"The Boy in Striped Pajamas" John Boyne (Major Motion Picture)

The book describes the lives of two boys that are the same age living in drastically different situations. Initially you realize that Shmuel is Jewish and Bruno is German. These two boys are supposed to dislike one another but friendship kindles. The German boy’s father is a Commandant in the Hitler Army he is in control of one the most notorious concentration camps in history. However, young Bruno is not aware of his father’s position. Bruno is a kind hearted young man that does not know why “the others” (himself included) hate the Jews.
He has been taken from his home in Berlin to live on the outskirts of the concentration camp. The name of the book is part of the young boy’s confusion; Bruno believes the Jews are wearing their pajamas. You realize that his mother and grandmother do not agree with the brutality of Jews. His first encounter with Jews was with Pavel who takes care of him after an accident and explains that he use to be a doctor instead of the family waiter. This puzzles Bruno and he asks his mother and she tells him not to ask so many questions. The book explains this in more detail than the movie. The mother in the movie is adamant about leaving but you do not see that in the book until Bruno goes missing.
Bruno becomes friend with Shmuel while he is on an adventure. He is curious about the people behind the fence even though he is not supposed too. He meets his new friend at the edge of the fence, Shmuel is alone and dirty. Bruno believes the camp is a nice place until the end when he discovers the reality of Shmuel’s life. Shumel explains that they are not in Berlin and that he has been separated from his mother and sister. He does not like talking about the camp, he is hungry. Bruno starts sneaking him food and one day Shmuel comes to the house to clean glasses. Bruno betrays him because of his own fears of Lt. Koeler. He feels guilt after seeing the abuse that Shmuel faced at the hands of this wicked man.
The book a long with the movie portrays the innocents of children during the holocaust. Bruno is unaware of the vents that are transpiring around him and Shmuel is living through them. Shmuel is brave and takes on the challenges of his life. The ending in the book is different than that of the movie and I hate to give it away but the boys ultimately face the end together holding hands and remaining friends.
The movie describes the end as Bruno wanting to know what the camp is like and dressing in strip Pj’s to go to the other side. However, while on the other side they are rounded up by the soldiers overseeing the camp and marched to the gas chamber even though neither child is aware of the outcome or what is going on. The book leaves the parents wondering want happened to Bruno, they knew nothing of the friendship however they do find his clothes at the fence and his father speculates and is removed from his position and the mother has returned to Berlin to their home never to forget and suffers the loss her son and believing that her son has just gone missing.
I would recommend this book to anyone along with the movie. It is a perfect example of how the holocaust destroyed so many lives and separated families. It is also demonstrates how beliefs systems were destroyed as well. The book and movie went together well and there were direct quotes from the book too.

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"An American Plague" Tim Murphy Newberry Honor

The book was quite interesting for me considering I have a degree in biology. Reading the situations and methods for containing the disease were quite unique, I have heard of these methods before as well. The interesting aspect was how the president had little power over how to bring Congress together. The disease claimed many lives however it did allow for some acceptance. African-Americans came forward to help with the sick because they were not initially getting the dreaded illness. The book also explains the living conditions and the unsanitary methods of early America. People speculated on how the disease was being spread and were constantly avoiding one another out of fear. Many people fled the city in hopes of escaping the plaque. Many doctors had there own methods for treatment and they could not agree on anything. The yellow epidemic was relentless and when the cause was identified still there was no cure and people were skeptical. The book is well researched and includes illustrations that were relevant of the times. Along with the illustrations that are articles and clippings from the time period. I found the book very informative and enjoyed it immensely. The historical details are excellent and explain the era. The events included in the book make you realize the importance of current medical practices.

Image Reference: http://www.amazon.com/American-Plague-Terrifying-Epidemic-Newbery/dp/0395776082

"Desert Exile" Yoshiko Uchida

Desert Exile was a heart wrenching American tragedy that incorporated historical fact and poetry. The book described life for Japanese-Americans during World War II. The story begins with prejudice and discrimination. Japanese-Americans were initially not accepted into certain neighborhoods even prior to WWII. As a young girl Yoshiko describes how she felt that her life was not affected by the depression as much as others and that she could remember her parent’s kindness to others less fortunate. She was a college student when the uprooting took place and that initially her father was required to leave prior to the rest of the family because of his position. Her parents were not considered citizens of the United States and considered enemies of the country. The reality of the story is that a whole group of Americans were discriminated against because of their heritage. I believe this is a must read for anyone who wants to know more about American history. This story is one that is not told because of the embarrassment that it has caused the United States. I feel that the book portrays life for those that are part of a minority group and the injustice that follows. I enjoy historical book and this is one that has been added to my collection.

Image Reference: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Desert+Exile&x=20&y=20

"Kitten's First Full Moon" Kevin Henkes Caldecott Medal

I would consider Kitten’s First Full Moon to be an Easy to Read book. The illustrations take up a large amount of the print space and there are very few words. The book is easy to follow and the kitten is confused about the full moon. He believes that the moon is milk and throughout the story he is trying to get to the moon. His journey is not pleasant as he can not each his destination. In the end the kitten receives his milk in a round bowl. The color scheme is black and white, this use is effective. It is a good basic building book. I was not overwhelmed by the book, it fairly plain. I read this book on a rainy day and I am not sure if that affected by personal evaluation.

Image Reference:http://www.amazon.com/Kittens-First-Full-Kevin-Henkes/dp/0060588284/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240532723&sr=1-1