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The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

John Boyne

Nine-year-old Bruno is unhappy when his family moves from Berlin to a bleak new house during the Second World War. From his window he can see a high fence, and people in striped pyjamas on the other side.

Length
About 47,000 words
To read it
About 32 days
Stage
Key Stage 3

Reading time at 1,500 words a day, the pace we start from until we know your child’s own.

Where it is taught

Why The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is on the list

  • Year 7, Core. The books most schools teach in this year. A good place to start.

Reading it here

What your child does with it

  1. 1

    Choose it and set a finish date

    You get a suggested target from the length of the book and your child's reading pace.

  2. 2

    Check in along the way

    A longer book has short check-ins every week or two, so it keeps moving and nothing is forgotten.

  3. 3

    Answer two questions

    When they finish: a review of the book, and a deeper question about how it works.

  4. 4

    Get it marked, and redraft

    Every answer is marked against the rubric for their year, with a reason for every score.