Citation
Sepetys, R. (2016). Salt to the sea. New York, NY: Philomel Books.
Description
For readers of Between Shades of Gray and All the Light We Cannot See, Ruta Sepetys returns to WWII in this epic novel that shines a light on one of the war’s most devastating—yet unknown—tragedies.
World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, many with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer to safety.
Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people—adults and children alike—aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.
Told in alternating points of view and perfect for fans of Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning All the Light We Cannot See, Erik Larson’s Dead Wake, and Elizabeth Wein’s Printz Honor Book Code Name Verity, this masterful work of historical fiction is inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff—the greatest maritime disaster in history. As she did in Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity and love can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.
Historical Fiction
Scholarly Review
The stories of four young adults converge in this illumination of a little-known WWII tragedy. As Russian soldiers push Nazi forces back, Eastern European refugees flee toward the hope of evacuation by sea on the Wilhelm Gustloff, a vessel destined to sink. This elegiac tale succeeds with impressive research, affecting characters, and keen insights into humans' counterposed tendencies toward evil and nobility.
[The Horn Book Guide, 2016]
My Analysis
I really enjoyed this novel. It focuses on refugees during World War II. Most of the novel is about their excruciating journey to the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that was taking refugees to Kiel, Germany. The climax of the novel is when the ship gets hit by three Russian torpedoes, and ultimately the ship sinks, killing 9,000 people in the process. While the novel doesn’t describe too many gory scenes, but it does allude to rape, violence, and the gruesomeness of war, so this book is probably best suited to readers thirteen and older.
TagsWorld War II, historical fiction, maritime disaster, YA tragedy, refugees
Usage
This would be a good book to use as part of a history unit for World War II (or in English in conjunction with the history class) or as part of a project about maritime disasters. The librarian would be a good resource for teaching students about information retrieval and information literacy.
Awards
2017 Carnegie Medal
Censorship
No incidents found.
References
Gross, C. E. (2016, Fall). Sepetys, Ruta: salt to the sea. The Horn Book Guide, 27(2), 140. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.ezproxy.uky.edu/apps/doc/A467260792/BRIP?u=uky_main&sid=BRIP&xid=ab1e46d5
Penguin Random House. (n.d.). Salt to the sea details. Retrieved from https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/311729/salt-to-the-sea-by-ruta-sepetys/9780142423622/
2017 Carnegie Medal
Censorship
No incidents found.
References
Gross, C. E. (2016, Fall). Sepetys, Ruta: salt to the sea. The Horn Book Guide, 27(2), 140. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.ezproxy.uky.edu/apps/doc/A467260792/BRIP?u=uky_main&sid=BRIP&xid=ab1e46d5
Penguin Random House. (n.d.). Salt to the sea details. Retrieved from https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/311729/salt-to-the-sea-by-ruta-sepetys/9780142423622/
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