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Bruno is an 8 year old boy living in Berlin with his family. His father is a high ranking officer in the German army. His mother is caring and supportive. He has an older sister Gretel. He is close to his grandparents.
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Bruno's father is promoted to an important position, the family must relocate to the German countryside.
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Bruno's father in now a commandant. Bruno explores his surroundings, he notices what he thinks is a farm outside his window.
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Bruno meets a servant called 'Pavel', who helps bandage him when he falls off his swing. Bruno wonders why Pavel and all the residents of the 'farm' wear striped pajamas.
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After his mother refuses to allow him to explore outside, Bruno sneaks out while she is away. He make it to the farm fence, and meets a young boy, they end up being exactly the same age. Bruno starts visiting Shmuel regularly.
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Adolf Hitler, the Führer, comes to visit the Bruno's father. Bruno's parents end up having a loud argument about where they live.
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During dinner, Pavel accidentally spills wine on German officer Kotler. Kotler then beats Pavel to death in front of Bruno's family. Bruno goes to bed terrified. Bruno begins to understand that what he though was a farm may actually be something worse.
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Bruno is suprised to find Shmuel cleaning glasses inside his house. Bruno gives Shmuel food, and while he's eating, Lieutenant Kotler catches Shmuel. Bruno denies having any interaction with Shmuel whatsoever.Bruno then leaves Shmuel with the Lieutenant.
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Bruno's parents inform Bruno and his sister that mother will take them back to Berlin, until their father finishes his work at the camp. The family begins packing for a return to Berlin.
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Bruno sneaks to the camp to say goodbye to Shmuel. Shmuel and Bruno alternatively decide that Bruno will sneak into the camp, so he can help Shmuel find his lost father.
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Bruno visits Shmuel at the camp, and feels guilty after seeing that Shmuel has a black eye. He apologizes for lying, and agrees to help Shmuel help find his father, who disappeared in camp.
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Bruno gathers his materials, and rushes to the camp in the morning. When he arrives, Shmuel gives Bruno camp clothing, and Bruno digs under the fence. Bruno and Shmuel are looking for his father when suddenly, it's starts raining. They are ushered into a room with a large metal door, told they are about to take a shower. Bruno And Shmuel hold hands as poisonous gas is pumped into the room.
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Bruno's clothes are found outside the fence, but there is no sign of him anywhere. Bruno's mother returns to Berlin thinking Bruno is at the house, but he is not. His mother and sister are sick with grief.
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Bruno's father retraces Bruno's steps, a year after he has been missing. He finds the loose fencing and small tunnel, and finally understands that Bruno joined the concentration camp. He becomes even harsher in his treatment of the prisoners, until soldiers that liberate the camp come and take him away.
