Between shades of gray by ruta sepetys, 97801435889, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Between shades of gray reading after midnight reading. Ruta sepetyss between shades of gray is now the film ashes in the snow. In 1940, josef stalin, the leader of the soviet union, annexed lithuania to make it part of the soviet union. Between shades of gray by ruta sepetys is a deeply moving, compelling, heartwrenching, and a powerful read which is beautifully written that captured my heart from the very first chapter. It is significant in that it establishes one of the major themes of the book identityand how who we are is defined by our actions and. In 1941, fifteenyearold lina is preparing for art school, first dates, and all that summer has to offer. The washington post from new york times and international bestseller and carnegie medal winner ruta sepetys. The guide can be used as a comprehensive tool to teach the book within the context of a language andor history class for. Between shades of gray is the book that might make more open to reading historical fiction.
Between shades of gray themes from litcharts the creators. Between shades of gray brevard county library overdrive. Between shades of gray is a riveting novel that steals your breath, captures your heart, and reveals the miraculous nature of the human spirit. One thing i didnt like about the book was, that lots of people died. Critically acclaimed, international and new york times bestseller. The inspiration for the major motion picture ashes in the snow. Between shades of gray, a new york times best seller, is the debut novel of american novelist ruta sepetys. Between shades of gray isnt the type of book id normally read, but im extremely glad that i decided to read it. It follows the stalinist repressions of the mid20th century and follows the life of lina as she is deported from her native lithuania with her mother and younger brother, and the journey they take to a labor camp in siberia. Other works related to between shades of gray include young men and women coming of age during the genocides of world war ii. Between shades of gray important quotes supersummary. Created by maeva, the spanish publisher for between shades of gray, in this guide you will find ties to the curriculum for language arts concentrations as well as history and social sciences.
In my opinion, this wouldnt be the book for younger children, because it has a some abusing in it. Apr 07, 2011 between shades of gray is a story about family, suffering, survival, hope, evil, and friendship. Between shades of gray discussion questions between. I have become obsessed with her books and her outstanding level of writing. Between shades of gray by ruta sepetys, is one of the most famous historical fiction books ever written. Film right have been secured for between shades of gray, the 2011 bestselling ya novel by ruta sepetys. And now will has to go live with his uncle jed, who refused to fight for the confederate. The washington postfrom new york times and international bestseller and carnegie medal winner ruta sepetys, author of salt to the sea. Between shades of gray bsog by ruta sepetys number the stars by lois lowry for struggling readers never fall down by patricia mccormick, night by elie wiesel, or salt to the sea by ruta sepetys for any readers who want to read more 5. Nov 12, 2012 between shades of gray discussion 308 views. Mar 28, 2011 between shades of gray by ruta sepetys thanks in part to the large body of wellwritten, honest accounts both fictional and nonfictional about the holocaust, americans now grow up both knowing of, and being rightly horrified by, the atrocities committed by the nazis during world war ii. Between shades of gray is a brilliant title for this well that was another enlightening, emotional, and an absolutely awesome 5 read. I doubt fourth and third graders would be able to decipher some of the words in the book.
The first reason is, the kids found there dad on a train that was going to siberia. Lina is just like any other fifteenyearold lithuanian girl in 1941. Richard peck, newbery awardwinning author of a year down yonder between shades of gray is a story of astonishing force. Its june 14, 1941 in lithuania and the soviets are purging this newly invaded country of all rebels. Linas father has already been arrested and now in the night fists pound on the door and quiet, gentle mother. Features 81 chapter summaries and 6 sections of expert analysis. Between shades of gray is the story of a young teenager, lina. While this book was hard to read, lina is an incredibly strong, likeable heroine and her mother, elena, was the voice of optimism, hope, and kindness. Between shades of gray 2011 read online free books.
I feel grateful for a writer like ruta sepetys who bravely tells the hard story of what happens to the innocent when world leaders and their minions choose hate and oppression. Most famously, the diary of anne frank is the published diary of a german jewish girl living in hiding in amsterdam with her family during the nazi occupation of the netherlands. It follows the stalinist repressions of the mid20th century and follows the life of lina as she is deported from her native lithuania with her mother and younger brother, and the journey they take. Would you be willing to offer your opinions based on reading the book. The washington post from new york times and international bestseller and carnegie medal winner ruta sepetys, author of salt to the sea, comes a story of loss and of fear and ultimately, of survival. Fifteenyearold lina, her mother, and her younger brother are dragged from their home and packed into a train car in the opening pages of this harrowing novel that begins in lithuania on june 14, 1941. This response to unfairness intensified my view of mankind. Booksource is the premier trade book distributor to k12 school classrooms across the country. Minor characters are memorably and vividly drawn, and the first half of the book, in particular, roars along.
Mar 22, 2011 the building, readers learn later, is the islam peace center, where jesse must do her community service for her crime. Fifteenyearold lina, her mother, and her younger brother are dragged from their. The question and answer section for between shades of gray is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. While reading the book i listened to the soundtrack, which is as amazing as the story itself and i recommend it with all my heart.
Between shades of gray is one of the best novellas ive ever come across. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Between shades of gray discussion questions what did you think this book was going to be about before you started. During the second world war, lithuania, latvia and estonia and other countries. As chapter 29 opens, the vilkas family is surveying the ten by twelve foot shack that is to be their home when the young blond guard comes to summon elena to meet with the commander. Download the full discussion guide read an excerpt.
