YA Book Recommendation: Salt to the Sea
Usually I wait until I’ve finished reading a book before recommending it, but I just can’t do that with Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. Yes, it’s that good!
The story takes place during the winter of 1945 in East Prussia and Poland. The Soviets are advancing, sending thousands of refugees fleeing toward the Polish coast.
The narrative rotates between four points-of-view. Florian is an enigmatic Prussian soldier on a personal mission. Joana, a Lithuanian nurse, is haunted by guilt as she journeys across the war-torn landscape, helping where she can. Alfred, a sailor, harbors delusions of grandeur. And Emilia, a fifteen-year-old Latvian, is pregnant and about to give birth.
The story takes place during the winter of 1945 in East Prussia and Poland. The Soviets are advancing, sending thousands of refugees fleeing toward the Polish coast.
The narrative rotates between four points-of-view. Florian is an enigmatic Prussian soldier on a personal mission. Joana, a Lithuanian nurse, is haunted by guilt as she journeys across the war-torn landscape, helping where she can. Alfred, a sailor, harbors delusions of grandeur. And Emilia, a fifteen-year-old Latvian, is pregnant and about to give birth.
The writing is rich and lyrical. I find myself stopping constantly to admire a turn of phrase or arresting description. Each of the four voices is authentic and compelling and pulls you onward. I have a feeling this book is going to be one that will remain in my memory for many years to come.
Note: Our school media specialist put this title on our Young Adult shelf (for 8th grade and up).
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