Ruta Sepetys

APRIL 23RD AT 14-15

BackgroundBorn in Detroit, Michigan in the United States. Her family loved reading, music and art.

Living in Nashville, Tennessee, in the United States with her family.

Half American and half Lithuanian. Proud over her Lithuanian background.

Has worked in the music and entertainment industry for over twenty years.

Interested in and passionate about the power of history and literature. Suspension builds both on the plot (how it will end up for the characters) and the historical context for the novels.

Intention to foster global awareness and connectivity, through bringing up for many people common important historical figures, “hidden chapters in history”, conditions for survival and more.

Experience of presenting to NATO, the European Parliament, the United States Capitol, and embassies worldwide.

Common features of the novelsRuta Sepetys’ novels take place during poignant periods in history, such as Stalin’s gulag, Europe’s Eastern Front in World War II, New Orleans in the 1950s.

All novels contain the theme of journey.

The characters must overcome the challenges in their daily lives. They need to maneuver around the obstacles placed in their way, by events in the past, recent or distant.

Main characters are driven by hope. It could be hope for a better life, to get out of a bad situation, or surviving for some more time.

Characters need to overcome both events surrounding them and aspects of their own backgrounds, as can be overwhelming, oppressive, and unfair.

Discussion questionsRuta’s novels are brining up the theme of living through significant events in history:

1. To what extent are our lives a product of the times that we live in?

2. What are the circumstances of history and daily life that are most challenging to endure? How do you handle those?

3. How may circumstances of history affect interpersonal relationships?

Between Shades of GrayWhat is it about?

It is about a Lithuanian girl deported to Siberia during World War II.

It contains themes of loss, fear and survival.

Plot summary:

15 years old Lina is a Lithuanian girl living an ordinary life until the Soviet occupation in 1941.

Then officers invade her home and separates her father from the rest of the family.

Lina, her mother, and her young brother get transported to a Siberian work camp where they need to fight for their lives.

Lina finds solace in documenting events by drawing, imbedding clues of their location in the drawings and passes them along to her dad’s prison camp.

Will Lina and her family survive?

The novel has been filmatized. As a film it is called Ashes in the snow.

Out of the EasyWhat is it about?

Lies, secrets, how destiny can shape our lives

Plot summary:

The novel is about 17 years old Josie Moraine, who is struggling to escape her own family. She is known as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, but dreams of attending an Elite college.

As she has created a plan to shape her own destiny, she is affected by a mysterious death in the Quarter. It challenges her conscience, the loyalty to her mum, and a lady Willie Woodley on Conti Street.

The book take place during the 1950s in New Orleans.

Salt to the SeaWhat is it about?

The novel shines a light on a massive ship wreck, one of the war’s most devastating, little-known, tragedies.

Plot summary:

The novel take place in East Prussia during winter 1945. Thousands of refugees are desperately trying to find their way to freedom, many with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, all born of different homelands. Their paths converge on their way to a ship that promises salvation, Wilhelm Gustloff.

Along the way, Joana, Emilia and Florian find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested, with each step closer to safety. They are all hunted and haunted by tragedy, lies and war.

Just when it seems like freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. All ten thousand people aboard must fight for their survival.

The novel shows that humanity and love can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.

Based on researchThe novel is inspired by a real-life tragedy, the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. That is known as greatest maritime disaster in history. The ship was meant to evacuate German soldiers, civilians and refugees, from Poland, Lithuania and other countries who were fleeing the Soviet army.

The novel reveal a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war.

Ruta Sepetys told The Guardian: “When I interviewed people during my research, some told me not to bother with the book, that the world had forgotten them. The interest in the novel confirms that through characters and story, historical statistics become human and suddenly we care for those we’ve never met. My work sits on the shoulders of nonfiction, memoir and testimony. If a reader is interested in my novels, it’s my hope that they will feel compelled to research the facts behind the fiction.”

Carnegie Medal Winner

The prize has been awarded since 1937 by The British Library Association.

It goes to last year's best children's or youth book published in the UK.

Salt to the sea got the Carnegie Medal 2017, for stimulating empathy and solidarity.

Of Salt to the sea, the judges said that “not one of us knew about this real-life disaster and it shows how history is skewed towards the victor.” They added: “[The book] has been selected because of the powerful, crafted language, the tight, carefully shaped plot and the range of moods evoked throughout.”

The Fountains of SilenceWhat is it about?

Love, silence, identity, repercussions of war and the complexity of a Spanish dictatorship.

Plot summary:

The novel is inspired by the postwar struggles of Spain. It is taking place during 1957 in Madrid, under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco.

18 years old Daniel Matheson arrives in Madrid. His parents want to connect with the country of his mum’s birth. They are doing so through photography. Daniel get introduced to Ana whose family is still affected by the Spanish Civil War and dark secrets related to that.

Photographs taken by Daniel is leaving him with questions and in danger. He is forced to make decisions in order to protect those he loves.

The author’s thoughtsAbout hardship

Here is a link to where Ruta discuss research and what we can learn from those who have gonethrough hardship:

https://anchor.fm/we-are-ya/episodes/The-Check-In-Ruta-Sepetys-ec4i7g/a-a1q9hqm

About creativity

“I am a firm believer that fostering the creative spirit, whether through art, music, literature, film, dance, hobbies or collaborating with others, can provide a lifetime of happiness. Over the years, I have worked with celebrities and musicians, helping them bring their creative and musical stories to the world. Along the way I was compelled to share my own story and began writing.”

Bibliographyhttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/244050/ruta-sepetys

http://rutasepetys.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Ruta-Sepetys-Bio-AITS.pdf

https://www.penguin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/RutaSepetys_Guide_FNL_web.pdf

https://global.penguinrandomhouse.com/announcements/ruta-septys-salt-to-the-sea-wins-cilip-carnegie-medal-for-best-childrens-writing/

https://www.penguin.com/static/pages/youngreaders/teachers-librarians/author_appearance/sepetys.php