LINC 5

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Vocabulary

Winter 2011

by John Boyne

Ive tried to choose words that I think may be unfamiliar to you. Ive written
a very brief meaning for each word, depending on the way the word is used and
its context. Remember that, in another context, the word may have a different
meaning. Words that I think you should be able to guess from their context are
not included. Usually, Ive used the base or infinitive form when writing definitions
for verbs, and the singular form of nouns. Ive also included some idioms. Well
go over any additional vocabulary and idioms in class.
As we read through the book, I will choose fewer words to define for you
and Ill expect you to try and get the meaning form the context more often.
As this is a Word document, you can hold the cursor over the vocabulary
word, right-click, choose look up and an on-line dictionary will open on the lefthand side of the page, showing you a more detailed meaning of the word. If you
want to see synonyms for the word, choose synonyms. Try this if the meanings
Ive written for you dont make sense.
You can also search any Word document for a particular word: Press the
Control key at the same time as you press the letter F key. Type the word you
want to find, and Word will find it for you, if Ive included it here. Well practice this
in the computer lab.
Vocabulary Chapter 1: Bruno Makes a Discovery
page word
meaning
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discovery
something you find out
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bow (bowed)
to look down
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belongings
things you own; things that belong to you
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wardrobe
a large wooden cupboard for storing clothes
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tone
the way our voices sound when we are talking
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muster
to call up; to gather
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possessions
belongings
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respectfully
treating someone with respect; with politeness
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imitate
to copy; to try to be like someone
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bundle (bundled)
to hold together
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previous
coming before
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naughty
behaving badly (usually refers to children)
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allow (allowed)
to let happen; to permit
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decent
acceptable; good
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manner
way
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chaos
not in order; confusion
2
butler
person who answers the door at rich persons house
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threw her hands in
idiom; to make a gesture of frustration by raising your
the air
arms
2
frustration
feeling upset and unable to change anything
2
march (marching)
to walk in a stiff manner
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fury
moment
apply (applied)
rim(s)
adventure
frown (frowned)
particularly
bother (bothered)
cause (caused)
nod (nodding)
fantastic
typewriters
mucky
a man to watch
entirely
greengrocer
to steer clear of
chef
collect (collected)
smock
tartan
apron

step out (stepped

out)
hesitate (hesitating)
lonely
terribly
equally
favourite
respect (respected)
especially
include (included)
suppose to
(supposed to)
slanted
on tiptoes
frame
enough
seat
matter
settle (settled)
mile
quite
stretch (stretching)

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great anger; rage; a wild force

less than a minute; a very brief time
to put on
the edge of something
a fun trip; an exciting trip
to look unhappy; the opposite of smile
especially; very much; more than usually
to be upset by something
to make something happen
to shake your head to say yes to something
wonderful; great; unbelievable
what we used to use before computers
dirty; not clean
idiom; a man who is expected to do great things
completely; 100%
an old word for someone who sells vegetables and fruits
idiom; to stay away from
a cook
to pick up
a white jacket worn for work
plaid; checkered
something tied around your waist to protect your clothes
when cooking
to leave
to wait; to think before talking or doing something
alone; missing your family
very much (British English)
the same
the thing or person you like the best
to value; to admire;
most importantly
to be part of something
to be expected or allowed to do something
crooked; at an angle; not straight
to make yourself taller by standing on your toes
the edge of a window
unable to listen any more
chair
the issue; the subject
to finish; to be over
1.6 kilometres
rather; nearly
to make longer

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gasp (gasping)
interrupt
(interrupting)
forgive (forgiven)
occasion
strange
stare (staring)
repeat (repeated)
splutter
(spluttering)
biscuit
munch (munched)
actually
swallow
(swallowed)
dangerously
dismissively
that would be
telling
snap (snapping)
serious
complain
(complaining)
recently
danger
prepare
grown-up
enormous
like nothing better
oak
whooshing
often
points
presume
(presumed)
wonder
consideration

to have a hard time breathing

to start talking before the other person is done
to pardon someone or something
this time; a specific time; an event
new and unknown
to look without looking away
to say again
to make a spitting sound while talking
cookie
to chew
really; truly; in fact
to eat; to move food from your mouth to your stomach
riskily; not safely
in a way that shows the conversation is over
idiom; means that I want to keep this information a
secret
to speak in an quick, angry manner
not smiling or funny
to protest
something just happened in the last little while
risk; may be hurt or harmed
to get ready
adult
very big
idiom; the thing you like best
a kind of wood, from an oak tree
the sound of the wind
a lot; to do something many times
the number of scores or goals in a game
to assume; to think something without actually knowing
that its true
to think about
thinking about other peoples feelings

Vocabulary Chapter 2: The New House

page word
meaning
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opposite
completely different; the reverse
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handful
a small number; a small amount
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nooks and crannies idiom; small, unknown places
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barely
rarely; not often; almost not at all
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restriction
rule; something that is not allowed
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stroll (strolling)
chat
rush (rushing)
overspilling
stall
aroma
dizzy
scent
sweetness
definitely
middle of nowhere
frothy
skinny
whisper
prepare
luxury
c ha lk s t h u p t o
decision
the foreseeable
future
burst into tears
content
cheerful
to mean business
(meant business)
spring (springing)
determine
(determined)
decent
exploration
eventually
mutter (muttered)
scatter (scattered)
priority
contain (contained)
lot
full to the brim
silence
overpaid
obvious
creak
slightly
dare (daring)
talking-to
appear (appeared)

to walk slowly
to talk informally
to be in a hurry
over flowing; so much that its falling or spilling
a place where fruits and vegetable are for sale
a smell
to feel as though you will lose your balance
aroma; a smell
smelling of sugar; a fresh smell
for sure; absolutely
idiom; far away from everything; isolated
having foam or bubbles
slim; not fat
to speak very quietly
to get ready
something special that is above what you need
a d d it u p t o e xp e r i e nc e . ( a l o h e c h o , p e c h o )
what you have decided to do; what you are going to do
idiom; used when the time something will end is
unknown
idiom; to start crying suddenly
happy
happy
to be serious; not joking around; to expect that
something will be done right away
to start suddenly; to move suddenly
to decide for sure about something
adequate; acceptable; enough
discovery; searching for something new and interesting
in the end; finally
to grumble; to complain quietly
to spread things around
the most important thing
to contain
stuff; things (British English)
idiom; very full
no sound; no noise; no talking
paid too much money for the work you do
clear; able to be easily seen
a squeaky noise
a little bit
to risk; to be afraid to do something
a scolding; a serious talk about behaviour
to be able to be seen

