Thousands of refugees are fleeing the Russian Army near the end of World War II in East Prussia. Germans, Lithuanians, Polish and Croatians trek the roads, the forests and the fields – heading for the ports and the ships that are said to be coming to help them escape.

No-one trusts anyone, least of all Florian; an injured German with a tiny hidden parcel which if discovered will get him shot on the spot. Little does he know that when he goes to the aid of a young Polish girl, that his trek will no longer be a solitary one.

Through this 15 year-old-girl (Emilia) who has her own secrets, Florian meets others on the road. The wandering boy – only aged 6, who just wandered alone out of a forest. Ava – a giantess who says it like it is, an elderly shoemaker who is kind and wise about all matters of the feet, and Joana – a nurse who seems to be the leader of this hotchpotch group of humanity.

They face many horrors and hardships along the road, wary of each other’s motives and unspoken backgrounds. But it’s this time on the trek together that finally binds them when they need it most. Fighting for survival.

Salt to the Sea is based around the worst maritime disaster in history, (seven times worse than the Titanic). Compelling, heart wrenching and beautifully written in different points of view, it won the Carnegie Medal 2017,

The Golden Kite Award, and the Audie Award for Young Adults. A must read for historical fiction fans or anyone interested in World War II. The characters will be with me for a long time. A 10/10 for me.

Author – Ruta Sepetys

Age – 13+

(WWII, World War II, Escape, Refugee, War, Secrets, Forgery, Stolen Art, Prussia, Courage, Historical, Carnegie Award 2017, Multiple POV)