Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

Blurb: A 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. While others flee from the dust bowl, Billie Jo is left to find peace in the bleak landscape of Oklahoma — and in the surprising landscape of her own heart.

This week I have been seeking quotations to use in a library display and to add to my day planner to keep my spirits high in 2009. Searching on the internet for library quotes and quotes about books, research, information, reading etc I have found some really inspiring words. Last night I finished re-reading Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. Our hard back copy at school was lost last year by a Year 6 student and I wondered if we should purchase a new copy. Then I discovered I had a copy of my own so I took the time to read this wonderful novel in free verse. 

I remembered my powerful reaction to this tragedy and so I took my time with this reading, not want to confront Billie Jo’s pain all in one go. The link to all of this and my opening about quotations came as I completed my reading. 

Scholastic make editions of classic children’s books with bonus features. I mentioned this in my review of The Book Without Words by Avi. In Out of the Dust, there is a recipe for Apple Sauce, Karen Hesse's Newbery acceptance speech – more on that later, an interview with Karen, some historical details about dust storms in Colorado and the Great Depression and the struggles of farm life. 

 In the section “About the Author” Karen Hesse talks about working in a library and here is her lovely quote : 

  “Working in a library – well, I loved that the way 

I love chocolate pudding. It was truly that good.” 

I also found my self thinking of a lovely picture book Come on Rain with its lyrical language about rain and now I discover this special book is also by Karen Hesse. In Out of the Dust, Hesse totally captures the feel of those long awaited rain drops. She says: 

It started out as snow oh, big flakes floating softly, catching on my sweater lacy on the edges of my sleeves … until at last it slipped into rain light as mist it was the kindest kind of rain that fell soft then a little heavier helping along what had already fallen into the hard –pan earth until it rained, steady as a good friend who walks beside you not getting in your way staying with you through a hard time. 

 I am really glad I took the time to read this wonderful book once again and yes I will buy a new copy for my school library. As Hesse said in her Newbery speech “Reading historical fiction gives us perspective. It gives us respite from the tempest of our present-day lives. It gives us a safe place in which we can grow, transform, transcend. It helps us understand that sometimes the questions are too hard, that sometimes there are no answers, that sometimes there is only forgiveness.” 

Here is the Kirkus review.

Here a couple of other quotation gems I have found to use this year: 

One sure window into a person's soul is his reading list. Mary B. W. Tabor 

I find that a great part of the information I have was acquired by looking something up and finding something else on the way. Franklin P. Adams 

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends: they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers. Charles W. Eliot 

At the moment that we persuade a child, any child, to cross that threshold, that magic threshold into a library, we change their lives forever, for the better. Barack Obama 

I read because one life isn't enough. Richard Peck 

Knowledge is free at the library. Just bring your own container. Unknown 

My two favourite things in life are libraries and bicycles. They both move people forward without wasting anything. The perfect day: riding a bike to the library. Pete Golkin, Arlington, Virginia

How amazing to find a quote about libraries by Barack Obama.

Read only on the days you eat - seen in a school library in Canada and part of all my library communication - this is my slogan.

Read more about Out of the Dust.

I edited this post in June 2022 and can now add another splendid verse novel as a companion read:

May B, A novel