Age Group:
Children, Teens, and Adults (a true cross-generational read!)

Genre:
American Historical Fiction

Awards:
1998 Newbery Award

Breakdown:
Fourteen year old narrator Billie Jo finds herself trapped in Oklahoma during one of its worst periods of drought ever. Billie, along with her family, endures the daily struggles of trying to keep the dust out of the house, produce a viable crap and find ways to fill the time indoors. Playing the piano becomes her escape, until her hands are tragically marred in an accident that kills her mother. Billie must find the strength within herself to hold her family together and embrace the piano once again.

My Thoughts:
Hesse’s novel is an interesting departure from what I normally read. It tells the story of 14-year-old Billie Jo living in Oklahoma in 1934-35 during the Dust Bowl years. Although it is written entirely in free verse, the novel manages NOT to annoy me, instead drawing me in chapter through chapter. Given the somewhat despondent tone and serious subject matter, I found it odd that the book was cataloged as a junior read. The hopeful ending helps to alleviate the heaviness, but I thought it would better translate to a young adult audience. Overall, I really enjoyed learning about this obscure moment in history through the voice of Billie Jo.

Borrow Out of the Dust from your local VPL library today!

For a more humourous, historical fiction choice, try the 2008 Newbery Honor book Elijah of Buxton.

Have you read either of these books? Let us know what you thought!