1997, New York: Scholastic Press.
ISBN: 0590360809
227 pages
Annotation: A fourteen year old girl lives in the Oklahoma dustbowl during the great depression trying to forgive her father and overcome the sorrow she feels for the death of her mother.
Summary: Billie Jo’s mother died from an accident caused by her father, and she must work to forgive him in the midst of the Great Depression while living in the Oklahoma dustbowl. Billie Jo’s dad seems too worn out to really pay attention and show concern to Billie Jo after the death of her mother. Billie Jo thrives on playing the piano, but then in efforts to save her mother from the burning kerosene left in the kitchen she burns her hands and they become disfigured, which causes them to hurt too much to play. While mourning the loss of her mom and her painful hands, everyone is waiting for rain to come, but some give up and leave for greener land.
In hopes of finding a better life, Billie Jo hops a train heading to California. While on this journey she talks with a man who had abandoned his family and she learns that she should be home healing with her father, and that being together will provide the hope they need. She returns home and life begins to look up for both of them with rain, a new wife, and the ability to overcome her painful hands and play the piano again.
Rank: 4 Stars, Very well written and good storyline.
Note: Written in prose format.
