About the Author

Ruta Sepetys (rutasepetys.com) is an internationally acclaimed, #1New York Timesbestselling 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 novelsBetween Shades of Gray,Out of the Easy,Salt to the Sea, andThe Fountains of Silencehave won or been shortlisted for more than forty book prizes, and are included on more than sixty state award lists.Between Shades of Graywas adapted into the filmAshes 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 Instagram @RutaSepetysAuthor and on Facebook at facebook.com/rutasepetys.

Andrew Donkin (andrewdonkin.com) has sold overten million graphic novels,children's books, andadult booksworldwide. His graphic novelIllegal(co-written with Eoin Colfer) was a bestseller inthe USA and UK and has won or been nominated for overforty book awards. He has long been interested in the issue of refugees and displaced people. He has written for many globalfranchises, including Batman, Superman, Doctor Who, and Artemis Fowl. Andrew lives near the river Thames in London with his family. You can follow Andrew on Twitter and Instagram @andrewdonkin.

Dave Kopka (davekopka.com) is an illustrator whose work engages in print media in the form of book art, comics, and portraiture. He is fascinated with exploring the vast spectrums of art and illustration, employing an intricate attention to detail, and aspires to be a creative force in visual narrative through profound storytelling--usually involving the struggle to overcome, and the humor and misfortune behind internal conflict. He currently haunts Oakland, California. You can follow Dave on Twitter @DaveKopka and Instagram @drawkop.

Brann Livesay (milkyaway.com) is a concept artist and illustrator with an interest in stylization and social change through art. They currently work full time in video games, but their art has also appeared in comic anthologies, children's apps, and the sticker wall of that one pizza place in San Francisco. Brann was born and raised in the DC metro area but would later move to New York City, Albany, Miami, and finally Oakland, where they reside for now. Their interests include dogs and independently owned doughnut shops, particularly those that carry a strawberry frosted flavor. You can follow Brann on Twitter and Instagram @milkyawayart.

Reviews

Praise for Between Shades of Gray:

“A superlative first novel. A hefty emotional punch.”--The New York Times Book Review

“Few books are beautifully written, fewer still are important; this novel is both.”--The Washington Post

"Beautiful…a superb though grueling novel.”--The Wall Street Journal

“An eye-opening reimagination of a very real tragedy written with grace and heart.”--Los Angeles Times

“An engrossing and poignant story of the fortitude of the human spirit in a dark time in Lithuanian history.”--Associated Press

 “Brave Lina is a heroine young and old readers can believe in.”--Entertainment Weekly

 “Please read this small window into a tragedy.”--NPR

“Beautifully written and researched, it captures the devastation of war while celebrating the will to survive.”--Family Circle

* “A harrowing page-turner.”--Publishers Weekly, starred review

* “A gripping story.”--School Library Journal, starred review

* “Bitterly sad, fluidly written…Sepetys' flowing prose gently carries readers.”--Kirkus, starred review

* "Beautifully written and deeply felt…an important book that deserves the widest possible readership.”--Booklist, starred review

“A haunting chronicle, demonstrating that even in the heart of darkness ‘love is the most powerful army.'”--The Horn Book Magazine

“Stalin deported and murdered millions, but he could not destroy the seeds of memory, compassion, and art that they left behind. From those seeds, Ruta Septeys has crafted a brilliant story of love and survival that will keep their memory alive for generations to come.”--Laurie Halse Anderson, bestselling author of Speak and Wintergirls

“In terrifying detail, Ruta Sepetys re-creates World War II coming of age all too timely today. Between Shades of Gray is a document long overdue.”--Richard Peck, Newbery Award–winning author of A Year Down Yonder

“Between Shades of Gray is a story of astonishing force. I feel grateful for a writer like Ruta Sepetys who bravely tells the hard story of what happens to the innocent when world leaders and their minions choose hate and oppression. Beautiful and unforgettable.”--Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Newbery Honor–winning author of Hitler Youth

“Sepetys has penned a harrowing and heartbreaking novel. Beautifully written and important.”--Harlan Coben, international bestselling author of Shelter