Salt to the Sea

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Father constantly worried about me. He cried when he told me that he was sending me away to the Kleists’ farm in East Prussia for safety. I wanted to cry too. I wanted to scream and refuse. But it hurt so much to see him sad, losing all that he loved. So I assured him that he was right, it was for the best, and that I was not upset. I told him that we would see each other in a couple of year, when the war of winter turned to spring. Salt to the Sea also provides insight into what was once Prussia and how Poland fared during the war. Introduced to Lithuanian culture and history, I know that while traveling in Vilnius and Kaunas, I thought of Joana. Readers will learn a great deal about World War II, particularly about conditions on the Eastern Front as the Russian Army invaded. Historical details about what happened to the Poles and Prussians and Lithuanians and ethnic Germans throughout the area are explained. Thanks to Florian, readers will find out about the countless treasures the Nazis stole from other countries, such as Catherine the Great's Amber Room, once considered the Eighth Wonder of the World. Through Alfred's perspective, readers will learn about what Hitler Youth and Nazi true believers did to ensure loyalty to the Führer. And the entire book is a history lesson in the sinking of the German ship Wilhelm Gustloff.

Salt to the Sea Study Guide | GradeSaver Salt to the Sea Study Guide | GradeSaver

Joana is a survivor. She survived while other members of her family and other passengers on the Wilhelm Gustloff died. All she wants to do is help those around her. Yet as the Gustloff sinks she helpless in the face of such a terrible tragedy. All she can do is watch thousands of people die around her. The sinking of the Titanic may be the most infamous naval disaster in history, and the torpedoing of the Lusitania the most infamous in wartime. But with death counts of about 1,500 and 1,200 respectively, both are dwarfed by what befell the Wilhelm Gustloff, a German ocean liner that was taken down by a Soviet sub on Jan. 30, 1945, killing 9,343 people—most of them war refugees, about 5,000 of them children.

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Also known as “the wandering boy,” Klaus is a six-year-old boy German boy who joins the group of refugees after his grandmother dies. He becomes attached to Heinz, whom he follows around and calls grandfather. Hannelore Jäger Why are you so nervous?” said Eva. “You know you’re getting on a boat. You told me you’ve got a letter.” Plenty of role models, and others offer a realistic view of how self-absorbed most people can get in survival situations. Joana, Emilia, Florian, and the grandfatherly cobbler all act heroically and help, defend, or protect others. They do so even though they put themselves at risk by acting bravely. Ingrid, the blind refugee, sacrifices her safety to keep others safe. Desperation leads to more death and utter devastation. Emaciated pets wander the streets. Mothers attempt to throw babies on the ship, accidentally bouncing them off the sides to their early demise. Emilia’s father. A Polish academic and mathematician opposed to the Nazi’s treatment of Polish people, especially Polish children, whom they intended to deprive of an education. During the invasion of Poland by Soviet forces…

Alfred Frick Character Analysis in Salt to the Sea | LitCharts Alfred Frick Character Analysis in Salt to the Sea | LitCharts

a b Nance, Kevin (4 February 2016). "Ruta Sepetys on 'Salt to the Sea,' sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff". Chicago Tribune. I have many interpretations of the phrase ‘salt to the sea,” and towards the end of the novel, Sepetys uses that exact phrase in one of her chapters.This powerful, gorgeously written exploration of a little-known WWII tragedy proves why with only three books, Ruta Sepetys has emerged as a preeminent historical novelist in young adult literature. Salt to the Sea, which includes meticulously detailed author's notes, maps, and research and sources, is an ideal blend of historical facts, riveting drama, compelling characters, and suspense. Similar to when you watch Titanic for the first time, you know the ship is doomed but not exactly how the fictional characters will fare within that tragedy. In Joana, Emilia, and Florian, Sepetys has created three diverse characters who ultimately bond and care for each other. Once again, Sepetys adds touches of humor and romance to her history, and it works beautifully. A German refugee in her fifties who travels with Joana, the Poet, Ingrid, Klaus, and others. She is exceptionally tall, and exceptionally rude, often making offensive statements and attempting to mitigate… Warning: Salt To The Sea is not an easy read. But should you read it? YES! Why Salt To The Sea Is An Essential WW2 History Novel One of four narrators, Florian is a talented young restoration artist from East Prussia. He worked for the Nazis restoring European paintings. When he realizes the Nazis stole the art, he decides to take revenge by stealing the amber swan, Hitler's favorite piece from the Amber Room. Florian acts deceitfully and believes he is on a mission with this stolen piece of art. Later in the book, he shows himself as a kindhearted person and realizes that his act of revenge was pointless. Emilia Stozek

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Most would have fought to be “the one.” They would have insisted they ought to be “the one.” But Emilia had pushed the wandering boy into the boat, sacrificing herself for another. Where was she now? Had she gotten into a boat? I thought of frightened yet brave Emilia, and I started to cry. Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide. Get started Close Are you okay?” I asked, barely recognizing my own voice. His face twisted at the sound of my words.Thank you, sailor.” Her warm whisper lingered in my ear. She was quite pretty and smelled like fresh eggs, but there have been many grateful and pretty girls. Oh, do not be concerned. You and your red sweater are foremost in my thoughts. How fondly, how incessantly, I think of my Hannelore and red-sweater days.

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Salt to the Seais a title that I have quietly avoided for years. Drowning is one of my worst nightmares, and I struggle to read sinking ship stories. Chalk up this fear to a life of terrible swimming skills and awful childhood pool memories. Plus, boats make me yak. I stood and leaned over the side. Our lifeboat tipped toward the water. Everybody screamed. I reached down and grabbed the girl by her hair. She gripped my arm and I pulled her into the boat. She full, soaked and exhausted at our feet. One only has to read the author’s note at the end to realise that Sepetys has written about an often-overlooked historical disaster so that the memory of those who lost their lives in this tragedy are never forgotten. “When the survivors are gone, we must not let the truth disappear with them” she writes, “Please, give them a voice.” The hard-hitting conclusion is testament to this, when the characters are forced to forget their own personal struggles in a horrific struggle for survival. While the four main characters are all fictional, the events in this novel are all real and, needless to say, the historical accuracy is exemplary. Without cramming the novel with too much historical information or dull explanations, Sepetys is able to transport her readers to another time. Emilia is a young Polish girl who impersonates a dead Latvian woman to stay alive. Pregnant and scared, she has seen more atrocities than most. Like the red coat in Schindler’s List, readers will never forget Emilia’s pink hat in a grey world. 4. Alfred Once the youth arrive at the port, they face even more danger and hardships than on their trek there. Everyone wants to escape the Soviet soldiers, but there is not enough room.The story is told from four points of view: Joana is a Lithuanian refugee who was allowed to resettle in Germany; Emilia is a pregnant teenager who escaped the genocide that wiped out many of her fellow ethnic Poles and is trying to remain off the radar of roving German soldiers; Florian is a former art restorer from Prussia who is smuggling a priceless statue he has stolen from the Nazis as revenge after they killed his father; Alfred is a delusional Nazi soldier working on the Wilhelm Gustloff.