It sounds awful to say that I really enjoyed this book especially when you learn that it is about the sadness and horror of a family from Lithuania being sent to Siberia in the 1941 Stalinist purge that happened in the Baltic nations of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. It was a brutal, inhumane suppression of people. The narrator is the main character, Lina, a fifteen year old girl who has been nutured in a home that encourages her artistic talent and intelligence. Lina is such a realistic character, coping with the conflicting emotions and confusions that came with being a victim of this regime. I also loved Lina's mother's determination to try to be positive and not let her circumstances rob her or her children of their dignity. Strength pf character is personified in this character.Not surprisingly this is a New York times best seller - it has its own website where you can read excerpts and read how Ruta Sepetys was inspired to write this account of people lost in a silent war.
Take a look at this great review on yareads from Christine.
This book and its characters will stay long in my memory.