SUMMARY
Fifteen-year- old Lina Vilkas is looking forward to her life. In the summer of 1941, she is preparing for art school, crushes, and anything that a regular teenager would enjoy. But one night, all of her dreams are shattered. Her father has not returned from work yet when Lina, her younger brother Jonas, and her mother are all arrested by the NKVD, the Soviet secret police. They later learn that Mr. Vilkas has, too, been taken to a prison camp. Lina, Jonas, and their fellow Lithuanians struggle to stay strong in the face of cruelty, refusing to give up hope. Lina, a talented artist, uses her gift to attempt to send messages to her father to let him know that they are all still alive. This is extremely risky, as the NKVD may be able to figure out what Lina is doing. Tragedy and sorrow mark the journey, but there are also moments of happiness. Mrs. Vilkas's love and determination to find her husband are the only things that keep the Vilkas family going. But, in this dangerous and horrifying time, there is no telling whether Lina's drawings will reach her father-- or whether she will be discovered by the NKVD.
REVIEW
Between Shades of Gray is a poignant, sorrowful tale of Lithuanians during World War II. It is beautifully written from a first-person perspective, with lovely descriptions and very strong characters. It is realistic and tragic, at times even brutal and nearly unbearable. There are some violent scenes in Between Shades of Gray. For example, one woman, hysterical after her newborn's death, is shot. There is slight language from one angry character and from the NKVD. Two nude scenes occur in Between Shades of Gray. After getting off of the train, the prisoners are taken to a bathhouse to clean up. After the women have undressed, the NKVD stare and snicker. The commander walks among the women to make them feel uncomfortable. He stares at some of the women, particularly Lina. There is no sensuality in these scenes, however. Despite the depressing realism of this story, there are some bright moments. The themes of love, courage, and family are very strong, and there is a tender, beautiful love story between Lina and her friend Andrius. The value of life is depicted as very, very high, and Lina's flashbacks, strewn throughout the book, add snippets of hope and tie in perfectly with the plot. Between Shades of Gray is somewhat depressing in its content, but is not without hope, and thus is a beautiful tale that will leave readers with something to think about.
Negative: two unsexualized nude scenes; heavy material to take in; some violence; slight language
Positive: tender love story; strong, loveable characters; makes readers think; plot is interesting, tragic, and beautiful; themes of courage, love, and the value of life
8 out of 10 stars
Fifteen-year- old Lina Vilkas is looking forward to her life. In the summer of 1941, she is preparing for art school, crushes, and anything that a regular teenager would enjoy. But one night, all of her dreams are shattered. Her father has not returned from work yet when Lina, her younger brother Jonas, and her mother are all arrested by the NKVD, the Soviet secret police. They later learn that Mr. Vilkas has, too, been taken to a prison camp. Lina, Jonas, and their fellow Lithuanians struggle to stay strong in the face of cruelty, refusing to give up hope. Lina, a talented artist, uses her gift to attempt to send messages to her father to let him know that they are all still alive. This is extremely risky, as the NKVD may be able to figure out what Lina is doing. Tragedy and sorrow mark the journey, but there are also moments of happiness. Mrs. Vilkas's love and determination to find her husband are the only things that keep the Vilkas family going. But, in this dangerous and horrifying time, there is no telling whether Lina's drawings will reach her father-- or whether she will be discovered by the NKVD.
REVIEW
Between Shades of Gray is a poignant, sorrowful tale of Lithuanians during World War II. It is beautifully written from a first-person perspective, with lovely descriptions and very strong characters. It is realistic and tragic, at times even brutal and nearly unbearable. There are some violent scenes in Between Shades of Gray. For example, one woman, hysterical after her newborn's death, is shot. There is slight language from one angry character and from the NKVD. Two nude scenes occur in Between Shades of Gray. After getting off of the train, the prisoners are taken to a bathhouse to clean up. After the women have undressed, the NKVD stare and snicker. The commander walks among the women to make them feel uncomfortable. He stares at some of the women, particularly Lina. There is no sensuality in these scenes, however. Despite the depressing realism of this story, there are some bright moments. The themes of love, courage, and family are very strong, and there is a tender, beautiful love story between Lina and her friend Andrius. The value of life is depicted as very, very high, and Lina's flashbacks, strewn throughout the book, add snippets of hope and tie in perfectly with the plot. Between Shades of Gray is somewhat depressing in its content, but is not without hope, and thus is a beautiful tale that will leave readers with something to think about.
Negative: two unsexualized nude scenes; heavy material to take in; some violence; slight language
Positive: tender love story; strong, loveable characters; makes readers think; plot is interesting, tragic, and beautiful; themes of courage, love, and the value of life
8 out of 10 stars