The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Most people in today's world know of the atrocities committed during World War II by Adolf Hitler and his crew of nasty Nazis. Hitler ordered genocide on the Jews in Europe, and thousands of people were killed. It was not only the victim families which were affected, but some Germans who suffered as well.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne talks about a German family, in which the father is a Nazi General. Hitler - the Führer - is happy with the father's work, and decides to send him to the Auschwitz concentration camp to oversee the project there.
And so, the general's family is forced to move out of their comfortable house in Berlin to a dusty, old, solitary house near the concentration camp, which was separated by a long, huge fence. Nine-year-old Bruno is especially affected by the move, having to leave his three best friends and come to a place where there was no one his age except for his irritating elder sister.
But one day, Bruno notices some people - boys, fathers, uncles, grandfathers - across the fence, all of whom were wearing the same clothes, that is, striped pajamas. Bruno is surprised to see boys of his age there...how come they never came over to his side of the fence to play with him?
Bruno asks his sister a few questions, who immediately says that they were Jews, who were bad, and that Germans didn't like them. Bruno wonders why, for they seemed to be just like others. His sister, however, was horrified when he voiced his opinion, and he decides to shut up and keep his ideas to himself.
Bruno goes exploring, and one day finds a small gap in the fence. Later when he comes back, he sees a boy sitting across the fence near the gap. The two begin to talk, and find that they were born on the same day and are both nine years old. Over time, they bond and Bruno is finally happy to be living here. The book ends when Bruno decides to go under the fence and explore the boy's world dressed up in striped pajamas, and he sees the world there. He is shocked to see them living in such dire, extreme, dirty conditions. To avoid spoiling the ending, all I will say is that at the end of the book you are left with such...regret, such deep thoughts.
The book shows you a child's point of view of the second world war, and all that happened in Nazi Germany. There is never any actual mention of killing, gas chambers, Nazis, Jews, death, war...nothing of that sort at all. The nine-year-old little boy is oblivious of all that is happening around him. Really, all he cares is that they moved to a weird old house and left his school and friends behind, then he had no one to play with, and then suddenly he did.
The book makes you think about how the world was at that time for children, and especially Nazi family children, since Bruno's father is a Nazi General. The book makes you realize that though we all know about the war and all the horrible things that happened, no one really knows how it was to live in such times as a child; a child who just wanted his life to be normal and have fun with his friends...a child who, being completely innocent and pure, could not understand why Jews were classified as 'bad'.
In simpler words, the book gives you a different outlook on the same old thing which most of us have read about and studied about in school. It shows you a different view, and it's startling how accurately the author, John Boyne, has depicted the child's feelings. It's a must read for all those who enjoy a little historical book every now and then...especially since you don't have to mug it up for an exam. :)

The Real Anne Frank

It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen - John Wooden.

I think everyone who’s reading this has heard of Annelies Marie Frank - probably the most famous Holocaust victim of all times.
And for those of you who have not - she was a young girl who lost her life, simply because she was a Jew, as many others in Hitler’s regime did.
What was it that made Anne Frank’s name so commonly known throughout the world? What was it that makes her name pop into our minds immediately upon hearing the term ‘Nazism’ or ‘Holocaust’?
It was her simplicity.
If you read her diary (The Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank) you know at once, that Anne was completely normal. She was no different from you and me.
Her thoughts were not those of a philosopher - just of a child who was put in a very confusing and terrible situation. Yet she was not a child. She was more mature and conscious of the world than any child of her age would have been (having to hide from society for years does that to a person, you know!)
She went about her daily activities with cheerfulness. Even though she was in turmoil inside, her exterior remained clam and composed. Her vibrance and energy displayed that she believed in a happier life for herself. She believed that she would be alive and free one day. She wanted to fly out into the world, her wings unfurled and the winds carrying her to a greater destiny.
Her positiveness and hopeful outlook to the world is radiated through her thoughts. She believed, even at the time of her death, that the world was a good place to live in and that men were humane (pun intended!)
And now tell me - What are the odds? What are the odds that this girl’s diary would be found years after her death? That her name would be put down in history forever?
Despite being one of millions of people killed in the Holocaust, she stands representative for all the victims of the Nazi cult. She wasn’t a great freedom fighter (I’m using that term loosely here). No, she wasn’t. She wasn’t a Jew leader who saved hundreds of lives. No, she wasn’t.
She was merely a little girl who, through her personal diaries, taught the world something important. She taught us that when all else is destroyed, the future still remains.
And that - that tiny iota of hope she had in humanity despite being at it’s cruel end - taught the world a vital lesson.
Little things make big things happen. Little thoughts lead to bigger thoughts. Little ideas can change the world. Little actions can set off a chain of life-changing events. And why, little things like these could make or break an empire!