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brookewhelen's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Antisemitism and War
sophietoes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death and Antisemitism
Minor: Physical abuse
fancynancy_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Antisemitism and Forced institutionalization
Minor: War, Child death, Physical abuse, and Genocide
ivegotyourpaperback's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
That said, I did go into this novel knowing of the controversy surrounding it (I recommend reading the 2019 article titled The Problem with ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ written by the Holocaust Survivors’ Friendship Association).
I agree that this book is not the most accurate representation of the victims of the holocaust, but rather a watered down version of events seen through a child’s eyes. Readers should remember that this is a work of fiction, not a textbook and so should not rely on this as their sole source of WW2 information.
I think a persons first reading of this book should be after having learned about the real events that took place, from an educator and/or non-fictional sources. This was my reading experience so I was able to draw on my prior knowledge to recognise the implications made, and visualise what was not being said in the text.
I was quite disappointed to find that there were no historical notes, educational notes, talking points/questions or acknowledgment of the millions of people who were murdered at this time in history, either at the beginning or the end of this novel.
Moderate: Antisemitism, War, and Confinement
Minor: Antisemitism, Confinement, and War
rriverr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Genocide and Antisemitism
aritag's review against another edition
Graphic: Antisemitism, Violence, Genocide, and Death
aniyahchrouch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Antisemitism, Violence, Death, and Racism
may_brie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, War, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Child death, Physical abuse, Murder, Hate crime, Genocide, and Death
stardustdreamer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Child abuse, Antisemitism, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Violence, Slavery, Torture, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, and Genocide
Moderate: War
Minor: Child death
amieco's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Graphic: Antisemitism, Genocide, and Child death
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Deportation