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uniform
decorations
secure (secured)
unnatural
ignore
relax (relaxed)
commandant
respectable
hilarious
disappoint
(disappointed)

clothing worn by soldiers

something extra on clothing
to hold on; to make tight
not natural; artificial; not real
to not pay attention to; to not notice someone
to be calm; to let go
an officer in the army; in charge of soldiers
deserving of respect
very funny
to be unhappy about something that has happened; to
think that something better should have happened

Vocabulary Chapter 3: The Hopeless Case

page word
meaning
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Trouble from Day
idiom; usually used in a joking way, to suggest that a
One
child has been a problem since the day of their birth
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concern
1. regard; involve; to be part of
(concerned)
2. to care; to worry
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admit
to acknowledge; to say that something is true
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nasty
very bad
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expect (expected)
to think that something is going to happen
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desperate
urgent; needing to do something right away
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collection
having a large number of the same kind of things
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position
to place, to put
(positioned)
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clever
smart
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torture (torturing)
to deliberately cause pain and injury to another person
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monster
a living being that is not human or animal
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sing-song
talking as if you are almost singing; used negatively
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protest
to object; to complain
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a sore point
idiom; something that you are very sensitive about
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constant
always there
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disappointment
unhappy; regret; wishing you could change things
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mistook
to mistakenly think that someone is somebody else
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civilization
a group of people; a society
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various
several different things; assorted
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ignore (ignoring)
to not pay attention to someone or something
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secretly
not telling anyone else
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resign (resigned)
to accept something; to know you cant change
something
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horrible
terrible; awful; very bad
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smarten up
idiom / phrasal verb; to fix up, to make something better
(smartened up)
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Out-With
Brunos mispronunciation of their new home
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consider
(considered)
exasperation
bedspread
thud
hollow
collapse
immediately
terrifying
stare
confuse (confused)
face (facing)
totally
stroll
casually
trousers
whistle
mad
(by) a stroke of luck
arrive (arrived)
ripe
remark
snap (snapped)
pretend
(pretending)
judge
appearance
time and time again
indicate (indicating)
storm out (storming
out)
resemble
(resembled)
check
suddenly
indeed
suggest
(suggested)
clutch (clutching)
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perfectly
hesitantly
elbow (elbowing)

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to think about something carefully

frustration; impatience
a fancy cover for a bed
sound that something heavy makes when dropped
empty
to fall down
right away
frightening; scary; causing terror
to look at someone, usually rudely
to not understand; to not know
to be in front of someone or something
completely
a slow, casual walk
informal; not deliberate
pants
to make a sound through your lips
crazy; insane
idiom; luckily
to get to the place you were going to
idiom; ready; just right
comment
to speak sharply; to speak angrily
to behave as though you dont know something
to form an opinion of someone; to assess
the way someone or something looks or seems to be
idiom; over and over again; repeatedly
to show
to leave a room in an angry way
to look like something
to see; to make sure
very quickly
for sure; really
to give your idea of what to do
to hold onto something tightly
a hairstyle for girls, in which the hair is divided in half and
tied at the ears
done with no mistakes
unsurely; slowly; tentatively
to push someone with your elbow

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reappear
(reappeared)
adjust (adjusted)
exactly

to appear again; to show again; to come back

to get used to
precisely; accurately

Vocabulary Chapter 4: What They Saw Through the Window

page word
meaning
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to begin with
idiom; to start; first; first of all
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relatives
family members
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picnic
a meal eaten outside, usually in a park
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clearing
a part of the forest where there are no trees
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orderly
in order; organized; tidy
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sections
parts
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tend (tended)
to take care of
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castle
a house built of stone, for kings and queens
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a misty moor
an isolated, frightening place
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pavement
sidewalk
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plaque
a sign
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inscription
the words written on the plaque
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distance
how far you are from something
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extending
stretching
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dot (dotted)
to appear at regular spots
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bale (bales)
a bundle
bar be d w i r e b a le s . - s p ir a ls o f w ir e t o p r e ve nt in ma t e t o e s c a p e
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tangle(tangled)
to be mixed up; not orderly
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greenery
plants
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sand-like
something that is like sand
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substance
a material; something
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hut
a small building; not usually well-constructed
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smoke stack
a tall chimney
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express
to say; to communicate
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sensible
logical; correct; makes sense
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survey (surveyed)
to see to look over a big area
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lowly
(adj); low
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subject
someone who lives under the rule or authority of a king
or queen
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modern
new; not old-fashioned
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squeeze (squeezed) to push together
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narrow (narrowed)
to make thin; to close
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countryside
the country; outside of the city
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triumphantly
full of pride at winning
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geography
the study of the Earth and how it is made
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exist (existed)
to be; to live
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holiday
vacation; time away from your usual work or place
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conviction
belief
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suitable
peer (peered)
insist

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argument
shoulder to
shoulder
chain gang

