Salt to the Sea

· Sold by Penguin
62 reviews
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400
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About this ebook

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A journey to freedom is rocked by an epic disaster in this masterpiece of historical fiction that shines a light on one of World War II’s most devastating—yet overlooked—tragedies.

WINNER OF THE CARNEGIE MEDAL

“Masterfully crafted.”—The Wall Street Journal

"Brutal. Beautiful. Honest."—Sabaa Tahir, New York Times bestselling author of An Ember in the Ashes

“A rich, page-turning story that brings to vivid life a terrifying—and little-known—moment in World War II history.” —Steve Sheinkin, author of Newbery Honor and National Book Award finalist Bomb

World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, many with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer to safety.

But just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people—adults and children alike—aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.

Told in alternating points of view, this masterful work of historical fiction is inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff—the greatest maritime disaster in history. Ruta Sepetys unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity and love can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.


NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A journey to freedom is rocked by an epic disaster in this masterpiece of historical fiction that shines a light on one of World War II’s most devastating—yet overlooked—tragedies. WINNER OF THE CARNEGIE MEDAL “Masterfully crafted.”—The Wall Street Journal "Brutal. ...

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Ratings and reviews

62 reviews
Toby A. Smith
October 23, 2023
Intensely emotional, this book is a deep dive into suffering and hardship during World War II, told through the stories of a handful of refugees -- all of whom wind up ultimately trying to evacuate aboard the ill-fated and overcrowded German transport ship, MV Wilhelm Gustloff. Like the Titanic and the Lusitania, the Gustloff also sunk - resulting in nearly 10,000 lives lost.
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Nicki Gunn
November 24, 2018
What a great book. I love that she tells a side of WWII we don't normally know about. Those last 50 pages really hit hard. Loved the new perspective and the history lesson.
1 person found this review helpful
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Darren St Jean
June 12, 2018
This book is beautiful in the disaster. I absolutely loved it, would recommend to anyone who enjoys an amazingly captivating read, that leaves you hungry for more. Seriously a solid top 5 book.
1 person found this review helpful
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About the author

Ruta Sepetys (www.rutasepetys.com) is an internationally acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction published in over sixty countries and forty languages. Sepetys is considered a "crossover" novelist, as her books are read by both teens and adults worldwide. Her novels Between Shades of Gray, Out of the Easy, and Salt to the Sea have won or been shortlisted for more than forty book prizes, and are included on more than sixty state award lists. Between Shades of Gray was adapted into the film Ashes in the Snow, and her other novels are currently in development for TV and film. Winner of the Carnegie Medal, Ruta is passionate about the power of history and literature to foster global awareness and connectivity. She has presented to NATO, to the European Parliament, in the United States Capitol, and at embassies worldwide. Ruta was born and raised in Michigan and now lives with her family in Nashville, Tennessee. Follow her on Twitter @RutaSepetys and Instagram @RutaSepetysAuthor.

Ruta Sepetys (www.rutasepetys.com) is an internationally acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction published in over sixty countries and forty languages. Sepetys is considered a "crossover" novelist, as her books are read by both teens and adults worldwide. Her novels ...

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