Chapter One: Bruno Makes a Discovery
The setting first takes place in Berlin, Germany (1940). Bruno comes home to find the maid, Maria, packing his belongings. His mother says that their family—including him, his sister (Gretel), his mother, and father—are moving for his dad's job. Bruno doesn't know what his dad does, but he knows it's something important, and that he wears an interesting uniform. Bruno proceeds to go to his room (begrudgingly) and his mom goes to his father's office, which is discovered is not a place for children to enter. Bruno's parents argue, presumably about the move. The door closes and Bruno goes upstairs to help Maria pack.
Chapter Two: The New House
Bruno sees the new house and he is not impressed—it's only three stories high (as opposed to in Berlin where his house is five stories high) and there are no other families or boys around to play with. While his mother puts away some glasses, Bruno tries to convince her to move back to Berlin. She snaps and says that they'll be here for the "foreseeable future". Bruno helps Maria unpack his stuff and asks what she thinks of the move, but she doesn't want to answer.
All of a sudden, a blond soldier appears and steps into the room. He stares at Bruno, then nods and leaves. The soldier gave a look as if he had never seen children before. Bruno notices a window in the ceiling and looks through it; the chapter ends with a description of what he feels: "[…] very cold and unsafe"
All of a sudden, a blond soldier appears and steps into the room. He stares at Bruno, then nods and leaves. The soldier gave a look as if he had never seen children before. Bruno notices a window in the ceiling and looks through it; the chapter ends with a description of what he feels: "[…] very cold and unsafe"
Chapter Three: The Hopeless Case
Bruno thinks they should have left Gretel—whom he lovingly refers to as the Hopeless Case—in Berlin to watch the house. Despite this, though, he goes to her room and they talk about their gross new place, which Gretel calls "Out-With" (Auschwitz). According to Gretel, the name means "out with" the people who lived in the house before. Bruno tells Gretel that the other children don't look friendly. Gretel has no idea what Bruno is referring to as she has not yet seen any children around and demands to know what he is talking about. He takes her to his room and she looks out his window.
Chapter Four: What They Saw Through The Window
When Gretel peers through Bruno's window she sees boys, fathers, grandfathers, and uncles. Gretel thinks they're on a farm, but Bruno disagrees because there are no animals or crops. Gretel admits he's right, and they stand side by side and stare out the window. When a group of children come out of a hut and are surrounded by shouting soldiers, Gretel thinks it's a rehearsal. Gretel leaves to arrange her dolls, but Bruno stays and notices that all the people are wearing grey striped pajamas.
(Bruno and Gretel are officially growing up next to a concentration camp—though neither of them know it.)
(Bruno and Gretel are officially growing up next to a concentration camp—though neither of them know it.)
Chapter Five: Out Of Bounds At All Times And No Exceptions
Bruno's fed up, which means it's time to talk to his father.
Flashback: An official car with red-and-black flags takes Bruno, his mother, and Gretel to the train station; his mother says they shouldn't have let the Fury (a.k.a. the Fuhrer, a.k.a. Hitler) come for dinner. Bruno sees large groups of people (make that Jewish people) on the other side of the tracks.
Back in the present, Bruno has a heart to heart with his dad and tells him he doesn't like the new home. His dad doesn't really care, and tells him to accept the change and follow orders. Before Bruno leaves the office he asks about the people on the other side of the fence. His father's response was that they're not people. Bruno leaves the room, and parts with "Heil Hitler."
Flashback: An official car with red-and-black flags takes Bruno, his mother, and Gretel to the train station; his mother says they shouldn't have let the Fury (a.k.a. the Fuhrer, a.k.a. Hitler) come for dinner. Bruno sees large groups of people (make that Jewish people) on the other side of the tracks.
Back in the present, Bruno has a heart to heart with his dad and tells him he doesn't like the new home. His dad doesn't really care, and tells him to accept the change and follow orders. Before Bruno leaves the office he asks about the people on the other side of the fence. His father's response was that they're not people. Bruno leaves the room, and parts with "Heil Hitler."