While they may understand the book, is it appropriate for them. Pdf between shades of gray book by ruta sepetys free. Between these plot points, the author elegantly transitions between the gripping descriptions of alia and travis trying to survive and jesse almost falling into the abyss of generational hatred of islam. Between shades of gray follows the soviet oppression of the baltics, a moment rarely explored in historical fiction. Between shades of gray unit rebekahs teaching portfolio. Between shades of gray by elizabeth anderson on prezi. My daughters bookclub is a group of 12 year old girls, who are very advanced readers they read at the high school level. Historical facts and fiction for between shades of gray by. Between shades of gray is the story of the genocide of the baltic people of eastern europe by the soviet union, one that is significantly less well known than the genocide of the jews and other minorities in the holocaust. I feel grateful for a writer like ruta sepetys who bravely tells the hard story of what happens to the innocent when world leaders and their minions choose hate and. The next chapter takes place 15 years later, with travis younger sister, jesse, defacing a building with an. Between shades of gray by ruta sepetys 681 words 123 help me.
The book opens with travis mclaurin, a 19yearold white man trying to protect alia susanto, a 16yearold hijabwearing indonesianamerican muslim, from the debris caused by the south towers destruction. When elena smashes her crystals before leaving jonas is in shock. This 352 paged book has inspired many teens to acknowledge the genocide of baltic people. There is no real resolution or end to the story it just stops without allowing the reader to gain any sense of where the main character or anyone else is at the end. Her father kostas has been arrested earlier, and they dont know where he is. Parents need to know that between shades of gray is a story of horrific cruelty and violence for mature tweens and up.
Until one night when soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life theyve known. During world war 2, the soviet union red army and the germany nazis were battling over the baltic states for power. This book gets a strong 3 for a variety of reasons. Sepetys reminds us of what could be if we turn our backs on the world and continue to focus only on our own individual lives. Between shades of gray original soundtrack based on the novel by ruta sepetys, an album by gavin mikhail. Overall, everyone enjoyed the book and could find parallels between the story and our current lives. Her face will change not only because she will grow older, much. Between shades of gray is a novel that will steal your breath and capture your heart. Between shades of gray takes its title from the complex nuances of morality that lina, the teenage protagonist and narrator, experiences and must grapple with during her years of imprisonment in the harsh soviet labor camps of siberia during world war ii.
The diary is a touching and revealing work that shows a curious. Between shades of gray by ruta sepetys 681 words 123. They want to stay together, so the children go with their mother. But between shades of gray is also a profoundly moving and inspiring book, as lina discovers first her own capacity for courage, then her ability to use art to overcome challenges, and finally her desire for both love and survival. Good book, however, how can the book be at level 3. Teen, 15 years old written by al watson august 9, 2019. The end historical fiction keeping dignity the guards looked at one another, dumbfounded. The washington post from new york times and international bestseller and carnegie medal winner ruta sepetys, author of salt to the sea. Official book website for between shades of gray by ruta sepetys. There were only two possible outcomes in siberia, notes lina. Between shades of gray is set during world war ii, and concerns the genocide of the baltic people. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy.
The first edition of the novel was published in march 22nd 2011, and was written by ruta sepetys. Fifteen year old linas life is about to change from loving family, respected parents, dreams of a future to violence, degradation, humiliation and survival. Laurie halse anderson, bestselling author of speak and wintergirls. Official book website for between shades of gray by ruta. Fiction the civil war may be over, but for 12yearold will page, who considers the yankees responsible for the deaths of his parents and brother and sisters, the pain will never end. It is significant in that it establishes one of the major themes of the bookidentityand how who we are is defined by our actions and experiences. But one night, the soviet secret police barge violently into her home, deporting her along with her mother and younger brother.
In june of 1941, fifteenyearold lina vilkas is arrested by the soviet secret police, the nkvd, from her home in kaunas, lithuania. Ive always found history to be horrifically boring but this book taught me that it doesnt always have to be. Few books are beautifully written, fewer still are important. They battled back and forth soviet occupation1940 nazi occupation soviet. I have read this book about 3 times now, and i love it even more.
Lina is just like any other fifteenyearold lithuanian. The guide can be used as a comprehensive tool to teach the book within the context of a language andor history class for a unit that lasts for 23 weeks. Despite the situation lina is placed in at the young age of fifteen, she audaciously chooses to write about the terrible cruelties the soviets are doing to those around her as well as. Start reading between shades of gray on your kindle in under a minute. Between shades of gray the free library of philadelphia. Until one night when soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family. These questions can help students dive deeper into this novel and its themes. We found the story to be haunting and unthinkable at times, but came away with a. Between shades of gray study guide from litcharts the. Fiction the civil war may be over, but for 12yearold will page, who. A moving and haunting novel perfect for readers of the book thief.
And, since ive been in a historical fiction type of mood, i steeled myself for a harrowing, difficult read about the lithuanian experience in wwii. In 1940, the ussr the soviet union annexed the baltic countries of estonia, latvia, and lithuania, and systematically deported citizens deemed enemies of the state. Ruta sepetys was inspired to write a fiction book instead of a nonfiction book based on the stories she heard from survivors of the genocide during a. She is arrested alongside her mother, elena, and tenyearold brother jonas. Aug 15, 2012 additionally, between shades of gray made a number of best of 2011 lists including many of our own smugglivus guest authors and bloggers all this prompted me to buy the book. Historical facts and fiction for between shades of gray prezi.
The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 344 pages and is available in hardcover format. The family is given very little time to pack before they. In 1941, fifteenyearold lina, her mother, and brother are pulled from their lithuanian home by soviet guards and sent to siberia, where her father is sentenced. Between shades of gray by ruta sepetys book club discussion. It tells the story of a fifteenyearold lithuanian girl, lina. The main characters of this young adult, historical story are lina, jonas. In 1940, josef stalin, the leader of the soviet union. Between shades of gray by ruta sepetys, paperback barnes. Free download or read online between shades of gray pdf epub book. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that lina ultimately survives. We offer discounted pricing, free shipping and unparalleled expertise and customer service.