State of Hospitality

Day 3

Hey!

Today's book is a 1998 Newberry Medal winner.  A children's book --yes-- but sometimes they are more than worth our time.  This novel is one of those books.

Out of the Dust 

 Karen Hesse

Written in free verse like a journal, Billie Jo tells her story.

                                                         "Daddy named me Billie Jo.

                                                          He wanted a boy.

                                                          Instead,

                                                          he got a long-legged girl

                                                         with a wide mouth

                                                         and cheekbones like bicycle handles.

                                                         He got a redheaded, freckle-faced, narrow-hipped girl

                                                         with a fondness for apples

                                                        and a hunger for playing fierce piano."

 Set in the mid-1930's during the Dust Bowl years in Oklahoma, life is hard and difficult.  Billie Jo experiences tragedy and loss with a quiet inner strength beyond her years.

The author's choice of words allows the reader to feel her experiences while the style of writing keeps the topic appropriate for the target audience.  I found the lack of abundant description, due to the free verse style, actually enhanced my appreciation for Billie Jo and her life.

                                                   "The way I see it, hard times aren't only
                                                    about money,
                                                    or drought,
                                                    or dust.
                                                    Hard times are about losing spirit,
                                                    and hope,
                                                    and what happens when dreams dry up."

Isn't that true?

Happy Reading!

Mimi

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Romans 12:12 NIV Bible