticed the picture on the front of the book which was blue and even lighter blue stripes. There was 2 things I did during reading this book. First I imagined every single thing that was happening in this book. Second thing I did during reading this book is I stopped after every single chapter, I went to the first page, and tried to remember what happen on every single page one bye one. There were 2 things I did after reading this book. First I asked my brother about it after I heard he watched the movie and discussed it. Second I just reminded myself every single thing that happened from chapter 1 to chapter 20.
          This book is a fable. The main characters were Bruno (protagonist), Gretel (protagonist), mother (foil), and father (antagonist). The places were Berlin and Germany. The time was 1942. The weather conditions were sunny and some rainy. (exposition) It started out as Bruno coming up stairs and sees his waitress maria packing is belongings. He did not understand what was happening. He later on found out that he had to move to place for his dads work. (rising action) When Bruno had moved with Gretel (his sister) mother and father. When he got to his room he looked out the window and saw all these people in striped pajamas behind a fence pretty far away from his house. Bruno hated his house all he wanted to do was leave back to his normal home in Berlin with all of his friends, in the house with 5 floors and a banister where he would be able to slide down. (climax) Bruno was the exploring kind of guy, he liked to do a lot of traveling. he would usually explore his old house but, his new house was only 2 floors therefore there is nothing to find. One day Bruno got out of his house and started walking towards a gate and right when he was going to turn back he saw a dot, then the dot became a speck, then the speck became a blob, then the blob became a figure, then the figure became a boy. This boys name was Shmuel and then they started to talk. This boy became Brunos best friend even though he was on the other side of the fence. (falling action) Its been  a year the Bruno and Shmuel has been talking and every time Bruno met him he would bring him some bread and sometimes he would bring some chocolate. Brunos grandma died therefore he had to go back to Berlin for the funeral. They had slept for a night or two in there old 5 floor house although Bruno did not like it much anymore over there. He just wanted to go back to his new house stay there and talk to his best friend. (resolution) Brunos mom was not able to take it at all in there new house and she just wanted to go back to the old house. the final decision was that Bruno, his mom. and sister go back to Berlin in the old house. 2 days before Bruno went to the fence and started talking to Shmuel. He told him that it will be his last day tomorrow. Shmuels grandfather was lost and he need help looking for him. since they both look the same Bruno said to meet him tomorrow at the same time and to bring a set of the striped pajamas to make him look like the rest. As they walked and walked and saw no sign and right when Bruno was going to say goodbye the soldiers came and led every one to some sort of room. The room got dark and no matter what Bruno was still holding Shmuels hand not expecting to let go. People were crowded all over and after that it was the end of Bruno and Shmuel.
          The main problem is that Bruno must leave his new home leaving behind shmuel (external). character vs self. The tone of this story is unpleasant throughout the whole story. The mood is very sad at the end and was just unbelievable. The theme of this story is to appreciate every single thing you get, because you have more then what others do. The moral of this story is when you love something just let it go. The point of view in this book is first person. The POO of this story is cause and effect. The authors purpose of writing this book is to entertain.
          This book took some time for it to get to the main point. I liked it a lot because it gave me a better meaning on what happened in the holocaust. This is the second book I have ever read in my whole life about the holocaust. They are one of my favorite books I have ever read.
          If I was to rate this book out of 10 I would rate it a 9 because the rising action was not so clear until the end.
                                                           sincerely,
                                                                   ofek peer