Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Gray - Ruta Sepetys HopeSurvivalLoveCourageThese are the words that come to mind when I think of Lina and her family in Between Shades of GrayMany books have been written about the rain of terror that both Hitler and Stalin bestowed upon Europe and the world. It’s a time in the worlds past that we would like to push under a rug and forget about. We’d like to believe that those days are over, that we’d never let something like ‘that’ happen again. I say it’s our duty to read and understand about WWII because it can never happen again.Between Shades of Gray begins with Lina, 15 years old, full of hope and loved by her brother, mother and father. Stalin invades Lithuania and that’s where Lina’s world changes forever…I’ve always wondered how long it would take me to abandon all my social norms when I’ve been denied access to food and water. When survival is limited because my basic needs are not being met and my children are hungry, scared and mistreated. “Have you ever wondered what a human life is worth? That morning, my brother's was worth a pocket watch.” Ms. Sepetys writes the interactions between the prisoners in such a natural way. I believe it’s her personal connection to the people of Lithuania that enable her to write these characters as if they could be your sister, brother, father, mother or friend. Between Shades of Gray is not an easy read. It broke my heart to read about the sacrifice and choices Lina had to make. It’s not all depressing there his hope and love wound into this beautiful story.*if you liked Between Shades of Gray you should check out The Bronze Horseman.