Sepetys, Ruta. 2011. BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY. New York, NY: Philomel Books. ISBN 9780141335889
Plot Summary:
Lina is a fifteen year old Lithuanian girl, safe in her home getting ready for bed. That peace is shattered when Soviet officers burst in, and tear them from the only home she has ever known. Before they are forced to leave, they are allowed only a few moments to grab their belongings. Lina packs a family photo. Her mother, a coat that holds many hidden secrets that are revealed as time passes. The soldiers take them, along with her little brother, and load them onto dirty cattle trains headed across the Arctic Circle to work camps in Siberia. Once in Siberia, they endure long days digging up beets and potatoes as ordered by Stalin, who requires hard work with little food to survive.
Lina’s father was sent to another camp. She risks her life to write and send drawings to him, hoping they reach him to let him know they are still alive. Along the way, Lina sees and experiences unimaginable things, and looses more than she ever thought she would. Will Lina survive and get out of the work camp? If so, who will be standing by her side?
Critical Analysis:
Sepetys has brought the past to life in such a tangible way that readers will connect with the characters and their struggles from the very beginning. The questioning from Lina and her brother will be similar to questions they will be asking themselves as they read. The cruelty of the Soviet soldiers will be shockingly obvious as readers travel through the pages of time with Sepetys. The hope that Lina feels for the future is inspiring after all the struggles and loses she has seen and experienced. As this story is firmly connected to history, students will have memories they will never forget.
Weakness:
Some students will be turned off by the sad nature of this book, but should be encouraged to learn from our past so that history never repeats itself.
Also, title is entirely too similar to a very inappropriate book for young adult readers.
Reviews/Awards:
·
New York Times: “This superlative first novel by Ruta Sepetys
demonstrates the strength of its unembellished language. A hefty emotional punch.”
·
Entertainment
Weekly: “Brave Lina is a heroine young and old
readers can believe in.”
·
Laurie Halse
Anderson
(bestselling author: “Speak”
and “Wintergirls”): “A brilliant story of love and survival.”
·
Booklist: “An important book that deserves the widest
possible readership.”
·
Kirkus: “Sepetys’ flowing prose gently carries
readers through the crushing tragedy of this tale that needs telling.”
·
2012 William
C. Morris Award
·
2012-2013
Texas Lonestar Reading List (Middle School)
·
2012-2013
Texas TAYSHAS Reading List (High School)
Connections:
Age Level: 13 and up
Reading Level: 6.0
Pages: 352
Genre: Historical Fiction
·
Introduce
book with book trailer
· Students
work in groups to do an author study – Focus study on how Sepetys came to write
this historical fiction book, and the process/steps she took to ensure she told
as realistic of a story as she could.
· Locate
and study geographical cities and countries mentioned in story.
·
Study
history elements seen in story.
o WWII
o Stalin’s
exile of people to Siberia during war, and the sad fact that even after the war
was over, prisoners were not released till 15 years later. 20 million people were killed, over 14
million starved to death.
o Political
climate in Lithuania in 1941
· Discuss
author’s purpose for writing.
· Discuss
the author’s use of flashbacks seen throughout book and how they help the
reader connect to its characters.
· Discuss
how Lina used art to try and stay connected with her father.
· Students
write a persuasive essay arguing against the cruel treatment of Lina, her
family, and others using textual evidence to support their argument.
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