Salt to the Sea

Brutality of war is always hard to read about, especially when children are involved. Ruta Sepetys writes with such raw emotion that you feel what the characters are going through and what is happening around them. There were plenty of times I had to take a break as tears flowed and my brain needed time to process. I'm still processing...

Joana, a compassionate nurse, is trying to save everyone she sees hurting. Florian, a deserter, art thief and forger, is trying to make amends for past mistakes. Emilia, a sweet girl who has experienced horror and loss, is just trying to heal. Albert, a Nazi soldier, who has delusions far above his actual station, is trying to be a “good Nazi”.

During a journey towards what they hope will bring safety and distance from the war we follow Joana, Emilia and Florian (and the refugees they are traveling with) as they make their way to a town with hopes of boarding on a boat to freedom. Meanwhile Albert, who is at their destination, is readying the ship for departure while living in his own reality.

Even though this was definitely a heart-wrenching journey, the underlying facts are important and ones we should not forget.