what is Bruno's and Shmuel's Background

Bruno is our nine year old protagonist. He is a German boy who moves with his family from their home in Berlin to" Out-With", where Father has taken a new job.His father is a high ranking military officer.

Shmuel is the boy Bruno meets through the fence at Out-With. He is Jewish and a prisoner who must wear the "striped pajamas" all the other prisoners wear. He shares a birthday with Bruno and they become friends.