Comments on: Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

By: Mel

Mel — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 02:49:00 +0000

I really like your project of reading all the Newberry Award winners. I will read Lois Lowry’s 1989 winner “Number the Stars” very soon

By: grace wieber

grace wieber — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:47:09 +0000

I found you through a google search for a twitter tutorial. I’m glad I did not only for the article, but for this great blog. I love Newberry Books.

By: Jeane

Jeane — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:07:50 +0000

I have this on my shelf, been meaning to read it. The verse thing kind of puts me off- I’m not really into poetry- but everyone keeps saying it’s such a great book, I’m willing to give it a try.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:31:40 +0000

Another one to add to my must read. My husbands grandmother escaped from the dust bowl, so it will be a good one to read to my husband!

By: Jenn M

Jenn M — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:05:25 +0000

I had this one in my hands the other day at the bookstore and I almost bought it. I was SO close. It’s good to hear your thoughts on it. This is one I would like to read with my daughter. I think she would love it!

By: Bree

Bree — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:07:37 +0000

I read this for my YA lit class. Its the first book I’ve read in free verse form. Its definitely different reading a whole story in this format. I took it as more of a diary than poems. The author did a marvelous job in relaying historical aspect of the timeperiod. I’d never read much about the Dust Bowl and Hesse describes it very clearly. I think children would get a good sense of the conditions by reading this book.

By: Gamila

Gamila — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:06:13 +0000

I read this book during, while student teaching history. My Mentor teacher would read it to his AP classes so they would get an idea of what the dust storms during this era were really like. At the time it was a national crisis made worse by bad farming practices. I usually find western U.S. history boring but this book really made this era intersting to me.

By: Memory

Memory — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:15:47 +0000

I enjoyed this too. I found the free verse so effective; it really forced me to see things through Billie Joe’s eyes.

By: Nan

Nan — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:28:08 +0000

I haven’t read this one by Hesse, but Witness is one of my all time favorite books. Have you read that one?

By: TexasRed

TexasRed — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:37:34 +0000

Sounds very challenging, but interesting. Thanks for recommending.