Bibliography: 

Sepetys, R. (2011). Between Shades of Gray. New York, NY. Thorndike Press.  

Plot Summary: 

Lina is a fifteen year old Lithuanian that lives with her brother, mother and father. Everything in her life was perfect, until the day that they were taken by the Soviet Police. Her father was imprisoned and they were taken to different camps throughout Asia. Even Though the three of them stayed together and endured harsh treatment and conditions, her mother perished in the last camp. She was able to continue and tell her life story with the drawings that she kept during her imprisonment.   

Critical Analysis: 

This novel has many historical fiction characteristics. The plot was set during the 1940's. This time period in history was the time when the Jews and Polish people were being prosecuted and enslaved in different camps. The author was able to display a map and timeline of the areas in which Lina and her family traveled. This graphic was able to give the reader a clear picture of where they were taken. The events also depict the feelings, sights and treatment that Lina and the other characters had to endure during their captivity. The chronological order structure gave the reader a clear timeline of the events. 

Strengths: The novel was told from the perspective of a teenager that endured great hardships during the invasion by the Soviet Union. The novel takes the reader back in that time and is able to visualize and feel everything that Lina experienced . 

Weaknesses: The novel was well written and no weaknesses were found.

Connections: This novel has a strong connection to the novel titled The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank. In the novel Between Shades of Gray, Lina was able to express her experience by drawing and Anne Frank was able to express her experience by writing. 

Review excerpt (Booklist)

By Michael Cart (02/01/2011)

https://www.booklistonline.com/Between-Shades-of-Gray-Ruta-Sepetys/pid=4560113

Review excerpt (Horn Book)

https://www.hornbookguide.com/site/?reviewDetail=between-shades-of-gray-93480