Literature Guide: Out of the Dust (Grades 4-8)

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Summary: Student review
Review: Out of the Dust is a relatively good book but it lacks substance. In the format Karen Hess has chosen to write this novel details become over shadowed by emotion, this in some cases is a good thing and in others a bad thing. Sometimes the occurrence of events are much too blended together because of the lack of details. But this format does allow the reader to become fully immersed in Billie jo's feelings. The other problem with this format is that the book becomes extremely short. Although it spans over two hundred and twenty seven pages most of the book is simply blank space. The story itself Is quite good, it describes the emotional experience of the dust bowl and the great depression. But I feel that any metaphors and emotions in this book is forced on to the reader too strongly. This leaves an impression of a simpleton's emotions by just yelling out what the characters are feeling. I personally would prefer that the book be written in a normal format. This is book is for those who find a certain ecstasy in emotions whether they be good or bad. I for one am not one of those people. So this is either a book you love or hate. And one of the characters I hate most is Billie Jo's dad (I don't even remember his name). Not just because he is somewhat demonized but because his mind and motives are much too simple. ... All and all you either hate it or love it.

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Summary: Out of the Book
Review: Dust. You can see it, taste it, feel it. It feels like needles on your skin. What will you do? How will you survive through this hell? What can you do? Then, you see a girl, about 14, running to a small farm house. You follow her, now knowing where she will take you.
You are instantly sucked into her story. Going through drought, dust, death. You are in the dust bowl, one of the worst times in American history. However, she always stands strong. She is a remarkable example of courage back when the idea was almost lost.
You are her diary. Her closest friend, her pal. She tells you everything, and you listen intently. You learn not only how to keep hoping, but about the dust bowl. It is a valuable history lesson. It is gripping, heart-wrenching. It will bring tears to your eyes. It was amazing.
"All of this in a book?" you ask. And I tell you. YES. It is an entire world in those pages. A planet. A quilt of memories, dreams, and fears. A web of courage, hope, and perseverance. An amazing story. It changed my view of many things. And, in my opinion, that was for the better.
Out of the Dust teaches so much about the dust bowl. The difficulty in living, the new deal, everything. It is a book for pleasure, a book for school, a book about life. It was worth every penny that was spent on it.
This book deserves more than one Newbery award. I wish it could get more than one. It teaches so much, in so few pages. It is a great example of the great American novel.
Out of the Dust was fantastic. I recommend it to anyone who likes good books. It is worth it. Out of the Dust was one of the best books that I have read. I wish that Karen Hesse would write more books. They provide good morals, and really change many ideas. In my opinion, it is even better than a Stein beck book. And that is saying quite a lot. It is definitely worth the cost. It will change your life. It changed mine.

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Summary: Out of the Dust Amazon Review
Review: Out of the Dust was a disappointment. I was disturbed by how poorly written it was. The plot is hard to follow, as this book is written from the perspective of a teenage girl. She can go on and on about nothing of any significance, distracting readers from the actual storyline.
If this were a movie, I'd call it a 'chick flick'. It is all about a girl and her feelings. Of course, it's possible that people will read it for it's historical, rather than literary, significance. As for that, I'd stick with Steinbeck. His works are full of history, and they don't look like a 14-year-old wrote them.
Out of the Dust has little or no historical teachings. It's all about the girl-I pity those who are forced to read this for it's history lessons. The book doesn't talk about why-it talks about what. This is what happened. This is what I thought about it. I'm going to paint my nails bright red. That's basically what the book sounds like. No explanations, just blah.
Don't get me wrong. As badly written as this book is, is has a moral. It has a plot, no matter how hard it is to follow. The girl must have had incredible courage do what she did in the circumstances that she did it in took incredible courage, drive and stamina.
But then again, that's been done to death. Most books with underlying morals like that have something along those lines. Some of them are written like a teen would; others seem more professional. This book is, at best, middle of the run. How it won a Newberry, I don't know. If Hesse can do it, then I guess that literally anyone can.
I read the reviews, then read the book. ....Better to spend the money on true Great Depression historical literature-I highly recommend any one of Steinbeck's works for that purpose.