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wheelbarrow
crutches
spade
frown (frowning)
emerge (emerging)
huddle (huddled)
lunge (lunged)
separate
(separated)
applaud
rehearsal
type
determine
(determined)
shiver (shivering)
decidedly
remark
extraordinary
mutter (muttered)

appropriate; correct; right for the purpose

looked
to say something again when someone disagrees with
you
disagreement; fight with words
idiom; to stand beside someone
prisoners used to be chained together as they worked,
to stop them from escaping
a one-wheeled cart for using in the garden
sticks for helping you walk when you are injured
a shovel; a tool used for digging in the garden
to not smile
to come out of (a building)
to be close together in a group of people
to move quickly towards a person in a threatening way
to move two people or things apart
to clap
a practice
a kind of something
to be decided about something
to shake quickly; to have a body tremor; to tremble
definitely; absolutely; for sure
comment
out of the ordinary; unusual; different; strange
to say something very quietly, often to yourself

Vocabulary Chapter 5: Out of Bounds At All Times and No Exceptions

page word
meaning
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only one thing for it idiom; only one thing possible
phrasal verb; to put things in a box
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boxing up
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official
belonging to the government
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realize
to see; to know; to understand
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determination
a firm decision; a strong purpose
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startled
surprised; a little bit frightened
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tone of voice
the way your voice sounds to someone listening
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shrug (shrugged)
gesture of raising your shoulders
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matter (mattered)
to be important; to make a difference
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the fact that
idiom; that
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separate
to divide in tow; to make something into two parts
(separating)
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board (boarded)
to get on a train
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plenty
lots; many
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point (pointed)
furious
perhaps
creak (creaked)
booming
debate (debated)
terrific
commotion
freshly pressed
lacquer (lacquered)
polish (polished)
attention
phrase
discipline
lack (lacked)
efficiency
clear
imagine
immediately
conductor
barbershop quartet
capable
appreciate
(appreciated)
broke into
(laughter)
salute
sharp
disturb (disturbed)
customary
gloomy
hardly
possibility
mahogany
comfortable
massive
solidly
comfort
complement
(complementing)
slobber
(slobbering)
overawe (overawed)
splendour
have the nerve

to aim; to show a way; to indicate

very angry
maybe
to move slowly while making a squeaking noise
loud
to argue, with yourself or someone else
big; large; very great
noise; upset; something loud going on
idiom; newly ironed; no wrinkles in his clothing
to put something shiny on your hair
to make shiny by rubbing
interest; notice
just part of a sentence
order and control; punishment
to not have something
getting things done quickly and well
obvious; easy to see
to think about something that has not yet happened
right away
one who guides musicians
a group of four singers
able to do things
to value; to feel grateful for something
idiom; to start to (laugh)
a military gesture
quick
to interrupt; to upset
the usual way of doing something
shadowing; depressing; not very much light
barely; almost unable to
chance; opportunity
a kind of dark wood
relaxed; pleasant; nice
very large
firmly
state of being relaxed
to do something as you are doing something else
to be wet; to drool
to feel too much awe, a d m ir e d
richness; luxury
idiom; to be strong or brave enough to do something

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bravely
fade (faded)
t o c la mb e r
gentle
sink (sinking)
artificial
bricks and mortar
ergo
distinctly
well up (welling up)
insistent
quite so
tap (tapped)
put your best foot
forward
accept (accepted)
follow orders
gaze
significance
sincere
sensible
float (floating)
entirely
stony-faced
raise (raising)
inexperience
insolent
simply
blink (blinking)
tense (tensed)
slightly
to make a run for it
necessary
distant
unco-operative;
uncooperative
whatsoever
in common
unsatisfied
imitate (imitated)
heil

with courage; boldy

to become lighter or smaller
t o c li mb w it h d i f f ic u lt y.
kind; soft
to go down; to fall
something constructed; something made by people; not
natural
building materials for houses
(Latin); therefore; so
clearly; plainly
phrasal verb; to grow; to start
firm; persistent
very; completely
to hit gently
idiom; to try hard; to do your best
to know that you cant change something
to do what you are told to do
look
importance
to act with truth
wise; making sense
to be on top of something, such as water or air
completely
idiom; not moving your face; having a stiff face
to lift up; to make your voice louder
having no experience; being new at something
rude
just; only
to open and shut your eyes very quickly
to become stiff
a little
idiom; to run away from something; to escape
something that must be done
far away; a long distance away
not working together
at all; whatever
something that people share; to have something alike
unhappy
to copy; to try to be the same as someone
(German) hail; welcome; salute; affirm

Vocabulary Chapter 6: The Overpaid Maid

page word
meaning
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crack (cracked)
peel (peeling)
chip (chipped)
annual
top-up
decorator
spidery
boredom
expression
discard
(discarding)
altogether
signs of life
collect (collecting)
finally
slight
surely
always
entirely
hover (hovered)

to have a break without coming apart

to remove the top layer
to have a small piece missing
something that happens every year
a refill; a fix-up
a person who decorates; who makes houses attractive
like a spider or a spiders web; thin and irregular
the state of being bored; having nothing to do
a look that expresses your feelings
to throw away

totally; completely
signs that she can think for herself
to pick up; to gather
lastly; at last
very small; thin
for sure; certainly
every time
completely; fully; totally
to be close to something without moving much t o s t a y u
p in t he a ir in o n e p la c e .
irritably
with anger; with annoyance; impatiently
allow (allowing)
to permit
touch (touched)
idiom; to have an emotional affect
clench (clenched)
to tighten; to squeeze
persuade
to convince; to change somebodys mind
irritate (irritated)
to make someone upset; to bother someone
t o s a y s t h u nd e r o n e t o wh is p e r
s br e a t h.
enforce (enforced)
to make sure the rules are followed
ashamed
to have feelings of guilt or shame
telling-off
having someone tell you what you did wrong (British
English)
opinion
what you think about something
middle of nowhere
idiom; far from any known place
mention
to say casually
a bit peckish
idiom; a little hungry
wait on (waiting on) idiom; to serve; to give service
iv y
a c l i m b in g p la nt .
dresser
a person who dresses someone else (usually a
performer)
tour (toured)
to travel around, giving concerts or shows
arrange (arranged)
to set up
magnificent
beautiful; wonderful; superb
stitching
hand-sewing

