Children's & Young Adult literature has a typical response from non-readers of the genre as being literature that is cute and fluffy. Though the genre does include cute and fluffy characters at times, the dynamic of Children's & Young Adult literature is, that while writing, authors use youth to discuss complex and difficult concepts adults feel children can't fathom.
Recently, having seen previews for yet another movie based off a young adult book, I borrowed "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne from my neighbor. Enjoying to read books before seeing them placed to film, I opened the cover one relaxing day and spent my time reading chapters in between cooking and contemplating the story.
To begin a small review, I must say I was impressed with how Boyne told such a poignant story through the eyes of a nine year old boy, Bruno. To write a book on the Holocaust is daunting to say the least, but then to place it in the terms of youth...well, I still can't fathom it. Boyne's writing style and use of simple sentence structure creates a result that is far from simple. The author's idea to have Bruno continually miss-pronounce historic WWII sites and military groups was unique and emphasised the main characters "naivete" for lack of a better word.
Though a quick read, it is one that should be taken in stride to understand the complexity mingled within the ease of reading. Take a moment to remember your own youth, being a nine year old running for recess, making friends on the playground, and the only worry was who would be on your dodge-ball team that day. And then imagine moving to a location where, not only do you not know your home, there is no one but yourself to play with. How many secrets would you hold? Would you want to share the treasures you found with your family? Or, like Bruno, would you hold them dear to your heart not wanting to let them go?
"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" could be considered a book for the age range of 8-12, but I feel this book belongs with an older crowd, if only due to the ending, which is my main criticism to the book-- it was expected. Through the whole day of reading I knew what was going to take place, I just wished it wouldn't. Because of my insight to the ending, the book didn't full-fill the emotion, compassion, and acknowledgment of the atrocities that occurred during the Holocaust. On the one hand, I feel it would be too sudden and dark for youth, on the other--I have always respected the fact that Children's and Young Adult literature typically provides youth with information adults, for someone reason, forget children can handle. But I define a good children's book as one that can be read and enjoyed in youth and then when read as an adult the book contains new insights and complexities to enjoy, ponder, and revisit for years to come. "The Boy in Striped Pajamas," unfortunately, didn't accomplish this for me. I believe it will only be read once in my life. That being said, I question if I could watch the movie. Having not decided yet if I will or not, I believe the movie may be able to show more of what I hoped the book would contain. I needed more of the two boys young lives to feel the emotion at the end of the book. I wanted to know what treasures Bruno hid at the back of his closet that was "nobodies business but his own." I wanted to know more stories of Shmuel's father. I wanted to understand why these two boys connected with each other.
But most of the time, we as readers have to make that up ourselves. And I fear that these two boys stories may be lost to me, while others are not. But I am just one reader, you get to make up your own mind. I would suggest picking this book up to read, though below is a list of similar books that remain in my heart, my memory, and my thoughts daily--to name just a few.
Books to read regarding the Holocaust:
"Number the Stars" by Louis Lowry
"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak
"Night" by Elie Wiesel
"In My Hands" by Irene Gut Opdyke