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Summary: So What?
Review: Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust is not such a good read. Had I gone to a bookstore or a library, I would never have picked this book off the shelf to read voluntarily. However, since my History and English classes required it, I had no choice whether to read it or not. Having read it, I am not anxious to read it again or read any other books by Karen Hesse.
I gave this book three stars because it was not torture to read, yet it was not good. It was simply something to read - something to eat up idle time. The only time I ever really cared about this book was when the accident occurred. At that point I felt sympathy for Billie Jo and her family, but almost no other feelings came to me during this book. It was not chicken-soup for the soul.
I think this book was a good read for history class as it gave you a good sense of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. I learned much from this book, yet it was definitely not a pleasure read. If I were a history teacher, I would definitely pick this book off the shelf for my students despite the fact they most likely will not enjoy reading it.
The whole book was very descriptive about dust storms, rain, crops, etc. This really helped to give me a sense of what life was like during the Great Depression. Also, I liked how the historical content was embedded into the story. It was not all facts, but facts disguised within the life of Billie Jo. This book briefly covered all that is required in the Virginia State SOLs for 7th grade on the Great Depression. It covered impacts on Americans, causes of the Great Depression, and the major features of the New Deal. If you had just read this book before the SOLs, most likely you would fail, but this adds on to what you learn in class. For example, in one passage it is what Miss Freeland (Billie Jo's teacher) taught them one day. Billie Jo does not say straight out in her journal entry that what she is teaching them is the causes of the Great Depression and the dust bowl, but if the reader is aware of this, they can easily make the connection. Also, this description of the causes is clearer and better explained than anything my teachers have told me. I understood it better when I was reading it out of the book. In addition, Out of the Dust has some information about the New Deal. The first time as I was reading it, I did not catch this information but as I went back and re-read it I caught it. When you see it you kind of want to go "ooooooh, now I get it!" and you feel intelligent.
One thing that confused me is how the book itself is written. It is from the point of view of Billie Jo, yet it never says it is a journal or diary. The way that the whole book is in free verse poems make me think that maybe it is Billie Jo's thoughts, scattered and almost disorganized. However, the way things are described in the book make me want to believe it is a diary. I think this because almost everything is in past tense. So, is she actually writing what you are reading, or is she just thinking back on things? When finished with the book I did not know the answer to this question, and as of now, I still don't.
Overall, Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse, fell into the "so what?" category. I read it and learned, the end. It is not a book I would recommend to my friends, or anyone. Yet it is not a book I would complain about for weeks, like "oh this book is so horrible" and on and on. It was just "so what?" and nothing more.

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Summary: Out of the Dust Review
Review: Out of the Dust is a very well-written book and I really enjoyed it. Karen Hesse has an amazing talent and can write beautiful poetry. I loved the way some of the journal entries were formed. the words seemed to flow through the page. I especially liked the entry entitled "On Stage." the words in my opinion are shaped in the form of a piano and certain words are left alone and really emphasize the way the poem sounds. I think the Newberry medal went to the right book. This book was a great thing to read and had wonderful descriptions. We had to read Out of the Dust for a history assignment. At first I thought that it would be dull and boring, but the more I read the more interested I became. The book is a great learning device also. I could clearly understand the Great Depression after reading this book and it is very easy to comprehend. Out of the Dust was an ALA Notable Children's Book, and it was also an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. I agree with that because the book is easy to understand, no too long, and you can relate it to your own life. The book can be read and enjoyed by both children and adults. I also really like poetry, and because this book is a book completely written in verse I enjoyed trying to absorb the writing. I also play the piano, just like Billie Jo, and after reading Karen Hesse's novel I realized that I should keep pursuing the art of piano because like Billie Jo I might not be able to play one day. This book is a great history lesson. Students can learn about the Depression and how it affected the lives of many Americans, the Dust Bowl and the way it swept dust over the ground and into the homes of the occupants. They will also understand the hardships of farming, eating, sleeping, and living in the dust. They would also be able to understand FDR's New Deal and the foundations included in it. I really enjoyed this book and it definitely should have received the Newberry Medal, I would definitely recommend this book to any audience.