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retire (retired)
pension
offer (offered)

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oblige (obliged)
out of his own
pocket
expense
campaign
loyalty (loyalties)
drift (drifted)
slam (slamming)
reverberate
(reverberated)
recognize
(recognized)
pound (pounding)
engage (engaged)
defensively
suspiciously
tidy (tidying)
glow
apologize
behaviour
situation
in his heart
incredulous
grate (grating)
frenzied
worry
although
half to death
concentrate
suddenly
overwhelming
pace
eager

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to stop working
money you receive after you stop working
to give something to someone, who may or may not
take it
to require
idiom; with his own money
cost; amount of money you have to pay for something
a planned action
act of being faithful to someone or something
to float away from one idea
to shut a door with force so it makes a loud sound
to echo; to back-fire
to know; to see or hear something and know that you
have seen or heard it before
to walk quickly and noisily
to take part in; to hold
in a defensive way; in a way to protect yourself
with suspicion; not trusting
to clean up; to put something back in order
shine
to say that you are sorry for something
the way someone behaves or acts
a state; a condition; a location
idiom; emotionally; deep down; something you feel
unbelieving
to annoy; to irritate
frantic; desperate; anxious
to be concerned about; to be anxious
even if; while
idiom; very much; seriously
think; focus; give attention to
quickly; all of a sudden; in a moment
overpowering; great, irresistible
speed; rate of walking
ready; anxious

Vocabulary Chapter 7: How Mother Took Credit for Something That She
Hadnt Done
page word
meaning
67
prospect
sign
67
on the horizon
idiom; in sight; coming up soon
67
entertain
to keep busy; to amuse
67
dispute
argument; disagreement
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68
68
68
68
68
69
69
69
69
69
69
69
69
69
70
70
70
70
71
71
71
71
71
71
71
71
71
72
73
73
73
73
73
74
75
76
76
76
77

giggle (giggling)
latest
escapade
suffer (suffering)
refer (referring)
trench (trenches)
in the trenches
a fit subject
convince
(convinced)
wander (wandering)
domestic
diversion
hefty
foreign
entertainment
tyre
bale
enthusiasm
atmosphere
confidence
stride (striding)
t o mu s t e r . till (tilled)
downwind
risk
faint (fainting)
exhaustion
surprisingly
appallingly
simper (simpered)
unthinkable
favour
spare
spare tyre (spare
tire)
utterly
harsh
insolently
(something) does
not grow on trees
despite
self-centred

laughing
most recent
adventure; experience
to be hurt; to have great pain
to talk about something in conversation
a deep ditch
idiom; in World War I
idiom; a suitable topic; an appropriate topic
to be certain; to be sure; to know something for sure
to walk without a definite purpose; to roam; to stroll
household; having in a house
something to take your mind off something else; a
distraction
strong; thick; big
outside of your own country
something to be entertained by; a diversion
(English spelling); tire
a large bundle
interest; passion
air; feeling; a sense
a feeling that you can do something
to walk with confidence, to walk with long steps
t o g a t he r .
to plough a field in rows, cultivate
where the wind is blowing towards you
to take a chance
to become unconscious; to pass out
the state of being very tired
unexpectedly
rudely; very bad; causing someone to be upset
to speak in a way that shows you want the other person
to like you; to speak coyly
something that you had not thought of before
to do something good for someone else
extra; not needed
idiom; extra body fat around a persons stomach
completely
cruel; unkind; mean; hard
rudely; without respect
idiom; uncommon; hard to find
although; even though
thinking about yourself all the time

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77
77
77
77
77
77
77
77
78
79
79
79
80
80
80
80
80
80
81
81
82
82
82
82
82
83
83
83
83
83
84
85

dress it up
appropriate
securely
operation
decidedly
trickier
installed
narrowly
rim
woozy
suffer a mischief
panic
first-aid box
dab (dabbed)
wound
t o w inc e
sting (stung)
rapid
succession
villain
death-trap
sigh (sighed)
appreciate
(appreciated)
courtesy
glance (glances)
astronomer
angular
to never lay eyes
on
beard
to get to the bottom
of (something)
practise
plaster
credit

idiom; to make something look better than it is

appropriate; right; correct
tightly
procedure; undertaking; the thing you are doing
absolutely, particularly
harder to get right
to be placed; to be connected; to fit; to be in
by a small amount
the inside edge of the tire
faint
British idiom; to be hurt; to have an accident
to lose control
box containing supplies for simple medical help
to put on a little of something
cut; open injury
to d r a w a w a y fr o m s o me t h in g p a in f u l.
to have a short, sharp pain
very quick
in a row; a series
a bad person
a dangerous thing, likely to kill someone
to take a deep, slow breath
to value; to be thankful for; to be grateful for
manners; politeness
to take a quick look at something
someone who studies the stars and the sky
having lots of angles; sharp
idiom; never to have seen something before
mens facial hair on the chin
to understand; to figure something out; to find out whats
going on
to work as a doctor
(British); band-aid; bandage
recognition; thanks; to say that you have done
something

Vocabulary Chapter 8: Why Grandmother Stormed Out

page word
meaning
86
flat
(British) apartment
87
persuade
to convince; to try to make someone do something
(persuaded)
87
flaw
not perfect; an imperfection
87
suitable
correct; right; appropriate
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87
87
88
88
89
89
90
90
91
91
92
92
93
93
93

dominate
(dominated)
coincide
soak up
recite (reciting)
standstill
congratulate
unimpressed
tolerant
in advance
elevate (elevated)
regret (regretted)
ignore (ignoring)
muffle (muffled)
slurred
patriot

to be in charge; to run things; to control

to happen at the same time
idiom; to enjoy
to memorize a poem or other writing and say it aloud
having no movement
to praise; to applaud; to clap
not impressed; not interested; not excited
patient; not judging
idiom; before; earlier
to raise up
to be sorry
to not pay attention to; not to notice something
the sound of a voice behind a wall or door
hard to hear; words with no pauses
someone who is loyal to a country

