Out Of The Dust (Apple Signature Edition) Review

	Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks Author(s): Karen Hesse ISBN: 0590371258 EAN: 9780590371254 Binding: Paperback Pages: 240 Reading Level: Young Adult Average Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars	Retail Price: ~~$6.99~~ Online Sale Price: $6.99 This item qualifies for Free Super Saver Shipping!
Features: CHILDRENS BOOKS & MUSIC Childrens Books Language Arts

A poem cycle that reads as a novel, "Out of the Dust" tells the story of Billie Jo, a girl who struggles to help her family survive the dustbowl years of the Depression. Fighting against the elements on her Oklahoma farm, Billie Jo takes on even more responsibilities when her mother dies in a tragic accident. A testament to the American spirit, this novel is an instant classic. Awards include Newbery Medal, Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, "Publishers Weekly" Best Book of the Year, "School Library Journal" Best Book of the Year, "Booklinks" Best Book of the Year, 1998 ALA Notable Children's Book, and a 1998 ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

User Submitted Out Of The Dust (Apple Signature Edition) Reviews

November 28, 2008
Gritty, Emotional Realism
Written as a collection of free-verse poems by a teenaged girl in the Oklahoma panhandle during the Depression, Out of the Dust is a masterpiece of historical fiction. It definitely deserves the Newbery Medal that it won in 1998. The teenaged emotions are pure, and believable. The imagery was so vivid that I formed a new understanding of the Dust Bowl. I admit, I was a little skeptical about the free-verse, and only picked up the book late at night with the intention of tasting the first few pages. I read it in one sitting.

Although I am artistic enough now to feel the gritty emotion and visualize the imagery which would have been impossible to communicate in mere prose, I am certain I would not have appreciated it as a child. I also abhorred depressing books when I was younger. Fifteen years later, I still shudder at memories of reading The Red Pony, The Call of the Wild, and Where the Red Fern Grows when I was a young teen. This book would have been no different. I am also concerned that many youths would not understand the historical context of the Dust Bowl Depression era. As such, I think this book would be a fantastic supplement to an American History class. Reading such a book will help students visualize the tragic past instead of merely recounting the facts.

July 6, 2008
Exaggeratingly Sad book
The book is written in nice,figurative language, but it is far too sad. The book starts out like not such a bad story, but then suddenly it hits this spot with terrible sadness and frustration. Yet, it gives far too many details of how terribly some of the people in the story die. Basically what happens in this story in the sad part is when 2 people accidentally make dangerous, careless mistakes, which lead to the killing of 2 other people. When I got to that part, I felt like not reading this book anymore. I can't believe this book received about ten awards.

June 18, 2008
Excellent book for young readers
This book is well written, and the only book my 9 year old has ever asked for.

May 14, 2008
One of my favorites.
The first time I read this book was in fourth grade, and it has been a favorite ever since. Like previously stated, it is not the most uplifting of stories, but you can't expect everything to be pleasant and delightful all the time. I honestly would reccommend this to someone of any age to read atleast once.

May 11, 2008
Out of the Dust
I read this book for the first time this year and wondered why I didn't have to read it in when I was in school. The main character Billi Jo has to over come a lot and does a wonderful job of it. This could teach so much to young readers. I strongly believe that this book be in the schools as a required read.

May 11, 2008
Don't let this book collect dust!
Out of Dust is a book every young reader in American needs to read. Written in poetry form, Karen Hesse's book reveals the year long evolution of fourteen year old Billie Jo. Set in Oklahoma's Dust Bowl during the Great Depression, the story exposes the raw emotions of a young girl as she struggles to survive the most haunting experience of her life. This story will help experienced young readers, ages 11-13, understand the complexity of life for children their own age during a historical era of our Nation's history. Whereas most recollections of the Great Depression are depicted through adult views, Out of Dust is told through the eyes of Billie Jo which will allow children to make a connection between the issues of the time and the ones they are dealing with today. This beautifully written book is an excellent introduction to the Great Depression and offers multiple opportunities for exploration of the era.

May 10, 2008
Not exactly uplifting, but certainly an important novel
This is one of the most powerful books written in quite some time for kids. It is not a happy book, but it holds so much hope, necessary for a piece written about the Great Depression, namely about those people stuck out in the Dust Bowl. The story is not written traditionally, but through a series of poems and journal entries hat take us through a section of life of a young girl and the personal tragedies and joys she experiences. I guarantee, it is a tissue book--while it's too depressing for me, the kind that prefers something cheerful, many should appreciate the rough heart that the story puts out.

April 16, 2008
Fantastic!
I read this book for a child lit class. Normally I am not a fan of historical American fiction, especially if it has to do with the west. This book was different. It made no mention of Native American mythology, cowboys or other common themes in books related to this genre. The characters and situations are not far fetched and any adult or child reading this can easily relate to the main characters. I think teachers should be make this required reading, rather than teaching John Steinbeck who often alienates teen readers.

April 15, 2008
Out Of The Dust Review
I thought that this book was an excellent piece of literature. This book was a touching story about a girl named Billy Jo. Her story is like many other children's that lived during the dust bowl. THe book was not only historical, it was very interestig too. It is an increadeble piece of work and it is sure to keep your eyes glued to every page.

April 14, 2008
Out of The Dust Review
Out of the Dust is a very emotional book that is both very touching and despairing. Written in free-verse style Karen Hesse's poetic tale sweeps you away into the past where hope blossoms like apple buds in the rain and then withers, dies, and blows away with the dust.

Fourteen-year-old Billie Jo Kelby's whole life has been about the music that flows from her fingers when she sits down and plays the piano and her endless struggle to survive the harsh life of a farmer's daughter in the Dust Bowl in the Oklahoma Panhandle. With her mother pregnant and the dust storms savaging her father's hard work, all she can do is hope that her father would get the son he always wanted, and the harvest will be enough to get them through the hard times.

A tragic accident scars Billie Joe's already brutal life forever leaving her with the feeling of the most overwhelming isolation she has ever known. As her only passion is ruthlessly torn away from her, all she wants is to go away forever; out of the dust. This series of poems carefully depicts Billie Joe's life as told from her point of view as she ultimately learns an important lesson that can heal the damage inflicted onto her life and soul.

For more Out Of The Dust (Apple Signature Edition) reviews click here.