Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Through hardship to the stars." (Sepetys, 2017, p.114)

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys is an emotional work of historical fiction. In an attempt to portray the brutal truth of World War II, the narrative follows refugees struggling to flee from Soviet Russian Forces as the war comes to a close in the winter of 1945. Joana, Florian, Emilia, Eva, Heinz, and Klaus, all from different nationalities and carrying different stories, band together to survive the harsh winter, bombs, starvation, and the Russian enemy. After learning of new evacuation orders from Germany, the band of refugees board the Wilhelm Gustloff, a German military transport ship. Alfred, a German sailor on the Wilhelm Gustloff, unconsciously aids his enemies as they fool him into thinking they are of the “master race”. When they are aboard the ship and hopeful, a Russian submarine torpedoes the Wilhelm Gustloff, sinking it and killing over 9,000 civilians. Without spoiling the novel, three of the refugees miraculously survive the hidden historical event that is marked as the worst maritime tragedy in history.

While the book is intended for both middle grade and young adult readers, with a suggested age range from 12 to 17, it is most suitable for older audiences. Because of the horrors of war and the overwhelming element of death within the novel, it is most appropriate for young adult readers, as there are frequent descriptions of corpses and insinuations of rape. Though war is violent in nature, Salt to the Sea manages to keep readers at peace and intrigued by including four different viewpoints. As the book’s major strength, the reader is allowed into the minds of Joana, Florian, Emilia, and Alfred, as each character unveils their own history, secrets, and personal goals. This style provides teachers the opportunity to study the perspectives from a cultural standpoint and analyze attitudes from different countries. With the inclusion of rich historical elements, including World War II, the Wilhelm Gustloff, and the Amber Room, students will learn about hidden historical events through a narrative that gives a voice to thousands of victims of this period.

I loved this book with my entire heart and soul. I have never felt more aware of history and more sympathetic to people that do not exist. Undoubtedly, each character taught me something about the hardships of life, such as perseverance, loyalty, and innocence. Although I personally have no relation to any of the tragedies or histories of World War II, this book was the bridge I needed to fully grasp and connect the events that terrorized the world. I will never forget the nurse, the Pole, the knight, the shoe poet, or the wandering boy.

If readers cannot get enough of historical fiction, Between Shades of Gray, also by Ruta Sepetys, follows Lina, a Lithuanian girl, taken into a Siberian work camp. (If readers are attentive, they will know that Joana is actually Lina’s cousin, as mentioned in Salt to the Sea!)

Ruta Sepetys is a the daughter of a refugee, which is where most of her inspiration and motivation is drawn from for her stories. In the interview below, she touches on the history of events in the book, the research process, and her personal connection to the story.

Sepetys, R. (2017). Salt to the Sea. New York City, United States of America: Penguin Young Readers Group.

Sepetys, R. (2012). Between Shades of Gray. New York City, United States of America: Penguin Books.