I first reviewed Out of the Dust in March 2008. Out of the Dust is a historical verse novel that I likely would have avoided at all costs as a kid. It is set in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl and Depression.
Billie Jo is our piano-playing heroine. Life was hard enough for Billie Jo and her family BEFORE the tragic accident. Multiple crop failures in a row. Worry and doubt weighing down whole communities, and, not without cause. But after the accident, things are even worse.
Added to despair and doubt is anger and bitterness and regret. Billie Jo doesn't know how to talk to her father anymore. She doesn't know how to be in the same house with him. Things are just off between them. Both are suffering souls. Both have needs that aren't being met. Both need time to heal at the very least.
The novel spans two years, 1934 and 1935. These two years are very hard emotionally for almost all the characters. Out of the Dust is a great coming-of-age novel. I think I liked it even more the second time.
© 2014 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
2 comments:
I'll have to look for this one too. Great post!
Hi Becky,
I found your blogs through Semicolon. I had this book, Out of the Dust, on my classroom library shelves when I taught in a traditional classroom. The students who read it *loved* it. :)
Love following your reading. But, my!, you must read quite fast!
~Janie
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