Ruta Sepetys (www.rutasepetys.com) is an internationally acclaimed, #1Ā New York TimesĀ bestselling author of historical fiction published in over sixty countries and forty languages. Sepetys is considered a "crossover" novelist, as her books are read by both teens and adults worldwide. Her novelsĀ Between Shades of Gray,Ā Out of the Easy, andĀ Salt to the SeaĀ have won or been shortlisted for more than forty book prizes, and are included on more than sixty state award lists.Ā Between Shades of GrayĀ was adapted into the filmĀ Ashes in the Snow, and her other novels are currently in development for TV and film. Winner of the Carnegie Medal, Ruta is passionate about the power of history and literature to foster global awareness and connectivity. She has presented to NATO, to the European Parliament, in the United States Capitol, and at embassies worldwide. Ruta was born and raised in Michigan and now lives with her family in Nashville, Tennessee. Follow her on Twitter @RutaSepetysĀ and Instagram @RutaSepetysAuthor.