Annotation-Young Adult

Salt to the Sea

by Ruth Sepetys

Publisher-Philomel Books, 2014

391 pages

Setting: Germany, Poland, Baltic Sea and East Prussia during the final months of World War II

Synopsis

Sepetys’ novel illustrates the tragedy of war, shown from the perspective of four teenagers, each from a different homeland and each scarred by their circumstances during the war. Joana is a native Lithuanian and skilled in medicine. Alfred is a German officer, albeit a lowly one, whose blind allegiance to Hitler and his ideals is unnerving. Florian, a German youth who unknowingly assisted in the theft of countless works of art and artifacts, now seeks revenge against the Nazis who deceived him. Emilie, a 15 year old native of Poland, has suffered an unspeakable tragedy.

As the Soviets quickly move through Germany, thousands of refugees are attempting to flee Germany by way of the Baltic Sea by ship. The paths of these four youths converge as they board the Wilhelm Gustloff. At the time, all of the passengers aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff believe they are en route to freedom.  Sepetys’ novel puts a human face on the greatest, yet largely unknown, maritime disaster.   Historical details are accurately recounted in the midst of Sepetys’ beautifully written story that will captivate its readers.

Appeal

Story line-The horrific fate of those who boarded the Wilhelm Gustloff is brought to light through Sepetys’ novel. This tragedy is central to the story line of the book. However, Sepetys brings this period of history to life and puts a human face on such a tragedy through her story. Readers enter into the personal lives of the characters and share the painful details of their lives.

Setting- Historical fiction requires that the setting be historically accurate. Salt to the Sea will appeal to readers interested in WW II period, particularly as it affected youth. The book accurately depicts the time period.

Pacing –The story is leisurely paced as is true of many historical novels. Readers are however quickly pulled into the story line, in part because of the brief vignettes told by each of the four main characters in turn.

Tone- As the novel takes place in wartime, the tone is often suspenseful and grim. The harsh reality of war will often tug at readers’ heartstrings. However, upon reading the final page, readers will undoubtedly be left with a feeling of hope.  

Read-alikes

Fiction

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Code Name Verity and Rose under Fire by Elizabeth Wein- Both of these books take place during World War II.  The stories are told from the youth’s perspective, thus revealing the effect of war on youth.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

The Voyage by Roberta Kagan

Nonfiction

Night by Elie Wiesel

Subject Headings

Historical Fiction

World War II, 1939-45-fiction

Refugees-juvenile fiction

Wilhelm Gustloff (ship)