BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys

Bibliography

Sepetys, Ruta. 2011. BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY. New York: Penguin. ISBN: 9780142420591

Plot Summary

Lithuania is invaded by the Soviet Union. Lina and her family are arrested by the Soviet Union’s secret police. They are dragged from their homes and shoved onto cramped trains to travel all the way to Siberia where they are forced to work on farms. They are starved, beaten, and abused. Through all of this Lina never gives up hope of finding her father and being set free. She communicates this hope through her drawings and art.

Critical Analysis

-          Authenticity

BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY is based off the historical events of the invasion of Lithuania by the Soviet Union. The characters in the story are fictional, but there are still facts within the pages. People of importance in Lithuania were indeed rounded up and sent to worker camps. Between June and July 1941, over 40,000 Lithuanians were deported to Russia. According to 000, half of those deported did not survive. In the novel, many people died, but Lina kept their hope burning. Through these horrible circumstances, everyone had to have strength in order to survive.

-          Characters

Despite the extreme circumstances, Lina is a normal teenage girl. She has dreams of becoming an artist and falls in love with a young man who is also a prisoner. She feels anger and disgust at the people who are doing this to her and her family. She feels fear and yet act bravely to make sure her family survives.

Another notable character throughout the book is Lina’s mother. Her mother is Lina’s strength throughout the book. She keeps the group calm and is the voice of reason. She encourages Lina, but does everything in her power to protect both her children. Near the end when the mother loses hope, Lina is the one that picks up the role. This shows Lina’s own strength and her growth throughout the novel.

-          Plot

The plot of the novel is one of growing up strong despite difficult situations. Lina is beaten, she is ridiculed, she is used, and she is starved. She is forced to witness unspeakable crimes and she herself commits crimes that she never would have otherwise. And yet, Lina grows. She becomes a young woman who falls in love. She shows her bravery and strength over and over again. She never gives up hope.

-          Theme

The theme of the novel is centered around survival and strength. Lina and her family struggle throughout the book. They are subjected to abuse and starvation. They are forced to work all day for one portion of bread in the evening. They are driven to steal what they can to survive. Under normal circumstances, theft is a bad thing, but Lina steals food and wood for warmth. She keeps secrets from the police and lies to the authorities. Lina gains strength throughout the book as she works to keep her family and friends alive.

-          Setting

The setting for this novel is horrific. I almost didn’t want to read it, but I am glad I did. It was eye opening to see what people went through during that time. The saddest part was that not many people knew where they were or how to help others. Lina was very brave in trying to reconnect her family by sending messages to her father. She also kept a recorded history of what happened to her and the other Lithuanians who were also arrested. The setting for this novel, although sad and disturbing, was a learning experience of how much pain and suffering these people went through just for being who they were.

-          Style

Sepetys does a very good job in portraying this horrible time in history. She doesn’t dwell on the horrible acts that are done to Lina and her family. She states everything from Lina’s point of view and it is told like it is fact; like it just happens. For example when Ona l goes into hysterics and is shot, Lina describes it in detail but there is a sort of detachment, like she is in shock. This style is impressive and gives the story a realistic feel.

Review Excerpts

*Publishers Weekly Best Book

* A School Library Journal Best Book

*A Reader’s Choice Nominee in Germany

*An ALA Notable Book

Connections

In the back of the novel there is a discussion guide that includes questions such as: “Though Ona’s baby is a newborn, she is still considered an enemy of the state due to the actions of her father. What can be understood about the government’s policy?” and “Lina unflinchingly shares the nature of the condition in which she and the other prisoners are forced to live. What feelings does this candor evoke in you?”

Another good connection would be researching the Lithuanian invasion in order to gain background knowledge for the book. This is a different side to World War II then most children are aware of, but no less tragic.