Hesse, Karen - Out of the Dust (Paperback)

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse is a haunting novel told entirely in free verse. Set in 1930s Oklahoma, it follows Billie Jo Kelby as she endures the hardships of the Dust Bowl. After a tragic accident that leaves her mother dead and her own hands burned, Billie Jo must learn to navigate loss, guilt, and survival in a world covered in dust.

Through spare, beautiful poetry, Karen Hesse captures the devastation of the land and the quiet endurance of a young girl determined to rise above despair. It’s a story of hope, forgiveness, and resilience that remains one of the most striking works of historical fiction for young readers.

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