Winner of the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2017. It is early 1945, and a group of people is wandering through Germany, united by their desperation to reach the ship that can take them away from the war-torn country. Four young individuals, each haunted by their own dark secret, share their unforgettable stories. Fans of "The Book Thief" or Helen Dunmore's "The Siege" will be completely captivated. This inspiring novel is based on a true story from World War II. When the German ship Wilhelm Gustloff was sunk in the harbor in early 1945, over 9,000 civilian refugees, including children, were on board. Almost all of them drowned. Ruta Sepetys, the acclaimed author of "Between Shades of Gray," brilliantly presents their story. 'Ruta Sepetys is a master of historical fiction' - Elizabeth Wein, author of "Code Name Verity.".