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Ruta Sepetys is the author of acclaimed YA novel, Between Shades of Grey. Born and raised in Michigan in a family of Lithuanian descent, Ruta now lives with her husband in Tennessee. Ruta was a highly successful promoter of classical music concerts, booking and touring with orchestras worldwide, before turning to writing full-time. In 2015, Ruta was awarded The Rockefeller Foundation's prestigious Bellagio Center writing residency, where she interacted with other leading international artists, writers and thinkers.
Ruta discovered the story on which Salt to the Sea is based originally through a family connection and discovered that a cousin of her father’s should have been on board but a fortunate accident near the port meant he missed boarding, saving his life. The book has recently been picked up for development by Universal Pictures.
Carnegie winner Ruta Sepetys seems to specialise in illuminating forgotten or unknown aspects of history. The Spanish Civil War may be widely known but Spain lived under Franco until 1975. Rather like post-Apartheid South Africa there was a reconciliation movement that did not pursue retribution for the human rights abuses and crimes of the dictatorship. But this outstanding, impeccably researched novel seeks to shine a light on those crimes. In a fascinating afterword she tells us that studies estimate over 300,000 babies were stolen from their Republican parents. This is indeed a story to shock and horrify but its power comes from the characters and the very human stories she tells. We get different perspectives from different viewpoints and voices, but very cleverly our main guide is an outsider looking in just as the reader does. Daniel is an American boy visiting Spain as his father negotiates a lucrative deal. America’s complicit dealings with the Franco regime are also under the spotlight here. Daniel aspires to be a photojournalist and he naively wants to find the real Spain. He finds fear and suspicion, makes friends and falls in love but tragedy strikes, and he must leave. The full sinister picture is only revealed many years later. This is a book which absolutely demonstrates the power of a story to reveal truth and to develop real understanding and empathy. Perfectly pitched, evocative and utterly enthralling.
Winner of the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2017 | Longlisted for the UKLA 2017 Book Award | It's early 1945 and a group of people trek across Germany, bound together by their desperation to reach the ship that can take them away from the war-ravaged land. This inspirational novel is based on a true story from the Second World War. On winning the CILIP Carnegie Medal Ruta Sepetys commented: “As a writer, I am drawn to underrepresented stories and history in hiding. I spend a lot of time pondering the question – why do some parts of history penetrate our collective consciousness while others remain hidden? When I began work on the novel years ago, I had no way of knowing that when it was published, we would be amidst a refugee crisis. Then and now, my thoughts return to the children.” She added: “History allows us to examine decisions. Yes, history can be full of sadness and pain but it also shines light on hope, freedom, courage and the miraculous nature of the human spirit. History divided us, but through reading we are united in study and remembrance. That is the power of books.”
Shortlisted for the 2012 Carnegie Medal. | Unforgettable and eye opening, this is a compelling and deeply moving story of one family’s survival against unimaginable odds. Taken from their home with only twenty minutes to pack, Lina along with her mother and younger brother gather together everything they think is important. Herded into a train in Lithuania, they begin a seemingly endless journey of unimaginable deprivation and horror which takes them to Siberia. Lina tells the family story describing the emotional turmoil especially about the whereabouts of their father as well as capturing the fleeting moments of hope and even the feelings of falling in love which make survival possible.
FROM CARNEGIE MEDAL WINNING AUTHOR RUTA SEPETYS Madrid, 1957. Daniel, young, wealthy and unsure of his place in the world, views the city through the lens of his camera. Ana, a hotel maid whose family is suffering under the fascist dictatorship of General Franco. Lives and hearts collide as they unite to uncover the hidden darkness within the city. A darkness that could engulf them all . . . Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys once again shines light into one of history's darkest corners in this epic, heart-wrenching novel about identity, unforgettable love and the hidden violence of silence. **PRAISE FOR THE FOUNTAINS OF SILENCE** 'Ruta Sepetys is the finest writer of historical fiction working today.' The Wall Street Journal 'Captivating, deft, and illuminating historical fiction.' Booklist 'Gripping.' Publishers Weekly 'A stunning novel that exposes modern fascism and elevates human resilience.' Kirkus 'An exemplary work of historical fiction.' The Horn Book
Die letzten Kriegstage des Jahres 1945: Tausende Menschen fluchten aus Angst vor der Roten Armee nach Westen. Darunter Florian, ein deutscher Deserteur, Emilia, eine junge Polin, und Joana, eine litauische Krankenschwester. Eine Notgemeinschaft, in der jeder ein Geheimnis hat, das er nicht preisgeben will. Denn der Krieg hat sie Misstrauen gelehrt. Im eiskalten Winter whlt der kleine Flchtlingstrek den lebensgefhrlichen Weg ber das zugefrorene Haff. In Gotenhafen, so heit es, warte die Wilhelm Gustloff, um sie nach Westen zu bringen. Doch auch dort sind sie noch lange nicht in Sicherheit.
