In 1940, josef stalin, the leader of the soviet union, annexed lithuania to make it part of the soviet union. I doubt fourth and third graders would be able to decipher some of the words in the book. It tells the story of a fifteenyearold lithuanian girl, lina. Between shades of gray, a new york times best seller, is the debut novel of american novelist ruta sepetys. Start reading between shades of gray on your kindle in under a minute.
Official book website for between shades of gray by ruta sepetys. Linas father has already been arrested and now in the night fists pound on the door and quiet, gentle mother. Historical facts and fiction for between shades of gray prezi. The washington postfrom new york times and international bestseller and carnegie medal winner ruta sepetys, author of salt to the sea. Free download or read online between shades of gray pdf epub book. Between shades of gray reading after midnight reading. Between shades of gray by elizabeth anderson on prezi. Watch the moving and poignant author video at discussion questions as the novel opens, lina explains that though the signs were in place, she has little understanding that her parents had planned to attempt to escape lithuania. Nov 12, 2012 between shades of gray discussion 308 views.
One thing i didnt like about the book was, that lots of people died. Minor characters are memorably and vividly drawn, and the first half of the book, in particular, roars along. 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. And now will has to go live with his uncle jed, who refused to fight for the confederate. They battled back and forth soviet occupation1940 nazi occupation soviet. The first edition of the novel was published in march 22nd 2011, and was written by ruta sepetys. Download the full discussion guide read an excerpt. Between shades of gray by ruta sepetys book club discussion. Between shades of gray is set during world war ii, and concerns the genocide of the baltic people.
I have become obsessed with her books and her outstanding level of writing. Ive always found history to be horrifically boring but this book taught me that it doesnt always have to be. Until one night when soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family. Between shades of gray is the story of a young teenager, lina. In 1940, josef stalin, the leader of the soviet union.
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. This response to unfairness intensified my view of mankind. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. 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. Official book website for between shades of gray by ruta. The first reason is, the kids found there dad on a train that was going to siberia. When elena smashes her crystals before leaving jonas is in shock. She is arrested alongside her mother, elena, and tenyearold brother jonas. These questions can help students dive deeper into this novel and its themes. Ruta sepetyss between shades of gray is now the film ashes in the snow. Between shades of gray unit rebekahs teaching portfolio. Lina is just like any other fifteenyearold lithuanian.
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. 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. Film right have been secured for between shades of gray, the 2011 bestselling ya novel by ruta sepetys. While they may understand the book, is it appropriate for them. 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. Between shades of gray themes from litcharts the creators. Good book, however, how can the book be at level 3.
Between shades of gray follows the soviet oppression of the baltics, a moment rarely explored in historical fiction. 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. Her father kostas has been arrested earlier, and they dont know where he is. 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. Historical facts and fiction for between shades of gray by. 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. Fifteen year old linas life is about to change from loving family, respected parents, dreams of a future to violence, degradation, humiliation and survival. Recommended resources discussion guide between shades of gray. 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. Other works related to between shades of gray include young men and women coming of age during the genocides of world war ii.
In june of 1941, fifteenyearold lina vilkas is arrested by the soviet secret police, the nkvd, from her home in kaunas, lithuania. 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. 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. Teen, 15 years old written by al watson august 9, 2019. Between shades of gray is a novel that will steal your breath and capture your heart. Between shades of gray by ruta sepetys, 97801435889, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Between shades of gray is a brilliant title for this well that was another enlightening, emotional, and an absolutely awesome 5 read. The inspiration for the major motion picture ashes in the snow. In 1941, fifteenyearold lina is preparing for art school, first dates, and all that summer has to offer.
Richard peck, newbery awardwinning author of a year down yonder between shades of gray is a story of astonishing force. Overall, everyone enjoyed the book and could find parallels between the story and our current lives. The question and answer section for between shades of gray is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. 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.
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. Parents need to know that between shades of gray is a story of horrific cruelty and violence for mature tweens and up. 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. 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. Between shades of gray by ruta sepetys 681 words 123.
During the second world war, lithuania, latvia and estonia and other countries. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. This book gets a strong 3 for a variety of reasons. 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. This 352 paged book has inspired many teens to acknowledge the genocide of baltic people. In my opinion, this wouldnt be the book for younger children, because it has a some abusing in it. I have read this book about 3 times now, and i love it even more. Features 81 chapter summaries and 6 sections of expert analysis. Until one night when soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life theyve known. Between shades of gray is the book that might make more open to reading historical fiction. We offer discounted pricing, free shipping and unparalleled expertise and customer service. Her face will change not only because she will grow older, much. The diary is a touching and revealing work that shows a curious.
A moving and haunting novel perfect for readers of the book thief. Booksource is the premier trade book distributor to k12 school classrooms across the country. Between shades of gray by ruta sepetys, is one of the most famous historical fiction books ever written. 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. 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. Would you be willing to offer your opinions based on reading the book. 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 by ruta sepetys 681 words 123 help me. The washington post from new york times and international bestseller and carnegie medal winner ruta sepetys. The main characters of this young adult, historical story are lina, jonas. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 344 pages and is available in hardcover format. 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.
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. Pdf between shades of gray book by ruta sepetys free. My daughters bookclub is a group of 12 year old girls, who are very advanced readers they read at the high school level. During world war 2, the soviet union red army and the germany nazis were battling over the baltic states for power. Critically acclaimed, international and new york times bestseller. Between shades of gray brevard county library overdrive.
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. 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. 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. Between shades of gray the free library of philadelphia. 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. Fifteenyearold lina, her mother, and her younger brother are dragged from their. We found the story to be haunting and unthinkable at times, but came away with a. The washington post from new york times and international bestseller and carnegie medal winner ruta sepetys, author of salt to the sea. Laurie halse anderson, bestselling author of speak and wintergirls. Between shades of gray study guide from litcharts the. The end historical fiction keeping dignity the guards looked at one another, dumbfounded. Between shades of gray discussion questions what did you think this book was going to be about before you started. Between shades of gray isnt the type of book id normally read, but im extremely glad that i decided to read it. 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. 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. The guide can be used as a comprehensive tool to teach the book within the context of a language andor history class for.
Lina is just like any other fifteenyearold lithuanian girl in 1941. There were only two possible outcomes in siberia, notes lina. Few books are beautifully written, fewer still are important. They want to stay together, so the children go with their mother. Its june 14, 1941 in lithuania and the soviets are purging this newly invaded country of all rebels. Between shades of gray by ruta sepetys, paperback barnes. The next chapter takes place 15 years later, with travis younger sister, jesse, defacing a building with an. 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.
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. Between shades of gray important quotes supersummary. 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. Between shades of gray 2011 read online free books. 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. Between shades of gray is a riveting novel that steals your breath, captures your heart, and reveals the miraculous nature of the human spirit. Mar 22, 2011 the building, readers learn later, is the islam peace center, where jesse must do her community service for her crime. 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.