Basic overview of the plot: The story was introduced by Bruno, a nine-year-old German boy living in Berlin, Germany, in 943 with his family. Due to their fathers job, their family was forced to move from their delightful home to a new house in an unknown place called Out-With. Knowing Bruno had an adventurous spirit, his parents informed him that there were certain places that were Out Of Bounds At All Times And No Exceptions. Being unable to follow his parents only rule, Brunos curiosity led him into the unknown parts of Out-With.
After exploring the massive forest that was located outside his backyard, he noticed a narrow dirt trail which he followed and soon led him to a large campground. Bruno was in awe, as it was his first time encountering something like that. He followed an electrical fence until he surprisingly saw a young boy sitting on the other side of it. The
shoeless boy was dressed in dirty striped pajamas and a ripped cloth cap. Bruno quickly noticed that the boy was wearing an armband that had a star on it. The unknown boy informed Bruno that his name was Shmuel, and they instantly became friends. Their friendship grew stronger as they exchanged family stories and realized that they even shared the same birthday. As Bruno got ready to return back home, he asked Shmuel why he and an incredible amount of people were on the opposite side of the fence and the reason for them being there. Shortly after, Brunos father invited some guests to their house, a man whose name was the Fury and his date, Eva. His sister Gretel, which he only referred to as the Hopeless Case, had caught feelings for the Fury, as she found him charming and polite. Bruno was disgusted by his sisters behavior towards the soldier and their upcoming romance.