School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-7-The Jacksons live in the epicenter of the worst dust storm in American history, so they are forced to abandon their beloved farm and make the arduous journey to California in search of work. The teen chronicles the discrimination, disappointment, and hardship that thousands of "Okies" endured. A historical note and a selection of captioned, black-and-white photos round out the book. While this novel lacks the power and eloquence of Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust (Scholastic, 1997), C. J. is an authentic and likable protagonist. Durbin effectively conveys the plight of Dust Bowl families, from the horrendous conditions in the camps to the demeaning and demanding life of a migrant worker. It's likely that readers' curiosity will be piqued enough to learn more about the Depression, and that they will have a greater appreciation for John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath when they encounter it.-Ronni Krasnow, New York Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
In his journal, thirteen-year-old C.J. Jackson writes of his farm family's experiences traveling from Oklahoma to California in 1935. The narrative gives a vivid picture of the grim life of Dust Bowl migrants: looking for back-breaking, low-wage work, living in Hooverville camps, and coping with prejudice. Accompanied by archival black-and-white photos, an afterword offers additional historical information. From HORN BOOK Fall 2002, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
