NAME: ______
HG: ______
M
‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’
The book is set in Poland in the 1930’s during World War II (The Holocaust).
‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’
Using computers, research the following questions on the holocaust.
1. When was the Holocaust?
2. What was the Holocaust? Why were the Jews killed?
3. What is a death camp? How many were there? Where were they located?
4. What does the term ‘Final Solution’ mean? When did the ‘Final Solution’ actually begin?
5. How many Jews were murdered during the Holocaust?
6. How did World War II end?
‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’
Ghettos
a) See the definition of 'ghetto' in the dictionary. What problems might have occurred from large numbers of people, forced from their homes at a moment's notice and crowded into small areas?
b) Why did the Germans force the Jews into these ghettos?
c) If you were forced from your home and told to take only what you could carry, what would you take? What sorts of things would the Jews have in their bundles?
d) What do you think happened to the Jews' former homes?
e) How do you think you would feel if you had been sent to the ghetto, not knowing how long you were going to stay?
The Final Solution
a) Why would these people have been executed in this manner?
b) Why were they forced to undress? Consider the impact on women and young girls.
c) What might have been done with their clothing?
d) Why were the people forced to dig their own graves?
Mass Executions in Latvia
‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’
Journal
For each chapter you are required to write a journal. You must answer each question for each chapter.
1. Summarise the chapter. What are the main events that happened?
2. What new characters did we meet and what do we know about them? OR
What did we learn about old characters?
3. Make some predictions about what might happen next.
‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’
Chapter 1
Bruno Makes a Discovery
1. How does Bruno feel about his Berlin home?
Chapter 2
The New House
1. How does Bruno feel about his new home?
2. How do the other characters react to the move? Answer this question by filling in the table below.
Character / ReactionBruno’s mother / She is angry and resentful for having to move
Chapter 3
The Hopeless Case
1. Write down 3 things we learn about Gretel in this chapter.
2. What do the children decide is the reason for the name ‘Out-with’?
Chapter 4
What They Saw Through the Window
1. What did Bruno and Gretel see through the window? How does it make them feel?
2. Create a double bubble map comparing Gretel and Buno.
3. Draw a picture of the view from Bruno’s window.
Chapter 5
Out Of Bounds At All Times And No Exceptions
1. What do you think of Bruno’s father? How would you describe him?
2. How does Bruno act in his father’s office? Does this surprise you?
Chapter 6
The Overpaid Maid
1. Make a list of all the things Maria has done for Bruno throughout his life. How do you think Bruno has acted towards her up until now?
2. What did Maria tell Bruno about her past and that of her parents.
Chapter 7
Her Mother Took Credit for Something that She Hadn’t Done
1. What does Bruno learn about Pavel?
2. What is the difference between Kotler’s ‘little man’ and Pavel’s ‘young man’?
Chapter 8
Why Grandmother Stormed Out
1. How do Mother and Grandfather react to Bruno’s father’s new uniform and his new title of Commandant?
2. How is Grandmother’s reaction different?
Chapter 9
Bruno Remembers that He Used to Enjoy Exploration
1. What usual things went on at Out-With? Name at least three.
2. Who is Herr Liszt? What does he want Bruno to study?
Chapter 10
The Dot that Became a Speck that Became a Blob that Became a
Figure that Became a Boy
1. What do the two boys find out about each other?
Chapter 11
The Fury
1. What does Bruno feel about the Fury as the evening begins and progresses? Why?
2. Why does the Fury yell as Eva is talking to the children? What does that tell about him?
Chapter 12
Shmuel Thinks of an Answer to Bruno’s Question
1. What is Bruno most interested in? What is Shmuel? How does Bruno deal with Shmuel?
2. What does Shmuel mean by ‘You’re on the wrong side of the fence?’ Is he?
3. What does Bruno propose to do?
Chapter 13
The Bottle of Wine
1. Describe Pavel’s behaviour and appearance at the dinner. What does Bruno notice about him?
2. What does Lieutenant Kotler tell Bruno’s family about his father? Why is Bruno’s father so interested?
Chapter 14
Bruno Tells a Perfectly Reasonable Lie
1. Why does Bruno pretend to Gretel that Shmuel is an imaginary friend?
2. Write a letter form Bruno to his grandmother telling her all about Shmuel.
Chapter 15
Something He Shouldn’t Have Done
1. Make a list of all the reasons Bruno gives for disliking Lietenant Kotler.
2. Why has Shmuel been brought to the house?
3. What do Bruno and Shmuel notice when they compare hands?
Chapter 16
The Haircut
1. Why does the family return to Berlin?
2. What does Gretel find in her hair and what are the consequences of what she finds?
Chapter 17
Mother Gets Her Own Way
1. What evidence is there that Bruno’s mother is unhappy?
2. Why does Bruno’s father call Bruno and Gretel to his office?
Chapter 18
Thinking Up the Final Adventure
1. What is each boy looking forward to about the plan?
2. The last sentence of the chapter reads, ‘All in all, it seemed like a very sensible plan and a good way to say goodbye.’ What do you think of the idea?
Chapter 19
What Happened the Next Day
1. Draw what Bruno imagined the camp would be like and what it is really like.
Chapter 20
The Last Chapter
1. What was Mothers, Fathers and Gretels reaction to Bruno’s disappearance?