Chapter 9: Bruno Remembers That He Used to Enjoy Exploration

page word
meaning
95
quite a while
idiom; period of time; length of time
95
stride (strode)
to walk with long steps
96
hysterically
excitedly; crazily; in a way that is out of control
96
tutor
a teacher who teaches one or two students at a time
German; Mr.
96
Herr
British; a noisy old car
96
boneshaker
97
geography
the study of land; the study of the Earths surface
97
sound (adj)
solid; basic; healthy; sensible; acceptable
97
to his credit
idiom; deserving of praise and respect
98
heritage
the culture and history of your ancestors
98
The Fatherland
Germany
98
sinister
threatening; frightening
99
blindfold
a piece of cloth covering your eyes
99
rummage
to search through things; to look for something in a
(rummaged)
drawer or box
100 stern
serious; frowning
101 circumstances
situation; scenario
101 idiotic
foolish; something only an idiot would do
102 adventurous
full of adventure; exciting
102 squint (squinted)
to partially close your eyes, to help in reading
Chapter 10: The Dot That Became a Speck That Became a Blob That
Became a Boy
page word
meaning
104 to despair
to be worried; to be upset that
105 category
group; kind
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106

Star of David; symbol of the Jewish faith

107

exaggerate
(exaggerating)
to make the most of
scrunch
(scrunched)
cock (cocking)
curiously
weigh up the word
on his tongue
superior
resolution
phrase

to say something that is not quite true; to expand the

truth
idiom; to take advantage of
to twist; to squeeze

108
108
110
111
111
112
113
115

Chapter 11: The Fury

page word
116 arrangements
118 nonetheless
118 presume
119 extravagant
119 ground rules
119
120
120
122
122
122
122
123
123
123
124

enunciating
courtesy
deliberately
t o w r ing . disdain
resolve (resolved)
promptly
flustered
roar (roared)
rooted to the
ground
the best part of
impress
(impressed)

to move to one side

in an interested way; wanting to know more
idiom; to practice saying a new word and see what it
feels like to say it
better than anything or anyone else
a decision; a promise to yourself
to form a sentence; to form a thought

meaning
plans
anyway; however; even so
assume; believe; think
wasteful; excessive
idiom; basic rules; from baseball (the rules of the
ground where the game is played)
pronouncing each speech sound very clearly
politeness; good manners
by choice; on purpose
t o t w is t a nd p r e s s .
disrespect; disregard
to come to a solution; to end
quickly; without waiting
to be a little upset about something ho t , ne r vo u s a n d c
o nfu sed.
to shout or yell very loudly
idiom; unable to move (like a tree is rooted into the
ground)
most of; almost
to be surprised; to be astonished

Chapter 12: Shmuel thinks of an answer to Brunos question

page word
meaning
126 mend (mended)
to repair; to fix
126 wind (wound)
Before batteries, watches had to wound each day so
they would keep time.
126 armband
a piece of cloth worn around the upper arm
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127

(swastika)

127

prefer

128
128

delighted
contradict

130
131
132
132

buffet
amazed
perhaps
shrug (shrugged)

The swastika was the symbol of the Nazi party in

Germany in the 1930s and 40s. It is taboo in most
Western countries.
to choose one thing over another; to like something
better
to be very happy
to say that you disagree with someone; to say the
opposite
a restaurant where you pick up your own food
astonished; very surprised
maybe

Chapter 13: The Bottle of Wine

page word
meaning
135 casual
relaxed; not worried; calm
135 peckish
a little hungry
136 relieve (relieved)
no longer worried about something
137 totally
completely
138 gobble (gobbled)
to eat quickly and greedily; to eat all of something
138 irritably
in an angry way; impatiently
138 deliberately
on purpose; consciously; with thought
to stoo p.
- t o be n d fo r w a r d a nd d o w n.
139 gaze (gazed)
to look at something; to watch; to stare
139 preying on his mind idiom; used when you have been thinking a lot about a
serious issue
139 zoo
a place where wild animals are kept so people can see
them
139 determine
to make a decision
(determined)
140 regret
to be sorry
141 eventually
at the end; after a long time
142 catastrophe
disaster; tragedy
142 to strike
to happen suddenly, without warning
142 torrent
a rush of water
143 attack (attacking)
to do violence to something; to eat aggressively
t o s w ing fr o m s id e t o s id e .
t o s w a y.
t o ma k e lo o k be t t e r .
to set o ff.
143 boring
not interesting
144 scarlet
bright red
145 dismissively
in a way that shows you dont want to talk about
something anymore
146 stutter (stuttered)
to have trouble making sounds while speaking
146 admit
to acknowledge that something is true
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146
146
146
146
146
147
147
147
147
147
148
148
148
148
149
149
149

to owe someone an
explanation
vital
incumbent
revival
tubercular
hesitate (hesitated)
curious
disturbed
traitor
appropriate
anxiously
assure
atmosphere
step in (stepped in)
administer
(administered)
realize (realized)
a ginger

idiom; to have an obligation to explain something

most important; necessary
necessary; an obligation
to give new life to something
having tuberculosis (a disease of the lungs)
to wait for a moment before thinking or speaking
strange
mentally unbalanced
someone who betrays his or her country
unsuitable
in a worried way
to promise; to guarantee
feeling; environment; mood
to come forward; to interrupt
to give; to apply; to put on
to see; to know; to understand
a person with red hair (British English)