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Summary: In the Dust of Appreciated Literature
Review: Out of the Dust is one of the most original books I have ever read. Karen Hesse illustrates life in the Dust Bowl in the 1930s splendidly and with the knowledge of the power of words. Unfortunately for Hesse, although her writing is very good, it seems many kids won't appreciate it to its fullest.
Set in the Oklahoma Panhandle, Billie Jo is a twelve-year-old girl with a passion for music and the face of her farmer father. The book is the story of Billie Jo and how the Great Depression affects her life. Written in poetic journal entries this book is very unique and a good read.
Although, with reality comes depression. Billie Jo lives a very difficult life and for those who like the upbeat books of Shel Silverstein, Out of the Dust is definitely in the dust for them. With her mother dead along with her baby brother, Billie Jo must fine common ground with her distant father.
Despite her living circumstances I find some kids may relate to Billie Jo and her many hardships. For those who have relationship problems with a parent, or a passion for just about anything, reading Out of the Dust, can be a reference for how to deal with your problem or persevere to do your best.
Not only is the book a lesson for life but a lesson of history. Hesse subtly teaches the reader about the 1930s, the president Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal, the national problems of the Great Depression and its affect on Billie Jo's family and friends. The book is a lesson, not a lecture, and educational for any audience.
Not only is Out of the Dust a look into the past, it's a more positive way to look at the present. After reading Hesse's novel one better understands the value of life in the present (in comparison to the lives of millions during that period). Whether you are a fantasy or historical book buff, I think you'll find this book an excellent read and one of the more superior historical fiction novels. This novel is for those with a certain taste for literature. For me, it deserves its Newberry Medal and a round of applause.

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Summary: History & Reality Combine!
Review: In my opinion "Out of the Dust" was an excellent book. I think this since it uses the facts from the Great Depression and the visual imagery of the Dust Bowl all together. As a student reading from textbooks gets boring. When I was told my assignment to read it I was curious about it. After I read it I realized it taught me a different way of looking at history since it is written in diary format. It had a great plot filled with hope, courage, and bravery. I feel that this book is a wonderful book for anyone to read no matter what their age is.
The more I read the book the more catchy the book was. It had an excellent beginning that really pulled me in and made me want to read on. It started out with a 12 year old red-head, named Billie Jo Kelby, living in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Billie Jo and her ma play excellent piano and Billie Jo often plays for Arley Wanderdale (her music teacher) during concerts. At that time there was a great deal of huge dust-storms in the area and so everything was covered in dust. The family of three (ma, pa, and Billie Jo) lived on a farm trying to grow wheat. With the dust storms and the dry weather everywhere it's almost impossible to grow anything.
As the family struggles through the hard times a baby is on its way. Pa hopes it's a boy but they won't know till later. Billie Jo witnesses death, fire, loss of her best friend, and the loneliness in her heart someone she loves dies. Billie Jo has to work with the rest of her family to make it through the storms, the drought, and hands that can no longer play piano. Read the book to see how everything turns out!
The characters are well developed with their own unique personalities. I enjoyed how realistic the book was since it was based on history. Karen Hesse made the book come alive. She made the characters, the conflicts, the scenery all come alive.
"Out of the Dust" really shows a lot of morals that kids should learn to follow. Some of those are that family is always important even if you can't relate with each other its still the reality that you tried to relate , and tried to care about each other. It also taught the reader that you need to be strong and brave even when times are really dark and don't look like they'll get better. This means that no matter what happens try to work through the bad things and remember the good things that you had and strive to have those again.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book a lot since it was real history, lively, and just fun. I recommend this book to anyone that likes history and a fun-filled adventure full of love for each other, courage, bravery, and just a nice book to sit down with. It is also a fun book to read since the chapters are written as poetry. Each chapter is a little part of Billie Jo's life. "Out of the Dust" is a really good book for young and old readers and I encourage you to read it. If you've already read it read it over again and keep it's morals close to your heart.

