Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

Bibliography
Hesse, Karen. 1997. Out of the Dust. New York: Scholastic Press.

ISBN: 0-590-36080-9

Summary
The novel is written in poetic form about fifteen year old Billie Jo and the hardships she endures growing up on a farm during the Depression and the dust bowl period.

Critical Analysis
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse received the John Newbery Award in 1998. An eloquently written novel, written completely in free verse, is an exceptional story of a young girl's life during the dust bowl years in Oklahoma.

Hesse develops the main character, Billie Jo, well through her descriptive voice. Billie Jo is stubborn, loving, strong, but yet yearning for forgiveness and contentment. The setting is also developed well through Hesse's excellent use of imagery.

Hesse uses a variety of poetic elements to express her story. The dust scenes are so descriptive a reader almost feels as if they are in the dust storm. For example, through out the novel there are several poems, like "Blankets of Black" or "Hope Smothered" that allow the reader to understand the the dust storm. The technical and artistic qualities of Hesse's poetic verse make an excellent historical fiction story. A good example of using line breaks well can be found in the poem, "The Accident." Another poem, "The Dream" is formed by distinctive line spacing. The spacing allows for pauses between lines and a encourages the reader to read slowly. While the use of puns, word plays and humor are inappropriate for this type of story, the story is so well written, it is enjoyable for young adults to adults.

Additionally, the first person viewpoint of Hesse's story makes, this an excellent story to be enjoyed in an audio version format. Narrator, Marika Mashburn, does an outstanding job of sounding like a young Oklahoma girl living in the 1930's.

Out of the Dust is an excellent historical fiction story. Read it, listen to it--just don't miss it.

Review Excerpts
Book Report announces, "Sparse, poignant, painful, and touching, Out of the Dust evokes photographic-clear images of the Dust Bowl and the Depression, told from the perspective of 13-year-old Billie Jo. . . . While billed as a novel and clearly a narrative, the entire book is formatted in prose-like free verse poetry structure, which enhances the accessibility, the clarity, and haunting nature of its storyline" (1997).

Booklist reports, "The story is bleak, but Hesse's writing transcends the gloom and transforms it into a powerfully compelling tale of a girl with enormous strength, courage, and love. The entire novel is written in very readable blank verse, a superb choice for bringing out the exquisite agony and delight to be found in such a difficult period lived by such a vibrant character. It also spares the reader the trouble of wading through pages of distressing text, distilling all the experiences into brief, acutely observed phrases" (1997).

Reviews accessed at http://www.titlewave.com/

Connections
Other stories set during the depression era:
Treasures in the Dust by Tracey Porter
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Dust to Eat: Drought and Depression in the 1930's by Michael Cooper
The Dust Bowl by Therese DeAngelis

Other stories by Karen Hesse:
Wish on a Unicorn
Letters from Rifka
Poppy's Chair
Lester's Dog
Sable
Phoenix Rising
Aleutian Sparrow