New York Times Bestseller!"e;Masterly crafted"e;The Wall Street JournalFor readers ofBetween Shades of Grayand All the Light We Cannot See, bestselling author Ruta Sepetysreturns to WWII in this epic novel thatshines a light on one of the war's most devastatingyet unknowntragedies.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 areJoana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to theship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other testedwith each step closer to safety. Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Notcountry, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand peopleadults and children alikeaboard must fight for the same thing: survival.Told in alternating points of view and perfect for fans of Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winningAll the Light We Cannot See, Erik Larson'sDead Wake, and Elizabeth Wein's Printz Honor BookCode Name Verity, this masterful work of historical fiction is inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of theWilhelm Gustloffthe greatest maritime disaster in history. As she did inBetween 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.Praise forSalt to the Sea:';Jorjeana Marie, Will Damron, Cassandra Morris, and Michael Crouch perform mesmerizing narration worthy of Sepetys's spectacular novel. VERDICT Libraries with even the most limited audio budgets will want to invest.' School Library Journal, starred review ';The talented narrators excel in capturing the tone of their characters. [They] work together to create a vivid and well-rounded reading experience, [and] bring forth the truth of the wartime experience.' Booklist, starred review';The four narrators (Jorjeana Marie, Will Damron, Cassandra Morris and Michael Crouch) are superbly cast...The story's plot and pacing translate beautifully to the audio medium.' Publishers Weekly, starred reviewFeatured on NPR's Morning Edition ';Superlativemasterfully crafted[a] powerful work of historical fiction.'The Wall Street Journal ';[Sepetys is] a master of YA fictionshe once again anchors a panoramic view of epic tragedy in perspectives that feel deeply textured and immediate.'Entertainment Weekly "e;Riveting...powerful...haunting."e;The Washington Post ';Compelling for both adult and teenage readers.'New York Times Book Review ';Intimate, extraordinary, artfully craftedbrilliant.'Shelf Awareness "e;Historical fiction at its very, very best."e;The Globe and Mail';[H]aunting, heartbreaking, hopeful and altogether gorgeousone of the best young-adult novels to appear in a very long time.'Salt Lake Tribune *"e;This haunting gem of a novel begs to be remembered."e;Booklist *"e;Artfully told and sensitively crafted...will leave readers weeping."e;School Library JournalPraise for Between Shades of Gray:A New York TimesNotable Book AWall Street JournalBest Children's Book APublishers Weekly,School Library Journal, Booklist, and KirkusBest Book iTunes 2011 Rewind Best Teen Novel A Carnegie Medal andWilliam C. Morris Finalist ANew York Timesand InternationalBestseller ';Few books are beautifully written, fewer still are important; this novel is both.'The Washington Post *"e;[A]n important book that deserves the widest possible readership.'BooklistFrom the Compact Disc edition.
Out of the Easy is set against the vivid backdrop of 1950s New Orleans. Written by New York Times bestselling author Ruth Sepetys, this novel has something for everyone: love, mystery, murder, blackmail and warmth. Josie Moraine wants out of The Big Easy - she needs more than New Orleans can offer. Known locally as a brothel prostitute's daughter, she dreams of life at an elite college, far away from here. But then a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie caught between her ambition and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans is luring Josie deeper in as she searches for the truth, and temptation beckons at every turn. Praise for Between Shades of Gray: 'This superlative first novel by Ruta Sepetys demonstrates the strength of its unembellished language. A hefty emotional punch' - The New York Times '. . . moving and heart-wrenching.' - The Guardian Ruta Sepetys was born and raised in Michigan and now lives with her family in Tennessee. Her first novel, Between Shades of Gray, was shortlisted for the 2012 Carnegie Medal and the Waterstones Children's Book Award.