Chapter Six: The Overpaid Maid
Bruno and Maria discuss living in Auschwitz; she says his father knows what's best for the family. Maria discloses that Bruno's father paid for Maria's mother's medical bills and funeral costs. Suddenly, there's a gunshot— actually, it's just Gretel slamming the door. She tells Maria to run her a bath and Bruno tells Gretel she should do it herself. Gretel leaves and Maria follows her, but not before telling Bruno to keep his feelings to himself or he might get everyone in trouble. Bruno gets angry and storms outside, but once there, there's nowhere for him to go.
Chapter Seven: How Mother Took Credit for Something That She Hadn't Done
Several weeks pass and Bruno realizes he needs to entertain himself or he'll go crazy, so he decides to make a tire swing and heads outside to find an adult to help him. Unfortunately, the only one around is Lieutenant Kotler (the blond soldier).
Kotler calls Pavel (the Jewish potato peeler) and orders him to get a tire from the storage shed; Pavel drags the tire to the oak tree and helps Bruno set it up. Bruno swings too high and falls off, hitting his head and cutting his leg open. Pavel comes immediately and carries Bruno to the kitchen and cleans and bandages his wound. Bruno worries that he'll have to go to the hospital, but Pavel assures him he won't and reveals that he's a doctor himself. Bruno doesn't believe him, though—this guy is a potato peeler, and potato peelers are not doctors. Bruno's mom comes into the kitchen and tells him to leave; he overhears her telling Pavel not to tell the Commandant that he cleaned Bruno's wounds.
Kotler calls Pavel (the Jewish potato peeler) and orders him to get a tire from the storage shed; Pavel drags the tire to the oak tree and helps Bruno set it up. Bruno swings too high and falls off, hitting his head and cutting his leg open. Pavel comes immediately and carries Bruno to the kitchen and cleans and bandages his wound. Bruno worries that he'll have to go to the hospital, but Pavel assures him he won't and reveals that he's a doctor himself. Bruno doesn't believe him, though—this guy is a potato peeler, and potato peelers are not doctors. Bruno's mom comes into the kitchen and tells him to leave; he overhears her telling Pavel not to tell the Commandant that he cleaned Bruno's wounds.
Chapter Eight: Why Grandmother Stormed Out
This chapter starts with a flashback to Bruno's family Christmas the year before. Everyone congratulates Bruno's father on his new uniform and new position, except for his grandmother—she's ashamed of what he does, and storms out of the house, but not before letting her son know that seeing him in uniform makes her want to tear her eyes out.
The chapter concludes back in the present time. Bruno writes grandma a letter about how unhappy he is and everything he's seen on the other side of the fence. Based on her performance last Christmas, we can assume that Bruno's Grandmother would agree with Bruno that living at Out-With is not a good idea.
The chapter concludes back in the present time. Bruno writes grandma a letter about how unhappy he is and everything he's seen on the other side of the fence. Based on her performance last Christmas, we can assume that Bruno's Grandmother would agree with Bruno that living at Out-With is not a good idea.
Chapter Nine: Bruno Remembers That He Used to Enjoy Exploration
Bruno's father decides that Bruno and Gretel will have a tutor whose name is Herr Liszt.
Liszt likes history and geography, but not reading and art, which are Bruno's favorites. He tells Bruno he'll learn all about the wrongs that have been done to him, a.k.a. the wrongs Jewish people have supposedly committed against Germans.
One day, Bruno goes outside and reads the plaque on the bench near the garden: "Presented on the occasion of the opening of Auschwitz Camp, June nineteen forty". Bruno continues walking toward the fence even though he's forbidden to do so.
Liszt likes history and geography, but not reading and art, which are Bruno's favorites. He tells Bruno he'll learn all about the wrongs that have been done to him, a.k.a. the wrongs Jewish people have supposedly committed against Germans.
