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Between Shades of Gray
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Between Shades of Gray (2011) (edit title/settings)

by Ruta Sepetys (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

In 1941, fifteen-year-old Lina is preparing for art school, first dates, and all that summer has to offer. But one night, the Soviet Secret Police barge violently into her home, deporting her, along with her mother and younger brother, to Siberia. Lena's father has been separated from the... read more

Summary edit see section history

In 1941, Lina Vilkas and her family are taken by the Soviets and sent on a long deportation journey to eventually wind up on the northern coast of Siberia. Separated from their father, the rest of the family endure trying train rides that result in deaths of passengers. The book tells of... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

In 1941, Lina Vilkas and her family are taken by the Soviets and sent on a long deportation journey to eventually wind up on the northern coast of Siberia. Separated from their father, the rest of the family endure trying train rides that result in deaths of passengers. The book tells of their stories as they stay in various camps and villages where they nearly starve as they work for rations. Lina and her brother Jonas are befriended by Andrius, though they are later separated. Upon finally reaching the last camp, illness sets in. The family learns Lina's father has been shot in prison, and a guard tries to make life easier for them. Eventually Lina's mother dies, and the illness worsens in the camp. A doctor arrives for a time, but another eleven years pass before Lina and Jonas are freed. The epilogue tells of notes found in a time capsule.

Characters/People edit see section history

  • Lina Vilkas: A fifteen-year-old aspiring artist who is torn from her home in Lithuania by the NKVD. She cares dearly for her mother brother and father.
  • Jonas Vilkas: Lina's younger brother
  • Mrs. Rimas: A kind woman who is included on the journey through terror with Lina, Jonas, and Lina's mother.
  • Andrius Arvydas: A 17-year-old boy who was also deported. Becomes friends with Lina and Jonas.
  • Janina: A little girl who becomes close to Lina. The NKVD shot her doll but she still speaks to her dead doll.
  • Mrs. Arvydas: Andrius' mother.
  • Elena Vilkas: Lina and Jonas's mother. She's married to Kostas, their father.
  • Nikolai Kretzsky: One of the guards in Lina's prison camp. Helps Lina's mom along the way.
  • Mr. Stalas: He is the man who always tried to die in the story. Constantly speaks his opinions and is yelled at for being an 'awful old man'.
  • Ivanov: One of the cruelest guards when Lina was in the Arctic circle.
  • Miss Grybas: One of the strictest Lithuanian teachers, grabbed with Lina and her family.
  • Stalin: The Dictator of the Soviets
  • Kostas Vilkas: Lina's father. He works as at a university.
  • Dr. Seltzer: A teacher who works with Kostas.
  • Mr. Lukas: He is the lawyer.
  • Komorov: One of the guards in Lina's camp. Helps Lina's Her mom along the way
  • Grandma Altai: Died when Lina was younger.
  • Davair: The Officer in charge.
  • Joana: Lina's cousin. Shows up in many of Lina's flashbacks.
  • Dickens: A docter
  • Ulyushka: A old women who shares camp with Lina and her family
  • Edvard Munch: An artist Lina admires. Known for his painting "The Scream."
  • Hitler: Worst Person Ever invaded Lithuania, made things worse
  • Regina: Add a description of this character.
  • Mrs. Pranas
  • Liale: A little girls doll
  • Ona: Woman who was taken from the hospital shortly after giving birth.
Show all 27 characters
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Quotes edit see section history

  • “In 1991, after fifty years of brutal occupation, the three Baltic countries regained their independence, peacefully and with dignity. They chose hope over hate and showed the world that even through the darkest night, there is light. Please research it. Tell someone. These three tiny nations have taught us that love is the most powerful army. Whether love of friend, love of country, love of God, or even love of enemy--love reveals to us the truly miraculous nature of the human spirit.”
    Ruta E. Sepetys
  • “Sometimes there is such beauty in awkwardness. There's love and emotion trying to express itself, but at the same time, it just ends up being awkward.”
    Elena Vilkas
  • Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers
  • Sometimes there is such beauty in awkwardness. There’s love and emotion trying to express itself, but at the time, it just ends up being awkward.
    Highlighted by 37 Kindle customers
  • We’d been trying to touch the sky from the bottom of the ocean. I realized that if we boosted one another, maybe we’d get a little closer.
    Highlighted by 22 Kindle customers
  • Have you ever wondered what a human life is worth? That morning, my brother’s was worth a pocket watch.
    Highlighted by 22 Kindle customers
  • I planted a seed of hatred in my heart. I swore it would grow to be a massive tree whose roots would strangle them all.
    Highlighted by 19 Kindle customers
  • Whether love of friend, love of country, love of God, or even love of enemy—love reveals to us the truly miraculous nature of the human spirit.
    Highlighted by 19 Kindle customers
  • “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” —Albert Camus
    Highlighted by 16 Kindle customers
  • ‘From my rotting body flowers shall grow, and I am in them and that is eternity.’
    Highlighted by 13 Kindle customers
  • They chose hope over hate and showed the world that even through the darkest night, there is light.
    Highlighted by 11 Kindle customers
  • “My point is that we’re dealing with two devils who both want to rule hell.”
    Highlighted by 11 Kindle customers
  • “I don’t deserve anything. You stand for what is right, Lina, without the expectation of gratitude or reward.
    Highlighted by 9 Kindle customers
Show all 12 quotes from this book

First Sentence edit see section history

THEY TOOK ME IN MY NIGHTGOWN.

Table of Contents edit see section history

1-85 chapters

Glossary edit see section history

Series & Lists edit see section history

This book is in Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2011. (authoritative list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Ruta Sepetys (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Penguin Group
Country: U.S.A
Publication Date: March 22, 2011
ISBN: 0399254129
Page Count: 344

Awards edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: PZ7.S47957Be2011
  • Dewey: Fic--dc22 2009050092

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Young Adults

Mature themes no offensive language, some graphic (but brief and not gratuitous) violence. Ages 12 and up.

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

  • Number One Novels: Debut novelist Ruta Sepetys shares her journey of getting Between Shades of Gray from her desktop into your hands.

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
  • The Diary of a Young Girl
  • I Have Lived a Thousand Years
  • Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

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