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Summary: Out of the Dust critique
Review: Set in Oklahoma, this is a story of a 14-year-old girl called Billie Jo. This novel is told in diary form as a series of free-verse poems. Her father and mother struggled through hard financial times on the farm. Nothing would grow so many people died of drought, starvation and of diseases such as dust pneumonia. Billie Jo's life is tough because of all the economical and social disasters. Her mom dies after a terrible accident and her brother Franklin also dies right after he was born. Her mother dies because one day her father put a pail of kerosene next to the stove. Her mother mistakes it for water so she put it on the stove to boil. Suddenly there is a lot of fire and Billie Jo's mom runs outside to get her husband. Billie Jo comes in and grabs the pail of kerosene. As she does this she severely burns her hands. She throws the pail outside at the same time her mother is coming back inside. Immediately the flames engulf her mother killing her and the baby. This part made me really sad because I never expected this so there is also some suspense in Out of the Dust. Billie Jo hates the dust storms but loves playing the piano. Her dream of playing the piano unfortunately doesn't come true because after all the scars she has on her hands, it is impossible to play the piano. This book is able to teach about the Dust Bowl and its impact on the every day lives of Americans. The free verse poems give sparity to the text so it is fairly quick to read. I gave this book five stars because it is a great book and the vocabulary is very simple so you can understand it easily. This book clearly states all about the Great Depression and how Americans felt about the dust storms. Overall this is an excellent book and I honestly recommend it to you, your child or if you're a teacher then read it to your class. This book is mostly intended for kids in 5th grade and up. Thanks for reading.

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Summary: Out of the Dust-Short & Sweet
Review: This novel tells a great story of how life was during the Great Depression. It gives hope to those who have none. It shows true talent through vivid poetry and descriptions.
I feel that every student should read this novel because it is an excellent source of information on life during the Great Depression. It tells how the Great Depression impacted average-day working Americans and their families.
It tells a story of Billie Jo a long legged red haired girl that lived in the city of Panhandle. She is very talented with the piano but stops playing after a devastating accident when her father left kerosene next to the stove. She had lost her mother and became total strangers with her father. People tell her that it was not her fault but when she turns her back they point their fingers and blame her. She is mad because no one blames her father, who she thought was the one who really deserved the blame because he left the bucket of kerosene next to the stove.
Dust storms constantly cause damage to her home and the homes of many other people. She gets tired and runs away. Out of Panhandle and out of the dust.
She hitches a ride on a train where she meets a hobo. The hobo tells her about his family and how much he misses them. That makes her realize how much she misses her father. She returns to Panhandle where she finally persuades her father to cut off the cancerous spots.
She later meets Louise, her fathers teacher at night school. While Billie Jo had been gone, she had kept her father company. She doesn't accept the fact that there is another woman in her father's life, but gradually she starts to like Louise.
The doctor checks her scars and gives her some ointment. She uses it for a while and starts to stretch her scars. Later she remembers how to play the piano.
In the end Billie Jo, her father, and Louise become sort of like a family. The New Deal helps her father to grow wheat and make money again. And she gains hope. She becomes closer to Louise and they become more like family as her skills with the piano grows too.
In my opinion, this is a great novel to read and is an excellent source of information of how life was during the Great Depression. I truly believe that this is one of the most remarkable pieces of literature in the world.

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Summary: My awesome Review of "Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse
Review: I just finished reading the novel, Out of the Dust, by Karen Hesse. I was assigned the book, to read for my History and English class. I had already read the book in fourth grade, but didn't really understand it (I wasn't really interested in it). So, when I was assigned the book to read, I wasn't exactly excited.
But I was very surprised when we began to read-- it was actually pretty interesting. The story was clearer than it had been before and I enjoyed the touching story of a girl in the dust bowl during the Great Depression. The story is written like a diary except that the diary entries were free verse poems. Its not like those other "Famous people" diaries out there, but a book of poetry that all come together into a story about a girl. Billie Jo, the main character, is a tall, lanky girl with a few family issues to work out, and an accident that she would remember and regret for a long, long time.
But the book did sort of disappoint me. I didn't really care for the parts that included stuff like little things that happened in her town. There were a few poems in the book that did bore me a little, but once they were over, I was back into the book. But I probably would have enjoyed the book a lot more, had I not read it until now. Throughout reading the book, I vaguely remembered the main parts of the story and the main points couldn't surprise me. Go be surprised and read this book! You'll learn a lot more about the real feelings in the people negatively affected by the Great Depression. "Out of the Dust" really revealed a lot about the Depression to me, and taught me a little more than the textbook. I'm glad I read it, and you will be too.