Among Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, is one of the most famous historical fiction books ever written. This 352-page book inspired many teenagers to recognize the genocide of the Baltic peoples. Ruta Sepetys was inspired to write a fiction book rather than a non-fiction book based on the stories she heard from genocide survivors while visiting her relatives in Lithuania. He interviewed dozens of people during his stay. Between Shades of Gray was his first novel that he had written. This book was well enough read by readers to become a New York Times bestseller. Lina Vilkas is a fifteen year old girl who is the protagonist of this story. She was taken by the NKVD from her home with her mother and brother into exile. Later in the story she meets Andrius and falls in love with him. She marries him after the war while moving from place to place. Andrius uses his bad luck as good fortune to help others. He takes care of Lina and her family as best he can. Nikolai Kretzsky is a young NKVD officer who helps Lina and her mother even after Lina insults him. Mr. Stalas is a Jew who is deported along with other people. He wanted to die with dignity. He is often referred to as the bald man. He confesses that he was responsible for the deportation. Janina is a starry-eyed little girl who enjoys helping others and talking to her "dead" doll. When a select few people are taken to the North Pole for further suffering, dozens die of cholera and pneumonia. Lina, however, survives and manages to save Jonas and Janina with the help of Nikolai Kretzsky. Between Shades of Gray is based on these people and how they survived the suffering which makes the reader interested. The story begins with Lina...... at the center of the card...... of this story there is the will to survive. The will to survive is strong in all the characters, even if some seem to expect death at any moment. Lina is furious with herself when she stooped low enough to accept the food the guards threw at her, but she does it anyway. Even the youngest children realize the need to endure torture and survive. Jonas finds a barrel and realizes it could be turned into a stove. Janina finds a dead owl and realizes that it might be eaten. This will to survive sometimes translates into anger and selfishness, as seen in Ulyushka when she is forced to share her shack with Lina's family. This book should be read by everyone. Between Shades of Gray has many useful themes for people in their lives. The writing style would keep the reader interested and make the reader want to know what will happen next.