Out of the Dust

Out of the Dust

by

Karen Hesse

Summary
Analysis
The train ride is difficult. Billie Jo burns up in the desert and freezes in the mountains. Along the way, she spots several camps of fellow migrants, including a young girl covered in dust. When Billie Jo sees the girl, she feels like she knows her.
As Billie Jo navigates the hostile climates during the train ride and sees migrant families, it starts to become apparent that other regions of the country are not as secure and forgiving as she had hoped.
Themes
Nature, Survival, and the Dust Bowl Theme Icon