Chapter 14: Bruno tells a Perfectly Reasonable Lie

page word
meaning
150 trek
a walk; a hike
151 blink (blinked)
to open and close your eyes quickly
152 put her off her
idiom; to not be doing something as well as you usually
game
do
153 instruments of
things used to hurt other people (words, in this case)
torture
154 dilemma
a problem; a situation in which you have only poor
choices
155 crucial
vital; important; necessary
155 imaginary
something that only exists in your mind
155 worked a treat
British idiom; worked well
t o t w is t t he bo d y a bo u t
156 t o s q u ir m. 157 sarcasm
cutting language; hurtful language that mocks or makes
fun of someone
157 sarcastically
to speak using sarcasm
158 the very height of
idiom; to say and do what very elegant, well-mannered
sophistication
people say and do
158 a barrel of laughs
idiom; very funny
159 gasp (gasped)
to take a breath very quickly and loudly
t o mo ve v io le nt l y in a t e mp e r .
t o f lo u nc e . 160 lose interest (lost
to not be interested in something anymore
interest)
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Chapter 15: Something He Shouldnt Have Done

page word
meaning
161 off and on
idiom; something that starts and stops
161 manage (managed) to be able to do something; to do something with
difficulty
161 tease
to make fun of somebody or something; to give a little
hint without satisfying
161 satisfy
to be fulfilled; to please, to make happy
161 fuss
an activity; a display; in this context, a birthday party
162 will
a document you write that says who gets your money
and possessions after you die
162 to cut someone out idiom; to be threatening
of his will
162 growth spurt
a time when a child grows very quickly in a short time
163 sneer (sneering)
to look at someone in a hostile or angry way
164 swipe (swiped)
to take something quickly; to grab something
165 on our best
idiom; when children are expected to behave well
behaviour
ve r y e x c it e d o r a ng r y.
166
s e e t h in g .
167 medicinal
acting as a medicine
167 sherry
an alcoholic drink
168 root (rooting)
to look around inside something; to search
t o s e a r c h b y t u r n in g t h ing s o ve r .
t o r o o t a bo u t .
- a t yp e o f mi nt .
sage.
169 in despair
hopelessly; depressingly
169 anxious
worried; concerned
170 sentences running
idiom; talking very fast, without pausing at the end of
together quickly
his sentences
170 flat
exactly; precisely; no less and no more
171 tremble
to shake
171 scarcely
barely; hardly; not quite
172 advance
to move towards; often used in a military sense
(advancing)
173 glide (gliding)
to fly smoothly through the air
174 churn (churned)
to turn
174 grimace (grimaced) to make a face, as if you are in pain; to frown
175 black and blue
idiom; bruised
175 sidetrack
idiom; to forget what you were going to say; to be
(sidetracked)
distracted
Chapter 16: The Haircut
page word
177 impressive

meaning
causing an impression; causing admiration and respect

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177

turn in her grave

177

it dawned on him
w r e a t h. transfer
(transferred)
departure
inconsolable

178
178
178
179
180
180
183
183
183
184
185
185

to his credit
considerably
constantly
persist (persisted)
break into
(breaking into)
piercing
misshapen
dwindling
self-confidence

idiom; if something happens after death that would

have upset a person in life, that person is said to have
turned in their grave or turned over in their grave
idiom; he realized
c ir c le o f f lo w e r s , e s p e c ia l l y in a f u ne r a l.
to be asked to move to a different place, usually for
work
leaving; departing
unable to be consoled; unable to be made happy; very
sad
idiom; to add to his good reputation
very much; a lot; greatly
all the time
to keep doing something; to continue doing something
to start doing something suddenly
sharp; shrill; loud
of a funny or strange shape
shrinking; getting smaller
how you feel about yourself

Chapter 17: Mother Gets Her Own Way

page word
meaning
186 eavesdrop
to listen to someone elses conversation
187 senile
no longer mentally sharp; unable to think clearly
188 concentrate
to think in a very serious and focused way
(concentrating)
d ir t y ha n d s .
189 g r u b b y m it t s . 190 explicit
very clear; stated directly
190 exasperated
frustrated; angry
191 dread (dreaded)
to fear; to be anxious
Chapter 18: Thinking up the Final Adventure
page word
meaning
193 smuggle
to steal; to take something without being seen
(smuggled)
193 eagerness
excitement; enthusiasm
194 coincidence
something important that happens by chance, without
being planned
194 odd
strange; weird; unusual
195 the post
British; the mail delivery; the post office
195 cautiously
slowly and carefully
at fu l l s p e e d .complete; direct; utter
195 flat-out
195 rejection
refusal; the act of rejecting
198 brainwave
a sudden idea
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198

198
199
199

hatch
s t u b b le . no one would be
any the wiser
in high spirits
not to mention

to begin to grow; to emerge (as a chick hatches from an

egg)
s ho r t a nd s t if f p ie c e o f s t h w h ic h g r o w s .
idiom; no one would know; no one would find out
idiom; in a very good mood; very happy
idiom; and also (something else); and as well

Chapter 19: What Happened the Next Day

page word
meaning
200 the clock was
idiom; time was passing; it was getting late
ticking
201 threaten
to bully; to indicate that something bad might happen
(threatened)
201 the coast was clear idiom; there is no chance of being seen
201 squelch
to make a sucking sound
(squelched)
202 despatch
to ship; to send; to mail
202 touch and go
idiom; uncertain whether things would work out
202 disguise
clothing that will hide your true identity
202 prospect
the thought; the idea; the hope
203 stubbly
prickly; bristly
203 cake (caked)
coated; covered
205 shift (shifting)
to move; to change
205 appalled
shocked; surprised in a bad way
205 recognized
known; identified
206 filthy
very dirty; extremely dirty
206 unaccustomed
not used to; to experience something new and
unfamiliar
206 urge
a strong desire to do something; a strong need
207 nowadays
these days; in the present time
207 horribly
in a horrible way; terribly; unbearably; very
ho p s c o t c h.
c h i ld r e n s g a me in w h ic h a s t o ne is t hr o w n o nt o a
nu m b e r e d s q u a r e a n d e a c h c h i ld ho p s a nd ju mp s fr
o m o ne t o a no t he r .
209 clue
evidence
211 disturbance
trouble; interruption; commotion
t ig ht a nd na r r o w .
c lin g i n g .
212 pile (piling)
to load; to push; to make a large group of people or
things
212 introduce
to present someone to someone else
212 frustrated
upset; angry; bothered; irritated
212 vanish (vanished)
to disappear
212 out of character
idiom; to behave differently than what people expect of
you; opposite: in character
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213

