Synopsis: Set in Berlin, 1942. When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house far far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance. But, Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye.

Review: This book is amazing. Sad and frightening in parts, it is written with great skill. The way John Boyne tells a deeply isturbing story through the eyes and language of a boy innocent of the things going on around him is unusual and clever. A knowledge of aspects of World War 2 is needed because this book is full of inference. As such the book can be read at different levels. Bruno finds himself responding to powerful situations in child-like ways. The counter-positions of cause and response are deeply moving, and often uncomfortable. I have suggested age 11+ for this book only because most primary schools cover World War 2 in Year 6, however Year 6 teachers are advised to assess carefully the suitability of the book for the maturity of their classes before intoducing it, and sensitivity will be needed. Secondary-aged children will get more from it. This is a grown-up book written in nine-year-old language - a skillful technique which strengthens this book no end. Highly recommended.

2006-10-06