Salt to the Sea Lesson Plan

Interstitial People

Kind of Activity:

Creative Writing

Objective:

Students will think about the people whose stories the novel tells and doesn't tell.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3

Structure:

The New York Times Book Review said of Salt to the Sea, “... Ruta Sepetys acts as champion of the interstitial people so often ignored—whole populations lost in the cracks of history.” Use this quote as a lens through which to analyze and interpret the novel’s themes.

Consider the following discussion questions:

- How does the novel elevate overlooked stories and viewpoints from this period of history?

- What viewpoints were...