100 pages • 3 hours read
Karen HesseOut of the Dust
Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Middle Grade | Published in 1997A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse is a historical middle-grade novel in verse that follows 13-year-old Billie Jo Kelby, living with her parents on a struggling farm in the Oklahoma Panhandle during the mid-1930s. After a tragic accident leads to the death of her mother and baby brother, Billie Jo and her father must navigate their grief and find a way to hope amidst the Dust Bowl's harsh conditions. The book includes a fatal accident resulting in severe burns.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust has been widely praised for its poignant, free verse narration and vivid depiction of the Dust Bowl era. The protagonist’s emotional journey resonates with readers, though some found the verse format challenging. Overall, it’s recognized for its lyrical storytelling and historical insight, despite mixed reactions to its structure.
Who Should Read Out of the Dust?
Fans of lyrical and emotionally resonant historical fiction will enjoy Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust. Ideal for readers captivated by Anne of Green Gables or Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, it offers a poignant glimpse into the struggles of the Great Depression through the eyes of a young girl.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
NPBook Details
Historical Fiction
Children's Literature
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Agriculture
History: U.S.
Great Depression
Life/Time: Mortality & Death
Society: Class
Natural World: Place