Bibliographic Citation
Hesse,
K. (1997). Out of the dust. New York,
NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780590360807. 227 p.
Summary
Thirteen-year-old
Billie Jo Kelby lives with her mother and father in 1930s Oklahoma in the midst
of the Dust Bowl. Although they have little money and must live with dust
covering every inch of everything including their food, the family remains
strong. Billie Jo is a piano prodigy who loves to play and travel with a band
until a tragic accident occurs. Her hands are burned beyond recognition and her
pregnant mother is devastatingly injured when a bucket of kerosene is mistaken
for water. Billie Jo must live with the guilt of her role in the accident and
the anger she feels toward her father for his role. Can Billie Jo and her
father weather the storms of dust and resentment?
Analysis
Written
in free verse, this novel’s strength is the beauty of the poetry. It tells such
a sad and devastating story, but the poetry itself is beautifully and
hauntingly written. My favorite poem was the staccato “On Stage” in which
Billie Jo narrates the joy she feels while playing the piano. In a book filled
with sadness, this poem expresses a small moment of happiness. While I did
appreciate learning more about the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, I was
just so sad for Billie Jo throughout the book. The end does offer a glimmer of hope,
but overall, this book was just too depressing for me to enjoy. It is easy to
read and I read it very quickly, so it could be read by middle school or high
school students. The fact that the book is written in free verse may appeal to
struggling or reluctant readers. I would recommend that some of the poems be shared
with history classes to give students an emotional connection to the Dust Bowl.
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