Joanna

Joanna asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hi Ruta, I remember you visited my school (International School of the Sacred Heart in Tokyo, Japan) last year and I just want to say what a riveting book it was. I wanted to ask- how were you able to capture the details of life on the train and at the camp? How were you able to get in contact with survivors?

Ruta Sepetys Hi Joanna!

I loved visiting Sacred Heart in Tokyo and I hope to return soon!

I'm so happy that you enjoyed "Between Shades of Gray." In terms of the details and the survivors - a friend of mine who lives in Lithuania arranged for me to meet and interview many survivors. Those meetings were crucial. I wrote the book, but it's not my story. The story belongs to the people who experienced the terror and they shared personal details related to their journey. I then wrapped fictional characters around those details when building the plot for the novel and life on the train.

Hope that helps and thanks again!

Ruta

More Answered Questions

Cora Berry

Cora Berry asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hi Ruta! I first read "Out of the Easy" when my friend made me promise I would read it because she enjoyed it so much. After reading it I checked out "Between Shades of Gray" and could not put it down. I was absolutely taken by your writing and by Lina. I'm not sure I can put into words how much I liked it! Not going to lie, I cried for hours after finishing it. Did you always know you wanted a career as an author?

Emily W

Emily W asked Ruta Sepetys:

While Between Shades of Grey was set during a significant historical event (WWII), Out of the Easy does not seem to be in the same way. What made you choose the 1950s, and in particular a brothel, to write about?

A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Ruta Sepetys:

Hi! We were read "Between the Shades of Gray" in class last year and I adored it(although sadly can't say the same for my non-reader classmates)! The story is so beautiful and I am very excited to read "Salt to the Sea" and "Out of the Easy". I was wondering what made you want to write books about these different parts of history? Also, what makes you so into World War ll? It's one of my favorite things to study!

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