Out of the Dust

Excellent story! Fast read!

Would you listen to Out of the Dust again? Why?

Absolutely! I have already recommended it to a friend. I am studying to be an elementary teacher and I had to read some Newbery Award/ or honor books for my elementary literature class. I wasn't real excited about reading "Out of the Dust", as I thought it would be dry as dust. Boy was I wrong! This is an excellent story! Very realistic! It dives into some deep feelings, so I would probably use this for older elementary or middle school children. It is written in a poetic format, but comes across as though it was a series of journal recordings that take you through about 1 1/2 years of this girls life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Louise. I liked how she gently made her entrance into the family with great sensitivity.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I listened to it in one sitting, the recording was under 3 hours. I guess I could have spread it out over several sittings. As a teacher, I might be fun to read a little bit each day to the class and spread it over a week or two. Maybe use it when you are trying to focus on journaling. This way you can show the class how journaling can turn into a wonderful story.

3 people found this helpful

slow but effective narration

What did you love best about Out of the Dust?

Out of the Dust is a quick read that creates a sympathetic reader. I love that it is written as prose.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Since it's written as a journal, you really only get the inside look at Billy Jo. She's spunky. She's a survivor. She's impossible not to love.

Have you listened to any of Marika Mashburn’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yep

3 people found this helpful

A Heartbreaking story

This book is an amazing book. Everybody should read Out of the Dust. It's heartbreaking and entertaining at the same time. 5 out of 5 (Reader, age 10)

Great

It was better than reading quietly because of the emotions became real. I felt like I was there in the dust storms.

it's a MUST READ

So much to gain from this story!!!!!! My 7th graders loved it and loved learning about the dust bowl.

Great!

Great Texas accent and great fluency and emotions! Great! This is a great book! Listen to it!

loved it

who is Good book got me curious about the Dust Bowl and made me grateful for what I have today

it was good

I had to read it for school. I liked how it was short but sweet ;)
I really enjoyed it. bye!

Good book

Yes it did meet my expectations
Yes it was an adventure to read it
Yes it was read well
Bye

well told dust bowl story

Would you listen to Out of the Dust again? Why?

Listened to this with our kids for American History purposes. This is a very well told story. The characters are well-developed and many moments are dramatic and haunting. This gives children and adults a great view of what it was like to be a child in a family during the 1930s in the dust bowl areas of the US.

What did you like best about this story?

Authenticity of characters

Which character – as performed by Marika Mashburn – was your favorite?

The daughter

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

surviving the dust bowl years, a young woman's story