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Books similar to ‘I Must Betray You’ by Ruta Sepetys
In these historical coming-of-age novels, like Ruta Sepetys’ work, courageous protagonists summon all their strength to confront unspeakable hardships.
Published on January 16, 2024
All the Light We Cannot See: A Novel
Anthony DoerrAccording to her official Goodreads Author page, Ruta Sepetys, author of “I Must Betray You,” considers this book one of her all-time favorites. Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows the twin narratives of Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, and Werner, a German orphan recruited to the military, at the height of WWII. The story is haunting, the imagery of war-torn France beautiful, and the characters so rich in depth that devouring every page comes with the territory.
Firekeeper's Daughter
Angeline BoulleyBoulley spent 10 years crafting this exquisite YA thriller (her debut), and all that work paid off with numerous awards, including an Edgar Award. Daunis Fontaine is a biracial, unenrolled member of the Ojibwe tribe who’s determined to put an end to a new drug trafficking ring that’s devastating her community. Similar to “I Must Betray You,” “Firekeeper’s Daughter” explores a young person’s sacrifice for the greater good.
The Lost Year: A Survival Story of the Ukrainian Famine (National Book Award Finalist)
The Lost Year: A Survival Story of the Ukrainian Famine (National Book Award Finalist)
Katherine MarshMarsh's YA novel, “The Lost Year,” echoes Sepetys’: Both portray teenagers struggling in their day-to-day as external forces uproot their families. Under lockdown, 13-year-old Matthew and his mom wait in New York for his dad, who’s stuck in Paris after a journalism assignment due to the coronavirus pandemic. In Brooklyn, Matthew finds a box of memorabilia that belongs to his 100-year-old grandmother and stumbles upon a chilling secret from the Holodomor, a devastating famine in Soviet Ukraine in the 1930s.
Between Before and After
Maureen Doyle McQuerryIf you're in the mood for historical fiction with a hint of mystery, Dolye’s dual narrative on family secrets and generational wounds is for you. In 1918, Elaine becomes an orphan at age 15 and must support her brother alone. Three decades later, her teenage daughter, Molly, knows very little about her distraught mother and starts a desperate investigation into Elaine’s concealed past.
Within These Lines
Stephanie MorrillKnown as the “Seeker of Lost Stories,” Sepetys often explores overlooked historical events in her books. An example of one such event was the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, which “Within These Lines” explores. In this touching story by Stephanie Morrill, love becomes the sole beacon of hope for Taichi, a Japanese American boy who’s unjustly imprisoned. He’s determined to reunite with his beloved Evalina, who, in turn, risks everything to expose the injustice suffered by Taichi and his people.
We Own the Sky
Rodman PhilbrickLike Sepetys, Philbrick taps into personal family history to inspire his action-packed historical adventures. In 1924 Maine, orphans Davy and Jo work with stunt pilots amidst the Ku Klux Klan's rise. As racial tensions surge, and dangers threaten them on all fronts, the siblings become entangled in a Klan revenge plot and are held hostage. Will they escape alive?
The Diamond Eye: A Novel
Kate QuinnWhen the Germans invade Russia in 1937, Mila enlists in the army, where she soon earns the nickname “Lady Death” for how well she knows her way around a sniper rifle. Inspired by a real female sharpshooter in World War I, historical fiction fans will enjoy the vodka-swigging, humorous Mila and the vividly written cast of characters she encounters throughout her extraordinary life, including Eleanor Roosevelt. “I Must Betray You” and this book by Kate Quinn share a striking political depth.
The Light in Hidden Places
Sharon CameronYou’ll be inspired by this novel based on the true story of Stefania Podgorska, a teenager living in Poland during World War II. Podgorska manages to conceal 13 of her Jewish neighbors during the war, despite rising suspicions of her behavior and the need to make a life-changing decision. Similar to Sepetys, Cameron captures the hearts of readers of all ages by exploring the ramifications of complex moral dilemmas faced by brave young characters.