1998 Newberry Award winner
A thrilling historical fiction novel that
deals with the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.
Written in blank verse poetry. This novel, written as journal entries, account for a two year time span. While few entries follow any rhyme, others take on meaningful shapes and all follow a rhythm and speaks to reader as an authentic adolescent mighty.
Billie Jo comes from an honest family and her mom is pregnant with a new child. There is hope! Mom allows Billie-Jo to play piano on tour with Arley Wanderdale and the Black Mesa Boys. There is hope! When migrant workers spend time at Billie Jo's school and amid all the frustrations of the weather and the economic times. There is still hope. And when running away from all that has caused the pain and suffering seems the right choice. And when turning away from her own roots seems to be the only way to carry on, Billie Jo and her father Bayard that in end, each other are the strongest things in their lives. And its this relationship that brings hope to fruition.