Between Shades of Gray

Reader: Sophie D
Age: 15
Title: Between Shades of Gray
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Philomel Books
Pub Date: March 2011
Galley: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read the book: It is really sad, but the writing is beautiful and the voice of the main character is strong. It seemed very true to what actually happened, and it was one of the better historical novels I've come across.
Compelling Aspect of the Book: There were two things that made me keep reading. One was the strong voice of the narrator. I would have read any book narrated by this girl. She was a very interesting person, and the way she described things was very visual and vivid. You could tell that she was an artist. Her personal struggles are compelling as well, as she is really only trying to do what is best for her family, but she wonders if she is being selfish and snobby at the same time. The second reason was the hopeful tone of the book. If the book had lacked this hope, I would not have read it, it was too sad. But however hard things got, the characters were always able to pull through and stay strong.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: The only disappointment was the ending. I felt that it was very abrupt and perhaps not the best place to end. Also, I don't like it when, in the last chapter, people from the future find a letter or whatever from the narrator. I think that's a bit cheesy. But besides that, this book was fantastic.
Cover: This cover is perfect. It's simple, yet not boring. It's symbolic, yet not too heavy on the symbolism. It very much matches the title, and the contents of the book. The barbed wire is a nice touch and gives the whole picture a more gloomy feel.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 4Q Better than most