The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

I had seen the film before reading the book, but it didn't detract from the poignancy of the story. It is a truly moving one, made more powerful by the simplicity with which it is told. The child-like language; mis-pronunciations and mis-understandings portray the innocence of childhood while a darker, more sinsister narrative plays out in the background. It is definitely worth reading even if you have seen the film!

Liza Sinclair (Holy Trinity School)

Message from Peterborough Power of Reading group

The sequences are really useful to use in class.  The children loved the active learning, the drama and role play linked to Gregory Cool. Jo Sewell Duke of Bedford

I'm so excited to go back to class and use the materials - it's really igniting enthusiasm. Laura Brough Eye Primary

Children have been very insightful about the picture books it's fostering empathy with characters. Nia Talbot  Newark Hill.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

I have never read the book before or seen the film but I had heard from different people that it was very sad. I started reading it the day after Boxing Day and I could not put it down. It was interesting to see the world through Bruno's eyes and to see the friendship he developed with Shmuel. A very sad ending but a well written book.

John Boyne - The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

I really enjoyed (that word seems entirely inappropriate) this book, and it reminded me somewhat of 'Book Thief' and 'Room' in the way it was told by a child, enabling the author to leave the reader thinking of the terrible things which are happening, without actually having to write about them at all. 

I had previously seen the film (a while ago, so I don't remember it well), and I was slightly concerned that I'd be in tears by the end of the book.  This was not the case, as Bruno has no clue about what is happening right up until the end, so, in a way, I felt a lack of emotion - but I liked that.  I think this was also compounded by the fact that nobody realised what had happened right away (it wasn't until a year later!)...not that I'd have had an ounce of sympathy for Bruno's father anyway, even if he had realised. 

Since reading this, I have recommended it to a child in my class, assuming she gets parental consent.  Our topic is WW2 at the moment, and we've watched the Anne Frank BBC production.  The only reason I've recommended it to only one child, is not due to the content of the book (a few of them would be mature enough to deal with that), but because she's the only one who I think would really 'get' what was going on.  Incidentally, this is a book I would have recommended to her had I read it for any reason, not just because we're reading it for PoR! 

Jenna Mills
Deansbrook Junior School

message from Barnet POR

I really enjoyed the Readers' Theatre and involving everybody in the room was great!!!!
Edgware juniors

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

I had already read the book and watched the film, but was very happy to re-read it as it is fantastically written. I think this book is a great way for children to understand more about the Holocaust. Writing from a child's view on the outside of the Concentration Camp offers a different perspective on life in Nazi Germany. Throughout the book Bruno is trying to make sense of the world around him, and particularly the strange goings-on in 'Out-With'. The jealousy that he feels because Schmuel has friends to play with in the camp shows the loneliness he is experiencing. His friendship with Schmuel shows how natural it is for humans to get along, and how crazy the Nazi anti-semetic policies were.

This is a book I would recommend to anyone.

Johnny Worthington (Grove Primary School)

Boy In The Striped Pyjamas

I like the fact that John Boyne did not shy away from the brutality of the subject matter through Bruno's fate at the end of the story. It makes you appreciate the power of the author as Boyne makes the reader care so much about Bruno and by seeing events in relation to a character we are close to, we are then able to comprehend the suffering of others. In this respect, stories based on real life events like this are vital as they help the reader to understand what happened in a way that can't be achieved with impersonal facts. (Or is Boyne criticising what society will tolerate as long as the victims are anonymous?)

I haven't studied this book with children but can see that, in contrast to the naivety of the two boys, the motivations of the other characters offers a lot of potential for exploration.

Kay Spratt
Haymoor Middle School

'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' by John Boyne

I put off reading this book for a while as I had already seen the film and, although I enjoyed it, had found it upsetting.  However, viewed through Bruno's eyes the writing conveys humour, boredom and excitment despite the context. As an adult reader Bruno's blinkered, naive response to the world around him and especially 'Out-with' is hard to believe, but without it the story wouldn't work. 
Overall I would recommend it to anyone, aged over about 11, to challenge your perception of your life and how you view others 'over the fence'.
Debbie 
Thorntree Primary School

message from Barnet

wow, wow, wow, wow

Message from the West of England group

My children really love Skellig, they are really involved in the story, they think Skellig killed Ernie. Leanne Wilding, Fonthill.

