Out of the Dust (Apple Signature Edition)
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Out of the Dust (Apple Signature Edition)
by Authors:
Karen Hesse
Released: 01 January, 1999
ISBN: 0590371258
Paperback
Sales Rank: 15474
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List price:
$5.99
Our price:
$5.39
(You save: $0.6)
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| Book > Out of the Dust (Apple Signature Edition) > Customer Reviews: |
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Average Customer Rating: 
Out of the Dust (Apple Signature Edition) >
Customer Review #1:
 Out of the Dust Critique
I think the novel "Out of the Dust" is a great, emotional story. It was very touching and I thought that it was neat that Karen Hesse wrote the story in free verse poems. The poems gave me enough information for my imagination to fill in. I could read the story at many levels. It is about a 14- year old girl, named Billie Jo. She suffered terrible dust storms in Kansas, the death of her mother, a non- communicative father, and the burning of her hands. She really liked to play the piano and was the smartest kid in the state. In the beginning of the book, her father worked on the farm, her mother did work around the house, and Billie Jo helped out, played the piano, and went to school. In the middle, a terrible accident happened. The Dad placed a pail of kerosene in the kitchen, and Ma thought it was water. She tried to make coffee using the kerosene. Then the pail caught on fire and Ma ran outside. Billie Jo picked up the bucket to keep the house from burning, and ran outside with it. As soon as she was outside, she threw the pail. Ironically, Ma was running back inside. The burning pail hit Ma and she was engulfed in flames. Billie Jo pushed her down and tried to put out the flames, burning her hands badly. A month later, Ma died, giving birth to a baby, who died shortly after. The tragedy was so horrible that I was drawn to find out how the story would end. Yet, the author didnt overwhelm me with morbid details. Billie Jo and her dad barely talked. It took time for the two to work out their problems. At the end of the book, they met a woman who acted like Ma. She was called Louise. Pa married her and Billie Jo forgave him and vice versa. They overcame the past and moved on in life. I like how Billie Jo gradually developed the problems and gradually solved them. In doing this, the author made everything believable. The whole story improved with the addition of Louise. There was always tension between Ma and Dad. Louises influence brought calmness to Dad and Billie Jo. She also re-introduced Mas good ideas to Pa, who finally acted on them.
Louise also helped Billie Jos confidence and sense of family increase. Through all this, these three characters grew in positive ways.
In summary, the free verse poems, which encouraged my imagination and the gradual positive resolution of Billie Jos and Dads problems, left me feeling stronger and more positive about life. This story touches anyone who reads it.
Out of the Dust (Apple Signature Edition) >
Customer Review #2:
Out of the Dust
I recently finished reading the book "Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse. We are studying the Great Depression in history, and my History teacher thought it would be appropriate to read this book for further knowledge, and in depth descriptions. I think that reading this book, while studying the Great Depression is a great combination, and results in a rapid increase of knowledge. One of the most unique characteristics about this book is that it is written in diary format, completely in free verse poems, by Billie Jo, a 13-year-old girl living in Okalahoma, during the dust bowl. The best thing about expressing literature in poetry is that it adds emphasis on the dramatic parts; they also add emotion to places where emotion makes history a reality. Page upon page, Billie Jo describes how the dust storms impact the crops, as well as everyday life, and also how it feels to be living in the middle of the biggest dust storm in all of America; the Dust Bowl. As Billie Jo describes life during a dust storm, you are swept from your everyday life and brought into the reality of being in a dust storm. The descriptions are great, you feel as if you are Billie Jo, venturing into the wind, not being able to see, dust filling your mouth. This book explains the causes, effects, and impacts of the Great Depression, as well as many aspects of The New Deal. The FERA (federal emergency rescue association), a program in The New Deal, helps Billie Jo and her family with the farm, the CCC is also mentioned in the book. The story is not all about the dust storms however; "Out of the Dust" has a great plot, with many different things to pull you in farther. Many events happen that will alter Billie Jos life forever, a horrible accident scars Billie Jo both mentally and physically, after which her relationship with her father will never be the same. As Billie Jo pursues to sort out her many family problems she surprisingly digs deeper into her soul than she ever thought was possible, finding things out about herself that she had never known before. I enjoyed this book very much, and I know you will too. If you enjoy learning more, while having suspense and a great, enthralling plot, this book is definitely for you!
Out of the Dust (Apple Signature Edition) >
Customer Review #3:
its a good story
Recommendation-
I recommend this book to anyone thats 13 years old and up because the first part of the story is emotional. Billys mom died. "Ma died that day giving birth to my brother." Billys mom died because of the fire in which she was burned badly. This is why I recommend this book to older kids. I like this book because when people that are close to you pass away it shows how you can get on with your live. "I was invited to graduation, to play the piano." This citation shows that people start to think that Billy is normal, and she can play the piano again.
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Out of the Dust (Apple Signature Edition) >
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