Out of the Dust facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Karen Hesse |
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| Illustrator | Daniel Mullins |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical Fiction |
| Publisher | Scholastic Press |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 227 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | 0-590-36080-9 (first edition, hardback) |
| OCLC | 36123638 |
| LC Class | PZ7.H4364 Ou 1997 |
Out of the Dust is a special kind of novel called a verse novel. It was written by Karen Hesse and first came out on January 1, 1997. This book tells a powerful story through poems, making it unique and memorable.
Contents
A Story from the Dust Bowl
This book takes place during the Dust Bowl, a tough time in American history. It was the 1930s, and huge dust storms swept across the Great Plains. These storms made farming very difficult. The main character is a girl named Billie Jo. She lives on a farm in Oklahoma with her parents.
Life on the Farm
Billie Jo's father really wanted a son, but he loves Billie Jo very much. He treats her in a strong, tough way, almost like the son he never had. Life on their farm is hard because of the dust storms. These storms make it almost impossible for farmers to grow wheat, which is how they make a living. The dust covers everything and makes life very challenging.
Government Help During Hard Times
During this period, the U.S. government tried to help people. President Franklin D. Roosevelt started programs called the New Deal. These programs aimed to assist farmers and others across the country. Billie Jo's father even took a loan to try and start a new bread shop. However, the constant dust storms made it hard for anything new to succeed.
A Tragic Accident
One day, a terrible accident changes Billie Jo's life forever. Her pregnant mother was making breakfast. Her father had left a pail of kerosene near the stove. Her mother mistakenly thought it was water and picked it up, leading to a fire.
The Aftermath
In the panic, Billie Jo tried to help. She threw the can of kerosene out the door, but tragically, her mother was running back to the house at that moment. The kerosene landed on her mother's apron, causing her to catch fire. Billie Jo bravely tried to put out the flames with her bare hands. Her mother was badly burned and taken to the doctor. Billie Jo's own hands were also severely burned and swollen.
A few days later, Billie Jo's mother passed away while giving birth to a baby boy. The baby lived only for a few moments before also passing away. They were buried on a hill. Billie Jo named her baby brother Franklin, after the president.
Moving On
After these sad events, Billie Jo and her father grew distant. Billie Jo stopped calling him "Daddy." Her burned hands meant she could no longer play the piano, which was one of her greatest joys. As time passed, Billie Jo noticed strange spots on her father's face, similar to what her grandfather had when he had skin cancer.
A Journey and a Return
Billie Jo felt desperate to escape the dust and the sadness. One night, she decided to leave home with only a few biscuits. She rode on a train and met a kind, homeless man. They talked for a while, and he showed her a picture of his family. When she woke up, her biscuits were gone, but the man had left his family picture behind. This experience helped Billie Jo understand how much she belonged at home.
After about a week, Billie Jo returned. She convinced her father to see a doctor about the spots on his face. She even called him "Daddy" again, showing that their bond was starting to heal.
A New Beginning
Billie Jo then met Louise, a woman who had been staying with her father while Billie Jo was away. Billie Jo respected Louise because she understood how to be part of their lives without trying to replace her mother. Billie Jo and Louise talked, and eventually, Billie Jo's father and Louise began dating. This marked a new chapter for Billie Jo and her father, as they slowly started to trust each other and build a new life.
