What are some differences and similarities between Bruno and Shmuel in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas?

One
similarity that should jump out at readers is that both boys are exactly the same age. They
share the same birthday, so that gives them immediate common ground. They also are both males
living in essentially the same location, but that is all very surface level stuff. One
similarity that probes a little deeper is that both Bruno and Shmuel are both lonely characters
that are seeking friendship wherever they can find it. This actually can be used to point out
some stark contrasts between the two characters. Shmuel is lonely because his family and friends
are being systematically separated from each other and either worked to death or killed in one
gruesome fashion or another. Bruno on the other hand is lonely and isolated due to his father's
position in the Nazi hierarchy; however, Bruno's life can hardly be described as bad or even
wanting. Perhaps this is why he is so quick to try and distance himself from Shmuel when they
are caught together. Another striking difference exists...