Out of the Dust

Karen Hesse's Newbery Medal-winning verse novel, Out of the Dust, tells the poignant story of Billie Jo Kelby, a young girl growing up in rural Oklahoma during the devastating Dust Bowl of the 1930s. The narrative, told through Billie Jo's lyrical free verse, chronicles her life-altering journey after a tragic accident involving kerosene leaves her mother dead and her own hands severely burned, making her beloved piano playing impossible. As her family grapples with immense grief and the harsh realities of farm life ravaged by dust storms, Billie Jo struggles with her identity, her relationship with her distant father, and her longing for escape. Ultimately, it is a story of profound loss, resilience, and the slow, arduous path toward healing and finding a new sense of belonging.

A Newbery Medal-winning AuthorA Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year An ALA Best Book for Young AdultsA terrible accident has transformed Billie Jo's life, scarring her inside and out. Her mother is gone. Her father can't talk about it. And the one thing that might make her feel better - playing the piano - is impossible with her wounded hands. To make matters worse, dust storms are devastating the family farm and all the farms nearby.