OUT OF THE DUST
BY: KAREN HESSE
About the Author
Who is Karen Hesse. Provide significant information about the author and how her personal life relates to the story. Provide an image.
Karen Hesse was born on August 29, 1952 in Baltimore, Maryland. She dreamed of several careers, an archaeologist an actor, and an ambassador, but gave up and chose to be an author at the end. She began the writing of "Out of the Dust" from a picture book idea, "Come On Rain." Her writers group wanted Karen to tell more of why the characters of the story wanted rain so much, so she searched times when people needed rain desperately, and when she came up with the Dust Bowl, she began the story of "Out of the Dust." It later was published and she was awarded a Newbery Medal for her book. She now lives in Vermont with her husband and two daughters.
Who is Karen Hesse. Provide significant information about the author and how her personal life relates to the story. Provide an image.
Karen Hesse was born on August 29, 1952 in Baltimore, Maryland. She dreamed of several careers, an archaeologist an actor, and an ambassador, but gave up and chose to be an author at the end. She began the writing of "Out of the Dust" from a picture book idea, "Come On Rain." Her writers group wanted Karen to tell more of why the characters of the story wanted rain so much, so she searched times when people needed rain desperately, and when she came up with the Dust Bowl, she began the story of "Out of the Dust." It later was published and she was awarded a Newbery Medal for her book. She now lives in Vermont with her husband and two daughters.
PRE-READING REFLECTION:
What occurred in the United States in 1929 that is a significant historical event and sets the tone for the story?
The significant historical event that occurred in the United States in 1929 was the Great Depression, or the Dust Bowl. It was caused from poor farming habits that allowed loose soil to gather up in the wind and mix with air to create the Dust Bowl.
What was the "Great Depression"? Explain and describe. Provide images.
The "Great Depression" was the large scale drought in the 1930s that spread over the Great Plains region in the US.
What was the impact of the Great Depression?
The Great Depression caused little rainfall, light soil, and high speed winds in the affected areas that, combined, caused destruction. It caused people in the area to flee to different states, abandoning their farms and starting a new life somewhere else.
What were some the the effects of the Great Depresssion?
Some affects of the Great Depression were the decline in economic, since people died, could not attend to their farm, or fled their house and farm altogether in the large region. People could not walk outside without breathing in dust and dirt and eventually getting sick from breathing it too much.
Can you relate the Great Depression to anything in today's society?
I can relate the Great Depression to today's society. One example is the bills that were passed to fix the problem that was happening by the government. During the Great Depression, the government passed a bill that would try to save the acres and land and soil so the land would not become barren, while today, the government are trying to improve their economy by passing bills that would help the middle-class people and people in poverty.
What occurred in the United States in 1929 that is a significant historical event and sets the tone for the story?
The significant historical event that occurred in the United States in 1929 was the Great Depression, or the Dust Bowl. It was caused from poor farming habits that allowed loose soil to gather up in the wind and mix with air to create the Dust Bowl.
What was the "Great Depression"? Explain and describe. Provide images.
The "Great Depression" was the large scale drought in the 1930s that spread over the Great Plains region in the US.
What was the impact of the Great Depression?
The Great Depression caused little rainfall, light soil, and high speed winds in the affected areas that, combined, caused destruction. It caused people in the area to flee to different states, abandoning their farms and starting a new life somewhere else.
What were some the the effects of the Great Depresssion?
Some affects of the Great Depression were the decline in economic, since people died, could not attend to their farm, or fled their house and farm altogether in the large region. People could not walk outside without breathing in dust and dirt and eventually getting sick from breathing it too much.
Can you relate the Great Depression to anything in today's society?
I can relate the Great Depression to today's society. One example is the bills that were passed to fix the problem that was happening by the government. During the Great Depression, the government passed a bill that would try to save the acres and land and soil so the land would not become barren, while today, the government are trying to improve their economy by passing bills that would help the middle-class people and people in poverty.
Vocabulary
Define each term as it is used in the context of the story.
Draught - a current of air, especially intruding into an inclosed space
Withered - to become dry and shriveled
Scorch - burn the surface of something with heat or flame
Sod - the surface of the ground (dirt)
Duster - a cloth of brush for dusting furniture; a dust storm
Parched - thirsty; dried out of heat
Migrants - a person who moves to live somewhere else
Gaunt - lean or haggard because of age, suffering, and hunger
Define each term as it is used in the context of the story.
Draught - a current of air, especially intruding into an inclosed space
Withered - to become dry and shriveled
Scorch - burn the surface of something with heat or flame
Sod - the surface of the ground (dirt)
Duster - a cloth of brush for dusting furniture; a dust storm
Parched - thirsty; dried out of heat
Migrants - a person who moves to live somewhere else
Gaunt - lean or haggard because of age, suffering, and hunger