Out of the Dust is a 1934 historical fiction novel written by Karen Hesse. The setting of the novel takes place on a struggling farm in Joyce City, Oklahoma. The novel is about the challenges faced by Billie Jo, a 13-year-old girl, and her family. It chronicles Billie's struggles as she grows up in the Oklahoma Dust Bowl during the Depression. Billie's father was a farmer, but his crops are not enough due to drought, but Billie is determined to make a better life for herself. Billie was a pianist and had the chance to travel around town with other aspiring artists, but her mother never gave her the support she desperately needed. She decided to escape, but her escape was cut short by a horrific accident that left her mother and little brother bedridden and later died. The accident left Billie Jo with severe burns to her hands until she could no longer play the piano like she used to. Despite her best efforts, she felt a lot of pain. She ran away from home after thinking that her father was not supporting her, later she returns home and reestablishes her relationship with her father. She meets Louise, whom her father had met, and she begins to rebuild her life. The family in Out of the Dust faces dust storms and economic disaster resulting from drought. The story of Out of the Dust gives the reader a glimpse of life in Joyce City, where Billie lived. First, the family was struggling and Billie had entered a talent competition where she could have won a $3 prize, which could help her family financially, but she never had the chance to take the plunge. . The family was struggling and Karen Hesse tries to show the reader that she didn't need a million dollars but only one, two or three dollars to help...... middle of paper .. .... pianist.Novel by Karen Hasse attracts attention because of the way it is written. Additionally, it is very interesting and is divided into four different seasons: spring, summer, winter and autumn. Many young adults reading the text and facing challenges in their lives can relate to the character Billie. The story is told in first person point of view and told from the point of view of the main character who is Billie. Billie has faced many challenges in her life and she has done her best to try and overcome them. At Billie's age, many young adults will still want to escape their lives and seek change like she did, but they will learn after reading her story that one must face its challenges, because running away makes things worse than they were. CityHesse, Karen. Out of the dust. New York: Scholastic Press, 1997. Print.