Out of the Dust: Karen Hesse

Out of the Dust is a historical fiction story about a girl, Billie Jo, born during the Dust Bowl of the Americas. She is from a poor family, and the book tells of her struggles during this time. She plays the piano well, but loses a lot of her spirit when her mother dies. The book is written in free verse and set up like a diary. I read this book when I was younger as well, and when re-reading it, remembered how vivid I felt like this particular style of prose was. When she describes her farm, herself, her hands, you can see them in your own mind. Her spirit is never broken, even when she burns her hands. The style of writing is one that I feel would challenge older students, breaking apart their stereotypes of what writing and literature is, making them see how it is something that is fluid and beautiful. I think this book would be great in any classroom in upper elementary, because the language is beautifully written and it tells of a time in American history where our citizens struggled. I think the diary organization also helps students see how her life changes day to day.