The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

by John Boyne

When he closed his eyes, everything around him just felt empty and cold, as if he was in the loneliest place in the world. The middle of nowhere.

She must have thoughts in her head, just like him. She must have things that she missed, friends whom she wanted to see again, just like him.

Just because a man glances up at the sky at night does not make him an astronomer, you know.’

What exactly was the difference? he wondered to himself. And who decided which people wore the striped pajamas and which people wore the uniforms?

‘No one’s ever given me an armband,’ said Bruno. ‘But I never asked to wear one,’ said Shmuel.