With Traction Man we evilled up everything and anything, class doors, book bags and they became the villains in the story. Michelle Motham, Begbrook y2

The Boy in the stripped Pjamas

I have only read to chapter 4 so far but it has got me interested to see who the other children are and are they in a war? 

I'm very interested to keep reading the book.

Lisa Brooks (Hammersmith and Fulham).

'The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas' by John Boyne

Thoroughly enjoyed this book.  I liked the way the story unfolded through the innocent eyes of nine-year old Bruno and was touched by his relationship with Shumnel.  Dare I say it - the ending almost had me in tears!
I am sure that 'The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas' will become a book that will leave an everlasting impression and haunt me in years to come.
Sharon Tobutt (Hammersmith and Fulham Group)

Message from Central E

The Inset activities are very inspiring, gave me lots of ideas. Christine Jackson, Meridian.

I want to go back and try readers theatre, it was fantastic! Tracy Clarke, Beecroft Garden.

The children love my new book corner. Harriet Jackson, Immanuel and St Andrew.

My class enjoyed living the moment of the country dance in Ice Palace, Siraj Islam Manorfield.

Lincoln and year 5 signing in Central A

Hi All
this is sarah from Lincoln, we were aiming to pilot this project with year 6 and year 1, instead it is now running with year3,5 and 6. We have 6 books on the go, as we are a two form entry. The children are 150% on board. In fact they are driving it. The creation of reading dens has become quite competitive , in fact all year groups are trying to out do each other..fairy lights, cushions, harem tents etc.
I was explaining to our year 5 about this Blog, so the year 5 have helped me write it. They have never written a blog either!
They love this book, as you can see below........
Clockwork by Philip Pullman

Year 5 : We read this book in 6 half lessons, just over a week.

Our favourite bits…….

Dion Says: I like the story as it’s about clockwork bodies, Burgomaster is my favourite because he can sometimes be funny.

Chloe says: In the end it says the heart that is given must also be kept, the author kept us guessing what would happen until the end.

Ethan says: There is detective work and mysteries, the clockwork element is great, however I DIDN’T LIKE WHEN Prince Florian was very ill,

Katie says: The ending when Gretl gave her heart away, but actually didn’t, as she had fallen in love with Prince Florian.

Ellie says: Prince Otto gave his heart to Prince Florian to save him, his father died for his son, so great was the fathers love.

Jamie:The boys liked the part where Karl got killed as he was a mean naughty character.

Our not so favourite bits…………..

Flynn: I dislike when Sir Iron soul killed Karl because it made me feel sick talking about the blood.

Ben: I disliked Karl because he was a mean horrible person, he talked about killing lots of people and he altered Prince Florian and disfigured him.

Jozeph: I dislike the part where Prince Florian falls in love with Gretl in the clocktower as I thought it was gross!!!! They didn’t kiss luckily!!!

Elisha: I dislike the ending as I thought it was sloppy and soppy.

Jamie: I dislike Gretl hugging Florian.

The most puzzling bits………..

Adam: There are cliffhangers, we were puzzled when Price Florian turned into a real boy.

Emily Rose: Dr Kalmenius can through the door and I thought it was going to be someone else…………………

Ellie: We didn’t know the phrase the heart that must be given must also be kept. This was explained at the ending.



One word to describe this book…………………..

Romantic, breathtaking, bloody, imaginative, awkward, descriptive, amazing, mystical, loving, magical, mystifying, creative,puzzling, worth reading, informative, weird, out of this world
These comments are from children, some of whom couldnt ghive me a favourite author 4 weeks ago!!!!
Delighted
photos to follow

Message from Central D

We've been learning about Bog Baby, the children have described how their bog baby might look and made bog babies and their imaginary worlds. Vicky, Snaresbrook Primary.