One day, Bruno goes outside and reads the plaque on the bench near the garden: "Presented on the occasion of the opening of Auschwitz Camp, June nineteen forty". Bruno continues walking toward the fence even though he's forbidden to do so.
Chapter Ten: The Dot That Became a Speck That Became a Blob That Became a Figure That Became a Boy
Bruno sees a boy on other side of the fence. He's sitting cross-legged on the ground, has grey looking skin, and wears striped pajamas and a Star of David arm patch.
We learn that the boy's name is Shmuel and he has the same birthday as Bruno—April 15, 1934; he also tells Bruno he's from Poland.
Bruno doesn't know where Poland is, though and Shmuel informs him that they're in Poland.
We learn that the boy's name is Shmuel and he has the same birthday as Bruno—April 15, 1934; he also tells Bruno he's from Poland.
Bruno doesn't know where Poland is, though and Shmuel informs him that they're in Poland.
Chapter Eleven: The Fury
The chapter begins with a flashback to a few months earlier. Bruno's father has a new uniform and title (Commandant) and announces that the Fury and his girlfriend are coming to dinner. Panic and mayhem ensue, but all is ready for Hitler in the nick of time. The tiny man with the tiny mustache and his beautiful girlfriend chat briefly with the children, and then the adults dine alone. Afterward, Bruno overhears his parents talk about moving to Auschwitz—his mom's not too happy about this upcoming change.
Chapter Twelve: Shmuel Thinks of an Answer to Bruno's Question
Bruno once more returns to the fence where Shmuel is. Shmuel explains that he used to live with his parents and brother in a flat above a watch store, and that he had a beautiful watch from his dad but the soldiers took it. Shumel also explains that one day they were forced to move to a different part of Cracow, and then the soldiers packed them into trains headed for Auschwitz. His mother was taken away. Bruno decides against telling his family about Shmuel.
Chapter Thirteen: The Bottle of Wine
These days, life's good for Bruno thanks to his daily talks with Shmuel. One day, Maria comes into the kitchen and Bruno asks her if it's true that Pavel is a doctor. She says he used to be, and that she'll tell Bruno about Pavel's life—but whatever information she shares with him, is never shared with the reader.
That evening at dinner, Pavel serves the family and Kotler. Bruno says he doesn't like history, and Kotler says he liked it when he was a boy, even though his father was a literature professor. Kotler doesn't know what his father's doing now, though, because he left Germany in 1938. Bruno's father asks whether Kotler's informed his superiors of his father's actions, and Kotler gets anxious and agitated. Pavel comes over to refill their glasses and accidentally spills wine on Kotler's lap. Kotler does something nasty to Pavel—and while we don't know what exactly, we do know that it makes Bruno cry.
That evening at dinner, Pavel serves the family and Kotler. Bruno says he doesn't like history, and Kotler says he liked it when he was a boy, even though his father was a literature professor. Kotler doesn't know what his father's doing now, though, because he left Germany in 1938. Bruno's father asks whether Kotler's informed his superiors of his father's actions, and Kotler gets anxious and agitated. Pavel comes over to refill their glasses and accidentally spills wine on Kotler's lap. Kotler does something nasty to Pavel—and while we don't know what exactly, we do know that it makes Bruno cry.
Chapter Fourteen: Bruno Tells a Perfectly Reasonable Lie
One day Shmuel has a black eye and Bruno assumes it is from a bully. The reader infers that the black eye is from the Nazis. Bruno asks why they all wear striped pajamas, and Shmuel says that it's because their clothes were taken by the soldiers. One rainy afternoon, Bruno accidentally reveals the truth about his friend Shmuel to Gretel. He quickly takes it back, though, saying Shmuel's just an imaginary friend.
