Salt to the Sea
by Ruta Sepetys

This young adult novel is yet another book of outstanding historical fiction account by this author.  It is written from the perspective of four people:  Emilia (a pregnant Polish refugee), Florian (a Prussian on a secret mission), Joana (a Lithuanian nurse), and Alfred (a German soldier).  Emilia, Florian, and Joana meet during their journey to Gotenhafen with the hope of escape from Germany in 1945 at the end of WWII.  They reach their destination where they meet Alfred who helps them secure passage onto the ship Wilhelm Gustloff. Most modern day people have never heard of the Wilhelm Gustloff, despite the fact that its sinking was the biggest maritime tragedy in history, far surpassing the Titanic or Lusitania. I cannot recommend this book highly enough for both teen and adult readers.

Editor’s note: for background information about the Wilhelm Gustloff, here’s a link to the recent NPR story.

Vivian Apple at the End of the World
by Katie Coyle

Vivian Apple comes home after a party only to discover that both her parents are gone. Her parents, along with many other Believers, were supposedly saved on the predicted Rapture date.  Vivian is left, along with her best friend Harp, wondering if this supposed Rapture is real. One night after a strange phone call, Vivian decides to go on a road trip in search of answers, accompanied by Harp and Peter, a newfound friend.