We have read the Magic Finger, children loved it did persuasive writing and we have had debates . Sabrina, Ark Bentworth

We did some interesting extra spin offs with Ice Palace and children loved the book. Simon Finn, Canterbury Road.

Message from Croydon Group

We looked at Odysseus; it linked with our topic on the Greeks, we have done lots of drama, writing in role. I am beggining to see all my children engaging in the reading, especially my less able readers, linked with the drama and Art, they are gaining in enthusiasm and wanting to know what happens next.

All Saints school - Betty Johnson

We had a staff meeting to report back on the launch conference, all of our staff had a chance to look at the books and website. I used Grace and Family in Year 2; it linked with the experience of one of the families in my class and the book really reflected the backgrounds of our children; it enabled us to get some fantastic writing. All the teachers are very enthusiastic about the teaching sequences and books.

Gilbert Scott Primary - Natalie Thorpe

I have started the Floodland teaching sequence with Year 5; it has been nice to take the text slowly and go back and revisit the text. We have tried drama and Art, the children like the pace and range of activities. We are trialling the sequences before rolling out to the rest of the staff. We have also selected 10 boys to take to a local bookshop to choose new books for the school.

Woodside Primary - Mike Robinson

Group C message

Readers Theatre rocks!!!! Haven't tried it before but will be using it next week in my classroom.
Jenny Brough Henry Fawcett School

message from group C

Fab books

Message From Central B

My class have been working with Fly Eagle Fly, we did a reading walk in the playground, read out aloud as the children followed doing the actions in the text, treading carefully down by the river, climbing up a mountainside, climbing through the tall grass, calling out for the calf, hearing the echo. It bought out all their feelings and expanded their thoughts on how the characters felt.

Cobourg School - Laurence

We dramatised the blinding of the cyclops in Odysseus - it really engaged the boys. We used pictures to dramatise the story in a circle and performed parts in the middle of the circle. They then completed storyboards of the writing. I felt really excited about it as the children were so excited, there were no groans, which made me feel happy!

Cobourg School - Anita

Message from Central A

The children are really engaged after only two lessons with The Princess and the White Bear King. I like the varied results each week in sharing assembly there is so much stuff to share. The Head is really behind the project. Erin and Bryoney, Wyborne School.

I was worried about lots of drama but we are into our first week with Ice Palace we have done lots of drama but we have also written a poem, instructions there are lots of writing opportunities. Liza, Holy Trinity.

I have an author of the month the children can take the books out, recommend books on post it notes, they love it and ask who our next author of month will be. Hayley, Cherry Orchard.

How are you getting on with the project so far?

Dear Power of Reading project teachers,

We hope you are enjoying being part of the project and look forward to seeing you all at your first inset session. We are looking forward to hearing about what you have been doing in your reading environments and  how you are getting on with using the teaching sequences.
CLPE team

Share the titles of books you think have worked well in your classroom

We've introduced some books to the Power of Reading lists as the result of course members' recommendations for example Ice Trap! Shackleton's Incredible Expedition (Meredith Hooper & M P Robertson). The teaching sequence has produced some fantastic work over the last year .
 

Welcome to the Power of Reading blog 2012-13

We hope that you'll use the blog to post your opinions about the books you're reading for the book group discussions and to share your views on how books and teaching sequences are working in your classroom.

The CLPE team

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

This book makes you stop and wonder about the fences that divide us. Bruno, in his innocence, did not understand that the fence was there to keep his world separate from the world on the other side. He only understood it as a fence that he needed to cross. In the act of removing his clothes and putting on the striped pyjamas before crossing the fence, he was identifying with the people on the other side. How many of us are prepared to cross over fences - cultural, political and social divides - and walk in the shoes of our fellow men?
Rachel Edmondson

Bog Child

Couldn't remember if we had to blog about this book too or not (I know we are discussing it Friday too in our Inset!) so decided I'd do both haha

So far really enjoying B.C.- gripped me from the beginning and can't put it down.  Although it is hard reading about the hunger strikes