assume (assumed)

to think; to believe without actually having any evidence

Chapter 20: The Last Chapter

page word
meaning
214 undisturbed
untouched; intact; without being moved
214 half expecting
idiom; to be not surprised if an event happens, but also
not surprised if it doesnt happen
215 form a theory
idiom; to have an idea about something; to think of an
(formed a theory)
explanation for something
215 properly
correctly; adequately; as it should be
215 gap
a space; an opening
215 logically
in a reasonable way; in a common sense way
desolate
adj. giving an impression of bleak and dismal emptiness
civilization
n. an advanced stage or system of human social development
moor n. a tract of open uncultivated upland
surveyed
v. to look carefully and thoroughly at
spade n. a tool with a sharp-edged, rectangular metal blade and a long handle used for digging
commandant n. an officer in charge of a particular force or institution
exploration
n. a travel through (an unfamiliar area) in order to learn about it
ergo adv. therefore
patriot n. a person who vigoriously supports their country and is perpared to defend it
sinister adj. suggestive of evil or harm
lacquer n. the sap of a laquer tree used to varnish wood of other materials
clambered
v. to climb or move in an awkward and laborious way
efficient
adj. working productively with minimum wasted effort or expense
striding
v. walking with long, decisive steps
allegory
an expressive style that uses fictional characters and events to describe some
subject by suggestive resemblances
proverb
a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of
experience that is taken as true by many people
pun
a humorous play on words
foreshadowing the use of hints and clues to suggest what will happen later in a plot
moral the significance of a story or event
prejudice
an opinion or strong feeling formed without careful thought or regard to the facts
Fuhrer Hitler's title as Germany's dictator
Auschwitz
Nazi extermination camp in Poland, the largest center of mass murder during the
Holocaust. Close to a million Jews, Gypsies, Communists, and others were killed there. (p. 800)
anti-semitism prejudice against Jews
exodus a large-scale departure or flight
Nuremburg Laws
Laws that classified a jew as someone having one or more jewish
grandparent
swastika
the official emblem of the Nazi Party and the Third Reich
Gestapo
the secret state police in Nazi Germany
pogroms
Government supported attacks against Jews in Russia
resistance
a secret group organized to overthrow a government or occupation force
death camps camps used under the rule of Hitler in Nazi Germany for the purpose of killing
prisoners immediately.
Warsaw
the capital and largest city of Poland
ghetto formerly the restricted quarter of many European cities in which Jews were required to
live
genocide
systematic killing of a racial or cultural group