Chapter Fifteen: Something He Shouldn't Have Done
The rain continues for weeks, and Bruno notices that Shmuel's getting thinner and thinner. It's birthday time for Bruno's father and his mom arranges a party for him and the officers. On the big day, Bruno's sent to the kitchen and Shmuel is at the table (in Bruno's house and on his side of the fence). Shmuel tells him Kotler brought him to the house to polish glasses for the party. Bruno takes chicken out of the fridge and offers some to his friend. Shmuel doesn't want to get in trouble, but Bruno puts the chicken in his hand. Shmuel eats it and—of course—Kotler comes in and starts yelling at him. Scared stiff, Shmuel says Bruno gave him the food and that they're friends—but instead of backing Shmuel, Bruno says he doesn't know the boy at all.
Later, Bruno apologizes for what he did and Shmuel forgives him. He lifts up the fence and reaches his hand out; the boys shake hands. This is the first time they touch.
Later, Bruno apologizes for what he did and Shmuel forgives him. He lifts up the fence and reaches his hand out; the boys shake hands. This is the first time they touch.
Chapter Sixteen: The Haircut
Almost a year has passed since Bruno and his family left Berlin, and when his grandmother dies, they go back for the funeral. Father is sad, as the last time he spoke with his mother (grandmother to Bruno) they fought.
Back in Auschwitz, Bruno asks Gretel why the fence is there and she says it's to keep the Jews separate. Bruno asks if they're Jews and Gretel says no, they're the opposite of Jews. Before Bruno can get more answers, though, Gretel screams—there are lice in her hair and in Bruno's. After his father shaves his head, Bruno's surprised by how much he looks like Shmuel.
Back in Auschwitz, Bruno asks Gretel why the fence is there and she says it's to keep the Jews separate. Bruno asks if they're Jews and Gretel says no, they're the opposite of Jews. Before Bruno can get more answers, though, Gretel screams—there are lice in her hair and in Bruno's. After his father shaves his head, Bruno's surprised by how much he looks like Shmuel.
Chapter Seventeen: Mother Gets Her Own Way
Bruno's mother wants to return to Berlin, but his father is worried that people will question his commitment. For a few weeks nothing changes: Bruno hangs out with Shmuel, Gretel studies her maps, and his mother takes a lot of naps and drinks lots of sherry. But then their father asks the kids if they want to go back to Berlin; Gretel says yes and Bruno says he just wants them to be together. Father knows best (again) and decides that they'll go back Berlin within the week (Mother, Gretel and Bruno - while Father stays behind to complete his work).
Bruno is not excited, though, and dreads giving Shmuel the news.
Bruno is not excited, though, and dreads giving Shmuel the news.
Chapter Eighteen: Thinking Up the Final Adventure
When Bruno finds his friend, Shmuel's extremely sad because he can't find his father. Bruno tells Shmuel he wishes they could play together one time before he left.
The boys devise a plan to have Bruno dress up in pajamas and help Shmuel look for his father the next day.
The boys devise a plan to have Bruno dress up in pajamas and help Shmuel look for his father the next day.
Chapter Nineteen: What Happened the Next Day
Bruno goes out for his last visit with Shmuel; Shmuel lifts up the fence and hands Bruno the pajamas and cap.They walk toward camp and Bruno is surprised that nothing is what he thought it was—everyone is sad and skinny, plus there are soldiers everywhere. They search for Shmuel's father without luck, and just when Bruno's about to leave, a group of soldiers surround them. They march with a large crowd and are led to a long, warm, airtight room (it's a gas chamber, though the boys don't seem to know it). Bruno takes Shmuel's hand and tells him he's his best friend. The door closes and the room goes very dark. We can only assume that everyone is killed.
Chapter Twenty: The Last Chapter
Several days later, the soldiers search the house, local towns, and villages for the disappeared Bruno. All they can find, though, are his clothes. Bruno's mother stays in the house waiting for news, but then goes back to Berlin, thinking he'll be there. He's not. Gretel goes with her, while their father stays at Auschwitz for another year. One day he forms a theory and retraces Bruno's steps—as he sits almost exactly where Bruno used to sit by the fence, he understands what happened.
"Other soldiers" (aka The Allies) come to Auschwitz and order Bruno's father to go with them.
"Other soldiers" (aka The Allies) come to Auschwitz and order Bruno's father to go with them.