Sunday, August 10, 2014

Flop de Flop (I don't know what it really means, but it sounds cool.)

If we have a roller coaster of blog posts, last week and this week are a big part of it. First we're going up the hill with WONDER, then it's like, "NEEEERRRR...KERSPLAT!!!!!!!" with this week's post. Long story short, we have another Flop on our hands. Flop #2 goes to...
Out of the Dust by Karen Heese


The sound of the piano. That is all that matters to Billie Jo anymore. Her mother has died. Her father is a stubborn man who's only goal in life is to grow wheat. Her home--what's left of it anyway--is a dust landfill, one of many during the Dust Bowl. Almost everyone is leaving to the legend land of California, except Billie Jo and her father. How much longer can she live with the raging dust and her quiet father? The only hope is in her hands and heart, the same hands that used to play quick tunes and the heart that used to be happy and in love. Before all the dust storms.


I had to read this one for school, and I didn't have very high expectations for it, because most of the books we are required to read are AWFUL. (With the exception of Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm.) This book is written in free verse poem, a style I didn't enjoy. I mean, if you're going to write a book, I would prefer if you wrote it like a normal person, please. There was a lot of action, but the author didn't deliver the action scenes well. And in the end, that is not good. This book was also a Newberry Medal winner, and probably for the historical accuracy. I found this book rather depressing. It didn't-- how do old people say it? Ah, yes-- tickle my fancy. (I'm kidding, I say that occasionally...so does that make me an old person?) So this book met my expectations at:
** Two Stars.

Have a good week guys! :{D

4 comments:

  1. I'm not a big fan of free verse writing in stories so I've avoided this one. If you were wanting to learn about the dust bowl and how it affected people it could be a good choice.

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    1. I agree.
      This is the first free verse book I've read, so I'm kind of compelled to not read any other books like that. But hey, you never know, you might like it sometimes! : )

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  2. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one, sorry it didn't work for you. Free verse really can be hit or miss and I know many who don't care for it. Yeah, that time period was pretty darn sad.

    LOL on "tickle your fancy" making you old. You have a great week too!

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