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My absolute favorite genre to read is Historical fiction, especially WWII historical fiction. Therefore, I found myself only exploring these types of text memories while reading this book, and almost had a block to any other genre. Are there any texts, which would not fall under WWII historical fiction that you found comparison in as you read? What drew you to those other texts? (emotional similarity, character trait, region of the world?)

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I related well to Lina, in a creative artistic sense, as I may also have spent time drawing or creating (whether on paper or in my mind) what she experienced. Art, doodling, and creative projects have always interested me, as well as the study of artists and their work. Did you find yourself connecting to any characters more than others because of interests or past experiences?

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In Between Shades of Gray a new (to many) portrayal of genocide and forced labor is presented, and parallels in many ways what people are so familiar with in the Nazi Holocaust. Do themes and events spark any other comparison to genocides, civil war, or current unrest in other nations/history?

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The stories of Lithuanians forced into labor, or killed, by Stalin's NKVD (later the KGB), as Stalin pushed to take over much of Eastern Europe so closely mirror those of Hitler and his quest to make an Armenien Race. There are so many similarities, from long trains of prisoners journeying for weeks (and many deaths along the way) to forced labor, senseless death, and forced starvation. It is fascinating that as the book notes Stalin took Lithuania only to have Hitler move in and occupy it, systematically killing hundreds of thousands of Jewish residents.

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Lina documents her story and the stories of all who she travels along her "journey" with in drawings and short writings, which she hides (or sends to her papa to provide a map for him to find her). This connects with The Diary of Ann Frank who similarly documents her "journey" in hiding in a diary. the diary is later found by her father who is the only one to return to the Annex after being liberated. Lina's writings are also found after the war, and her subsequent release (into further hardship) are requested by the finder to tell the story of Lithuanians who were made into criminals and held as hard labor slaves.

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The story opens (pg. 3-12) as Lina's home is about to invaded by officers, who demand they pack their things and come with them, they have 20 minutes. As they run around gathering what their mother has tasked as the essentials (warm clothes, socks), Lina worries about items such as her sketch book. Her mother ensures she has her coat, with valuables sewn inside, and proceeds to break the rest of their fine things. This reminds me of a very similar moment the the novel Sarah's Key. In this story the family is also summoned by a harsh knock on the door to gather their belongings and leave their home. Unlike in Between Shades of Gray though, instead of bringing along their prized possessions and valuables, Sarah locks the most valuable, her brother, in a cabinet to save him from the ensuing misunderstanding. She assumes she will be able to return to free him after all is cleared up.

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On page 159, Andrius begrudgingly explains to Lina why his mother and him seem to be living the high life the the NVTS barracks instead of the huts like everyone else. He says, "Because they threatened to kill me unless she slept with them. And if they get tired of her, they still might kill me. So how would you feel, Lina if your mother felt she had to prostitute herself to save your life". They makes me think of the vast issue of sex trafficking and sex slavery worldwide.  This issue seems to be getting closer and closer to our communities in WI as I have seen more new articles from communities like Kenosha who have been working to prevent it. (https://goo.gl/WDYMXB)  According to http://www.endslaverynow.org/learn/slavery-today/sex-trafficking many victims enter into sex promises with false promises of a better life, employment, housing etc.  In this can Andrius' mother is being held as a sex slave, and while she has agreed to it, to a point to make for a better life for her son, the deal also holds potential false promises, and can be null at any time.

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On page 79, we first are introduced to the oval stone that Andrius finds while on a bucket run to get food and water for his train car. As the story continues this oval stone represents luck and is passed from pocket to pocket among the core members of the train car as they continue their "journey". This relates to my life because my dad, who has cancer (in remission) carries a small oval worry stone in his pocket on a daily basis, for luck, for comfort and for a place to put his prayers. He is not without his stone often, but I also know if a family member needed it, he wouldn't hesitate to hand it over.