I survived the Dust Bowl, 1935

Eleven-year-old Ray is stuck outside and far from shelter when the historic Black Sunday dust storm hits the Texas panhandle on April 14, 1935. The dust storms over the past four years have gotten so bad that kids must wear smelly gas masks when storms occur. Worse, Ray is upset that Dolly, his best friend, is moving because her little brother Skippy almost died from dust pneumonia. The crops have died, and farmers like Ray's family are struggling financially. When Ray realizes how in debt his parents are, he impulsively decides to jump a railroad car for California to find work so he can send money home, unaware of the impending dust storm. In this action-packed adventure based on real events, Tarshis vividly portrays the experience of a dust storm--the screaming wind and blinding, choking, swirling dirt that scours and tears your skin. Tarshis' inclusion of Dust Bowl history and a description of life in the 1930s provides helpful context for readers. This exciting and fast-paced title in the I Survived series includes a concluding bibliography.

Gr 2--5--The best-selling "I Survived" series chronicles its 25th historical ordeal in this milestone publication. Ray and his best friend Dolly are tweens growing up in Windy Plains, Texas, during the Great Depression. Tarshis gently introduces readers to the poverty, food scarcity, disease, and extreme weather of the Dust Bowl while maintaining an overall positive tone and ending on a very hopeful note. Though Ray and Dolly's families are both negatively impacted by their circumstances, strong relationships with their families and community see them through. A harrowing opening scene featuring Black Sunday, one of the worst dust storms in history, sparks tension but then fizzles when it is resolved quickly and with little drama. Back matter includes information about the author's research process as well as additional facts about the time. Occasional photorealistic illustrations support the text. All characters are cued white. VERDICT An adequate but unexceptional addition to the series; recommended only for libraries where these books are in very high demand.