Dust to Eat: Drought and Depression in the 1930s

by Michael L. Cooper

The 1930s in America will always be remembered for twin disasters-the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Michael L. Cooper takes readers through this tumultuous period, beginning with the 1929 stock market crash that ushered in the Great Depression and continuing with the severe drought in the Midwest, known as the Dust Bowl. He chronicles the everyday struggle for survival by those who lost everything, as well as the mass exodus westward to California on fabled Route 66. The crisis also served as a turning point in American domestic policy, prompting the establishment of programs, such as welfare and Social Security, that revolutionized the role of the federal government. Vivid personal anecdotes from figures such as John Steinbeck and Woody Guthrie, and an extensive selection of photographs by Dorothea Lange and others, illuminate the individuals who faced poverty, illness, and despair as they coped with this extraordinary challenge. Endnotes, bibliography, Internet resources, index.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography

96 pages, Hardcover

First published April 19, 2004

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Please see: Michael L. Cooper


Michael L. Cooper is a writer living in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information about him and his books visit michaellcooper.com. Thanks. MLC

source: Amazon

Reviews

[♥ Sandi ❣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

As far as the short story in this book I didn't really learn anything new other than the fact that John Steinbeck traveled throughout the region to document what the people were going through during the Dust Bowl. However the pictures inthis book were very good and told probably as much as this short story did.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gem of this book are all the wonderful pictures that come from the Library of Congress. The author did a good job of pairing those pictures up with the narrative. This is a good book even for adults.

[Leah Hahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a much better read than I thought it would be. I would recommend it for middle school students. It has some great photographs, they are all in black and white so it lends itself to the era nicely. It was an easy read and gave great information on the great depression.

[DarBesko · Rating 4 out of 5]

It includes valuable maps and photographs. My favorite photo is on page 24. It shows a car and farm equipment almost entirely buried by dirt, emphasizing the severity of the dust storms. On page 76, it recommends some digital resources. I recommend the book for fourth-grade students and above.

[TREVIS C]

A chronicling of events that took place during the Dust Bowl.

[Awjtf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for students to learn about the dust bowl. My grandfather Roy Turner was mentioned briefly in the book!

[Kara Kuehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight on the Great Depression!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the 1930s in Midwestern United States, the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression devastated the lives of many families. Through archival black and white photographs, letters and interviews of survivors, and words of John Steinbeck and Woody Guthrie, this era of American history is described, explained, and humanized. Included at the back are Source Notes for each chapter, Of Further Interest section of books, video, and Internet resources and places to visit, and an Index. Genre: Nonfiction Suggested Grade Levels: Grades 5-8
Awards/Honors 2005 Golden Kite Nonfiction Award Winner

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the title and the picture on the cover, I had not anticipated this to be a children's book. It is. It is a short account of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl issues with some great black and white photographs from the time. It is easy to follow, and would help an elementary or middle school student understand the subject - either for a class or as a topic of interest.
[I'll not criticize this book for not being what I had hoped when I ordered it from the library. ]

[Brian H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a harrowing account of both the Dust Bowl disaster and the Great Depression. Although the book was written eight years ago, it is more relevant now than ever. It is critically important for young people today to learn about the hardships of past generations, the failures that led to the Great Depression, and the responsibilities of a government and its citizens to find solutions to difficult problems and to learn from past failings. (Lexile: 1120; Grades 5-6)

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written and succinct recounting of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the 1930s. The author simplifies the causes and repercussions of these events without dumbing them down for juvenile readers. He writes in clear language with some challenging vocabulary, but it is certainly readable for a fifth or sixth grader. Images were well selected to help tell the story and work well with the text.

Recommended for grades 5-8.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This non-fiction book provides a concise, yet thorough overview of the Dust Bowl and then zooms in for intimate details.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #77 read in 2006

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for background for Grapes of wrath.

[Jamies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really interesting. It talks about two of the worst problems in the 1930's: the dust bowl and the depression. I recommend this book for people who are interested in American history.

[Mairin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good and powerful historical book.

[rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting.