Before global warming, there was dust. In the 1930s, dangerous black storms swept through the Great Plains. Created by drought and reckless farming...
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reviews
Jan 23, 2012
Brandy
rated it: 
A dark cloud rolls in, blotting out the sun. It’s noon, but it could just as easily be midnight. It’s April 14, 1935: Black Sunday, the day of one of the worst dust storms to ever hit the Great Plains. The Dust Bowl was no natural disaster, though; the Plains survived for centuries before our agricultural practices ruined the land. This is the story of how we did it—and how families survived it.
**Reading through some non-fiction selections for 9th-grade booktalks. I think this can ha More...
**Reading through some non-fiction selections for 9th-grade booktalks. I think this can ha More...
Dec 07, 2009
Debbie
rated it: 
For the most part, the photographs and illustrations in the book are terrific.
But, as a work of nonfiction, it falls short of being credible. I learned about the book via a discussion I was participating in on SLJ (on the Heavy Medal blog).
Marrin cites a passage attributed to Chief Seattle, but, it is not actually Seattle who wrote that passage (and speech).... It's also in BROTHER EAGLE SISTER SKY---but---it is actually a speech written for a made-for-TV movie in the More...
But, as a work of nonfiction, it falls short of being credible. I learned about the book via a discussion I was participating in on SLJ (on the Heavy Medal blog).
Marrin cites a passage attributed to Chief Seattle, but, it is not actually Seattle who wrote that passage (and speech).... It's also in BROTHER EAGLE SISTER SKY---but---it is actually a speech written for a made-for-TV movie in the More...
Dec 15, 2009
Jessica
rated it: 
Long before all the talk of Global Warming, there was a Historical event that brought farming in the United States to its knees…..the Dust Bowl of the 1930’s. This event was cataclysmic not only environmentally but also economically because it occurred simultaneously with the Great Depression. Through poignant images and accessible language, the author makes it clear that this event, which spanned almost a decade in time, was not a natural disaster, but rather a man-made one. He further point
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Jul 15, 2010
Nicholas
rated it:
(Non-fiction selection)
This non-fiction book would be a great reference book for any class 7th-12th grade studying the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Through it's use of stunning large format black and white photographs (present on almost every other page) it brings to life events many students in urban areas may have trouble imagining. Organized in nine parts, the book covers a wide variety of subjects including the history of the Great Plains, the Dust Bowl and its causes, get More...
This non-fiction book would be a great reference book for any class 7th-12th grade studying the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. Through it's use of stunning large format black and white photographs (present on almost every other page) it brings to life events many students in urban areas may have trouble imagining. Organized in nine parts, the book covers a wide variety of subjects including the history of the Great Plains, the Dust Bowl and its causes, get More...
Mar 28, 2010
Michelle
rated it: 
Again, my disclaimer about not being a non-fiction fan...However, author Albert Marrin does an excellent job of captivating the reader in this informative tale of the Dustbowl years. Marrin explains how the decimation of the buffalo, the introduction of cattle ranching, and later, farming all contributed to the desertification of this once fertile land. Young people will appreciate the words defined in context, and the moving sepia toned photos and text insets. Marrin concludes by examining cu
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Nov 22, 2009
Nomi
rated it:
Well done account of the dust bowl's causes (relentless monoculture farming (wheat), over grazing by cattle and sheep who are destructive to the soil and prairie grass unlike native buffalo, govt. and WWI demand for more and more wheat)and it's effect on the people of that region. Gives good geographic history of the region as well as a nice overview of New Deal and WPA attempts to mitigate damages from the dust bowl on region and people (plant more trees, govt. camps for "Okies", etc.
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Mar 02, 2010
Annie
rated it:
Albert Marrin has been one of my favorite authors ever since Oh Rats: The Story of Rats and People. He has a way of presenting history so that it makes sense and is interesting. To give the proper perspective on the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, Marrin devotes a chapter to land use as it transitioned from Native American to settler. He includes political and social history and also details the special ecology of the plains and how it is destroyed by the need and greed of the homesteaders and ranche
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Jul 21, 2011
Sally
rated it:
As always, Marrin gives good information on and explanation of a complicated situation. He covers the ecological and social aspects of the Dust Bowl and ends with accounts of other trouble spots in today's world. While I can't comfortably read about the government's role in addressing the problems ("some of which resulted from other, earlier government intervention," Nigel reminded me), I was amazed at the conditions in which the people affected lived and their ability to survive an
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Mar 04, 2010
Teen
rated it:
While an interesting and fresh take on The Dust Bowl (environmental/ecological approach rather than historical), it is disjointed, at times overly complex and at other times overly simplified. A picture of Chief Seattle on one page has no connection to the text-- his quote appears 3/4s of the way down on the next page. What???? The book tries to tie in world wars, internment camps, the Bible, Native Americans, and several other events/people/sources that are not clearly connected to The Dust Bo
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Mar 04, 2010
Treasure
rated it:
While an interesting and fresh take on The Dust Bowl (environmental/ecological approach rather than historical), it is disjointed, at times overly complex and at other times overly simplified. A picture of Chief Seattle on one page has no connection to the text-- his quote appears 3/4s of the way down on the next page. What???? The book tries to tie in world wars, internment camps, the Bible, Native Americans, and several other events/people/sources that are not clearly connected to The Dust Bow
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Nov 05, 2009
Christiane
rated it: 
This was helpful background information after reading The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan. The pictures are awe-inspiring, especially the ones where the whole horizon is this towering black cloud about to swallow a town. The text really focused on the human causes of the Dust Bowl (such as slaughtering the buffalo, raising cattle, and digging up the deep-rooted grasslands to plant crops). What was most depressing about this is that we are still doing the same sorts of destructive things toda
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Mar 15, 2010
Andy
rated it:
This brought the science of soil erosion alive, with remarkable photographs and jaw-dropping facts. I never realized that the destruction of the grassland ecosystem was the root cause of the storms and that conservation efforts are still underway around the world to prevent desertification. This is an important book that demonstrates the powerful impact humans have upon the earth and brings home the fact that we all must be stewards of the earth.
Nov 09, 2009
"In the best possible way, 'Years of Dust' feels like a museum in the form of a book. Marrin knits together natural science and sociology, news stories, snippets from novels and poems, eyewitness descriptions, journal entries, and the words of hard-time bards like John Steinbeck and Woody Guthrie. His selection of photographs — paired with maps, posters, engravings and other artifacts — brings the blown-out landscapes to life." NYTBR
Nov 18, 2010
Sharon
rated it:
I'd heard about the dust bowl, the Great Depression of the 1930's, the horrible drought that struck the midwestern states as my father was growing up in Iowa. This is a beautiful book about an ugly period in US history. The author, Albert Marrin, clearly describes what caused this economic and environmental catastrophe. Compelling photos taken in the 1930's by Dorothea Lange bring the narrative to life.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
Jan 08, 2010
Anastasia
rated it:
This book is really designed to show how the Dust Bowl arose out of specfic agricultural practices and policies, and how it could happen again.
The middle third is very interesting, with details about that historical era and its people--more photographs than I thought existed from that time period.
The other sections seemed too broad and sweeping to be understandable or meaningful.
Better as a environmental warning or weather pattern type book than a history book
The middle third is very interesting, with details about that historical era and its people--more photographs than I thought existed from that time period.
The other sections seemed too broad and sweeping to be understandable or meaningful.
Better as a environmental warning or weather pattern type book than a history book
Sep 26, 2010
Talea
rated it:
This book, about the 1930s Dust Bowl, is a bit of a cross between a textbook and a coffee table book. It's beautifully laid out, with plenty of fantastic pictures (by Lange and others). The chapter about the Dust Bowl in particular is especially interesting. The book is a little didactic at times, but it offers a nice summary of 1930s history, and a clear discussion on ecological implications---past and future.
Jan 28, 2010
Chrissy
rated it:
It's hard to imagine dust, something that is mildly annoying on your furniture, destroying whole communities and causing one of the biggest population shifts in US history, but that's exactly what happened during the Years of Dust. Read this informative and interesting account of the Dust Bowl. What makes this book great are the incredible pictures on nearly every page.
Dec 21, 2009
Gwen the Librarian
rated it:
The well-chosen archival photographs of the Dust Bowl are the real stars of this book. I liked the approach the author took explaining the environmental causes of the Dust Bowl, then the history leading up to the crisis in the 1930's and how it affected people, then what humans are doing now around the world that could cause more Dust Bowls. The tone and pace of the text were not outstanding, thus my rating.
Dec 11, 2009
Phoebe
rated it:
For an in-depth and extremely readable history of the dust bowl years look no further. Marrin offers a fascinating look at the ecology of the Great Plains, their role in human livelihood, and the horrendous impact of the drought on the entire United States, already gripped by the Depression. Not cheery reading, but important. Powerful photos convey the misery.
Oct 24, 2009
Mary
rated it:
This was an interesting account of the Dust Bowl. The author points out that the dust bowl was manmade citing the Plains farmers destroying native grasses caused the soil to erode. The cash crops didn't hold the nutrients needed to maintain healthy soil. Today, even, places in China and the Amazon Rain Forest could cause dust bowls to happen there. And these will also affect the United States' agriculture as well.
Jun 06, 2011
Melissa
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The pictures and descriptions of the dust bowl were amazing! This book is on the William Allen White list for the upcoming school year. I would highly recommend this to students, especially those who like non-fiction. I learned so many new things while reading this book.
Mar 21, 2010
Amy
rated it:
So "Grapes of Wrath" has made me obsessed with the Dust Bowl. This book is really good, fascinating and engaging writing with amazing photos as well. Very clear explanation of the ecological factors that led up to the Dust Bowl and what happened next.
Jan 08, 2010
Miz Lizzie
rated it:
This historical examination of the Depression takes a broad ecological view of the causes of the drought and dust storms. As such, it takes the long view, both tracing the root causes, natural and man-made (with the emphasis on the latter) and cautioning that unless precautions are taken similar disasters will take place again in the American Midwest and around the world. A valuable perspective to add to the materials available for children and young adults on the Depression.
Jun 08, 2010
David
rated it:
Years of Dust is a visually effective look at the Dust Bowl years in the US. It examines the Great Plains, the reasons behind the Dust Bowl, attempts to mitigate unemployment through the New Deal, and modern potential Dust Bowls and possible solutions. The photographs, many taken by Dorethea Lange, along with posters, graphs and Woody Guthrie lyrics, add greatly to understanding the period and problems faced by plains farmers and residents.
Nov 18, 2011
Mary
rated it:
Wonderful book about the great plains, ecological events that led up to the dust bowl years and examples of worldwide deforestation, desertification and unsustainable farming methods.
Dec 21, 2009
Leigh
rated it:
Excellent books about both the dust bowl of the 1930's and currently occurring dustbowls. Good choice for bright middle school students or high school readers who enjoy history and ecology.
Jan 04, 2010
Mary
rated it:
The author presents an account of why the dust bowl happened and how it could have been prevented or at least been less of a disaster. Interesting story.
Sep 20, 2009
Beth
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4 and 1/2 stars. Information, photographs, background information and context for today's readers.
Sep 02, 2009
Sq.Hill
rated it:
A nice pictorial history book about the dust bowl era. Check out the picture on page 17.