New Orleans in den Funfzigerjahren: zwielichtige Gestalten, dunkle Gassen. Josie Moraine, Tochter einer Prostituierten, ist fruh selbststandig geworden. Uber dem Buchladen, den sie mit ihrem besten Freund Patrick zusammen fuhrt, hat sie ein kleines Zimmer. Doch insgeheim traumt sie vom Smith College und einer Studentinnen-Freundschaft mit Charlotte. Und auch wenn das unerreichbar scheint fur eine junge Frau ihrer Herkunft, will Josie sich nicht von ihren Planen abbringen lassen. Dann taucht der Gangster Cincinnati in der Stadt auf. Ein Mann wird ermordet. Und Josie muss Entscheidungen treffen, die ihr Schicksal bestimmen.
Out of the Easy is set against the vivid backdrop of 1950s New Orleans. Written by New York Times bestselling author Ruth Sepetys, this novel has something for everyone: love, mystery, murder, blackmail and warmth. Josie Moraine wants out of The Big Easy - she needs more than New Orleans can offer. Known locally as a brothel prostitute's daughter, she dreams of life at an elite college, far away from here. But then a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie caught between her ambition and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans is luring Josie deeper in as she searches for the truth, and temptation beckons at every turn. Praise for Between Shades of Gray: 'This superlative first novel by Ruta Sepetys demonstrates the strength of its unembellished language. A hefty emotional punch' - The New York Times '. . . moving and heart-wrenching.' - The Guardian Ruta Sepetys was born and raised in Michigan and now lives with her family in Tennessee. Her first novel, Between Shades of Gray, was shortlisted for the 2012 Carnegie Medal and the Waterstones Children's Book Award.
The New York Times bestseller Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys is a harrowing story of a Lithuanian family who suffer unimaginable hardship and deportation during World War II, pitched perfectly for children and adults alike. That morning, my brother's life was worth a pocket watch . . . One night fifteen-year-old Lina, her mother and young brother are hauled from their home by Soviet guards, thrown into cattle cars and sent away. They are being deported to Siberia. An unimaginable and harrowing journey has begun. Lina doesn't know if she'll ever see her father or her friends again. But she refuses to give up hope. Lina hopes for her family. For her country. For her future. For love - first love, with the boy she barely knows but knows she does not want to lose . . . Will hope keep Lina alive? Set in 1941, Between Shades of Gray is an extraordinary and haunting story based on first-hand family accounts and memories from survivors. 'This superlative first novel by Ruta Sepetys demonstrates the strength of its unembellished language. A hefty emotional punch' New York Times 'Her prose is restrained and powerful, as unadorned as the landscape in which her characters struggle to survive... Few books are beautifully written, fewer still are important; this novel is both' The Washington Post Born and raised in Michigan, Ruta Sepetys is the daughter of a Lithuanian refugee. Ruta lives with her family in Tennessee. Between Shades of Grey is her first novel. http://www.betweenshadesofgray.com/
"e;Few books are beautifully written, fewer still are important; this novel is both."e; --The Washington PostFrom New York Timesand 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. A New York Times notable bookAn international bestsellerA Carnegie Medal nominee A William C. Morris Award finalistA Golden Kite Award winner Fifteen-year-old Lina is a Lithuanian girl living an ordinary life -- until Soviet officers invade her home and tear her family apart. Separated from her father and forced onto a crowded train, Lina, her mother, and her young brother make their way to a Siberian work camp, where they are forced to fight for their lives. Lina finds solace in her art, documenting these events by drawing. Risking everything, she imbeds clues in her drawings of their location and secretly passes them along, hoping her drawings will make their way to her father's prison camp. But will strength, love, and hope be enough for Lina and her family to survive? A moving and haunting novel perfect for readers of The Book Thief.Praise for Between Shades of Gray:"e;Superlative. A hefty emotional punch."e; --The New York Times Book Review"e;Heart-wrenching . . . an eye-opening reimagination of a very real tragedy written with grace and heart."e; --The Los Angeles Times"e;At once a suspenseful, drama-packed survival story, a romance, and an intricately researched work of historial fiction."e; --The Wall Street Journal* "e;Beautifully written and deeply felt . . . An important book that deserves the widest possible readership."e; --Booklist, starred review
