By Ruta Sepetys (author)
"A gruelling story of survival, friendship and tragedy impeccably told - you will exult and cry with the characters"
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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.”
Four young people, each haunted by their own dark secret, narrate their unforgettable stories. Fans of The Book Thief or Helen Dunmore's The Siege will be totally absorbed.
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When the German ship the Wilhelm Gustloff was sunk in port in early 1945 it had over 9000 civilian refugees, including children, on board. Nearly all were drowned. Ruta Sepetys, acclaimed author of Between Shades of Grey , brilliantly imagines their story.
Ruta Sepetys is a master of historical fiction. In Salt to the Sea, the hard truths of her herculean research are tempered with effortless, intimate storytelling, as her warm and human characters breathe new life into one of the world's most terrible and neglected tragedies. -- Elizabeth Wein
A rich, page-turning story that brings to vivid life a terrifying-and little-known-moment in World War II history. -- Steve Sheinkin
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.
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The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Salt to the Sea and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-14 years old
Salt to the Sea features in the following genres: Gritty Reads, Recommendations, Recommended Children's eBooks, Featured Books for 13+ readers
Hardback, Paperback. £8.99, down from the £9.99 cover price. In Stock.
Salt to the Sea was written by Ruta Sepetys and published by Puffin an imprint of Penguin Books Ltd
Salt to the Sea has 391 pages
£8.99, reduced from £9.99. In Stock.
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