Out of the Dust

Out of the Dust

Written by: Karen Hesse

"Set in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl, this is the story of 14 year old Billie Jo. Told in diary form as a series of free-verse poems, the book is a realistic portrait of the Depression-era with entries dated from the winter of 1934 through the winter of 1935. Readers explore the hardships of living on a family wheat farm. Billie Jo's mother dies after an accident with burning kerosene and Billie Jo blames herself and her father for her mother's death. Billie Jo is a talented pianist, but is reluctant to play after burns scar her hands. She leaves home, but soon learns how much "dust" is a part of her. We can almost feel the heat, dust, and wind as she struggles to survive a difficult time."

Publishers Description

Online Resources:
http://eduscapes.com/newbery/98a.html