Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Lian is only fifteen years old when Soviet Officers barge into her home in Lithuanian.   The year is 1941 and Stalin is giving orders. She is forced onto a dirty crowded train with her mother, brother and strangers. The conditions are horrific as the train makes its way north crossing the arctic circle into Serbia where they are forced to work.

The winter is brutal and the conditions on the train pale in comparison to what they are about to undergo. Difficult choices are to be made by all but human nature also shows some compassion and characters surprise you with choices they make. Many scenes are shocking and some could consider them graphic (this is also true for the train ride). 

Lina uses her art as a way to cope with her life and to get word to her father who was is separated from them. This combined with some flashbacks from the author helps provide some moments of emotional relief. 

Between Shades of Gray explores  the psychological and sociological ramifications of WWII. This fictional story is almost too much for the heart to bear  especially when you stop and think that  this one story is a reflection of the 20+millions of lives lost in the genocide. 

This is a well written, informative, emotional story filled with phenomenal characters. Sepetys has written a gem of a novel and it should be mandatory reading for all school age children. We know about Hitler and the atrocities he put people  under but somehow Stalin gets glossed over and what he did is just as horrific. This is the first novel I have run across regarding Stalin and the people he harmed. I strongly recommend this read for all.  Be prepared for emotional turmoil and to shed a tear or two.