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Chapter 1
When nine-year-old Bruno comes home from school one day, he is surprised to find the
maid, Maria, packing up all his belongings. He tries to remember if he has done anything
"particularly naughty" in the past few days that would warrant him being sent away as a
punishment. He asks his mother, "a tall woman with long red hair that she bundle[s]
into a sort of net behind her head," what is going on. He is somewhat relieved to notice
that her things are being packed, too, by Lars the Butler.
Chapter 2
To Bruno's extreme disappointment, everything about the family's new residence is the
exact opposite of the beloved home in Berlin. The new house is the only building
standing in "an empty, desolate place," and it is small, having only three stories instead
of five. All of the bedrooms are crammed together on the top floor, the servants sleep in
the basement, and the ground floor contains a kitchen, a dining room, and an office for
Father, which Bruno assumes is governed by the same stern restrictions as the office
back in Berlin.
Chapter 3
Bruno's sister, Gretel, at age twelve, is three years older than him. He is "a little scared
of her"; from as far back as he can remember, she has made it clear that she is in
charge. Gretel has always been a challenge to her other family members-Bruno thinks of
her as The Hopeless Case, and he has heard his parents refer to her as "Trouble From
Day One."
Chapter 4
Directly below Bruno's window is a small, well-tended garden with pavement
surrounding it and a wooden bench highlighted by a plaque. Further out, however, the
scenery changes drastically, and it is this sight that so astonishes Gretel when she looks
out of the window.
About twenty feet past the garden and the bench is a huge fence topped with bales of
barbed wire extending as far as the eye can see. The ground beyond the fence is barren,
and there are dozens of low huts and large, square buildings with smoke stacks.
Chapter 5
Bruno reflects upon his final morning in Berlin. The house had looked empty, "not like
their real home at all." Father had already left the city a few days earlier, and Bruno
remembers that his mother had been very nervous. With tears in her eyes, she had said
abstractedly:"We should never have let the Fury come to dinner...some people and their
determination to get ahead!"
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Chapter 6
Out of boredom a few days later, Bruno is lying on his bed staring at the ceiling when he
notices the paint above his head is cracked and peeling. This observation only adds to
his unhappiness with his new home. He decides petulantly that he "hate[s] it
all...absolutely everything." At this point, Maria the maid walks in carrying a stack of
laundered clothes. Bruno attempts to strike up a conversation with her, asking her if she
is as dissatisfied with their new living arrangements as he is.
Chapter 7
After several weeks at Out-With, Bruno concludes that he had better find a way to keep
himself occupied or else he will surely lose his mind. One Saturday, when neither
Mother nor Father is at home, he decides to make a swing in a large oak tree a good
distance from the house. For this project, Bruno will need a rope and a tyre. He finds
some rope in the basement of the house, but to secure a tyre he will have to ask
Lieutenant Kotler.
Chapter 8
Bruno misses his paternal grandparents terribly. Grandfather, who is retired from his job
running a restaurant, is seventy-three years old and, in Bruno's estimation, is "just about
the oldest man in the world." Grandmother, in contrast, is sixty-two; to Bruno, she
"never seem[s] old." Grandmother has long, red hair and green eyes because of Irish
blood somewhere in her family. She loves to have parties and is an accomplished singer;
one of her favorite pieces to perform is La Vie en Rose.
Chapter 9
As time passes, Bruno's memories of home start to fade and he begins to adjust to his
life at Out-With. Things remain pretty much the same: Gretel is "less than friendly" to
him as usual and the soldiers go into and out of Father's office for meetings every day.
The servants continue with their jobs, and Lieutenant Kotler still acts as if he owns the
place; when Father is not there, he spends his time flirting with Gretel or "whispering
alone in rooms with Mother."
Chapter 10
Bruno walks along the fence for the better part of an hour. He does not see anyone or
any opening that will allow him to cross over to the other side. Just when he is about to
turn back, he spies a boy sitting in the dirt on the other side of the fence, "minding his
own business, waiting to be discovered." Cautiously, Bruno approaches him and says
hello.
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The boy is smaller than Bruno and wears the same striped pajamas as all the other
people who live beyond the fence. When he hears Bruno's voice, he looks up.
Chapter 11
This chapter goes back to describe an evening in Berlin several months earlier, when the
Fury comes to Bruno's house and everything changes. Father returns home one day in
"a state of great excitement" and announces that the Fury has invited himself to dinner
on Thursday, two days from now, because he has something of great importance to
discuss with Father. Bruno asks, "Who's the Fury?" Father responds by telling him he is
pronouncing the name wrong and proceeds to pronounce it correctly for him.
Chapter 12
Bruno has asked Shmuel why there are so many people on his side of the fence and
what they are doing there; Shmuel reflects upon his past in searching for an answer. He
recalls that before he came there, he had lived with his parents and brother in a small
flat in Cracow. Shmuel's father had been a watchmaker and had given him a beautiful
watch that was taken away by the soldiers.
Shmuel's idyllic life began to unravel when his mother made an armband with a star on
it for each member of the family, and they had to wear it whenever they left the house.
Chapter 13
Every afternoon, after his lessons are finished, Bruno takes the long walk along the
fence and spends time talking to his new friend, Shmuel. One day as he is filling his
pockets with food from the kitchen for his daily excursion, he notices the piles of
vegetables waiting for Pavel to peel and is reminded of a question that has been
bothering him. In confidence, Bruno asks Maria why Pavel told him he was a doctor on
the day he fell from the swing. Maria is startled and at first lies, but she is clearly
troubled.
Chapter 14
Bruno continues to meet Shmuel by the fence in the afternoons. He asks every day if he
can come over to Shmuel's side so they can play together, but Shmuel says:
I don't know why you're so anxious to come across here.... It's not very nice.

Bruno complains the difficulties of his own living conditions and even expresses envy
over the advantages he thinks Shmuel has over him, which shows that he has absolutely
no understanding of what life is like on the other side of the fence.
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Chapter 15
Father's birthday is coming up, and Mother is planning a party for him with Lieutenant
Kotler's help. Repulsed by the soldier's presence, Bruno decides to make a list of all the
reasons why he hates him. The lieutenant never smiles, and Gretel flirts with him
shamelessly. Also, when Father is away, the young soldier is always around the house
with Mother, acting "as if he [is] in charge." Sometimes he is there when Bruno goes to
bed and is back before he gets up again in the morning. One time Bruno saw Lieutenant
Kotler shoot a dog that was barking outside.
Chapter 16
Almost a year has passed since Bruno and his family moved to Out-With. Grandmother
dies, and the family must return to Berlin for her funeral. Bruno had missed his home
acutely when they first had to relocate, but in the intervening time his memories of life
in Berlin have slowly faded, and the two days they spend back home are very sad.
Father is particularly remorseful because he and Grandmother had fought before she
died and never made it up.
Chapter 17
In the weeks after the discovery of lice in the children's hair, Mother's unhappiness with
life at Out-With becomes increasingly noticeable. Bruno understands her situation
perfectly because he remembers how lonely he had been before he had found Shmuel
to talk to. Mother has no one, especially now that Lieutenant Kotler has been
transferred away. One afternoon, Bruno overhears an especially vehement
"conversation" between his mother and father. Mother declares that she "can't stand it
anymore," and although Father argues that they "don't have any choice" because of the
gossip that will spread.
Chapter 18
Shmuel does not show up at their usual meeting place for a few days, and Bruno is
worried that he will have to leave Out-With without saying good-bye. Finally, on the
third day, Shmuel is there again at the fence, but he looks "even more unhappy than
usual."
He tells Bruno that something bad has happened and his father is missing. According to
Shmuel, his father had gone Monday on "work duty with some other men"; inexplicably,
none of them have returned.
Chapter 19
On the day of Bruno and Shmuel's scheduled "great adventure," it rains heavily in the
morning, and Bruno worries that he will not be able to see his friend before leaving for
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Berlin. Fortunately, the weather improves in the afternoon, and Bruno is able to make
his way down the fence to their regular meeting place. When he arrives, Bruno finds
Shmuel waiting for him with an extra pair of striped pajamas "exactly like the one he [is]
wearing."
Bruno tells Shmuel to turn his back then he Bruno strips off his own clothes and dons
the striped pajamas.
Chapter 20
After the incident on the other side of the fence, Bruno is never seen or heard from
again. His parents are frantic when he does not return home that day, and soldiers are
sent out immediately to search "every part of the house and...all the local towns and
villages." Mother, who had been so happy about returning to Berlin, ends up staying at
Out-With for several more months, hoping for news of her son. Eventually, she decides
that he must have made his way back home to Berlin by himself, and she goes to wait
for him there.

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