I found this in the 'graphic novel' YA section of the library and was immediately intrigued. This book is FABULOUS. There are pictures on every page which are interesting, amazing, beautiful, and sad. Albert Marrin really made history come alive with this book, and I look forward to reading more from him. I rarely give out 5 stars, but I am with this one. I learned SO MUCH and recommend this book to EVERYONE from about fifth grade through adults!"This book aims to tell the story of the Dust Bowl disaster. It is really two stories. The first story focuses on ecology- the natural world of the Great Plains. The second story is about how people invited disaster by changing the ecology of the Great Plains; "assaulting" might be a better word. Both stories hold important lessons for us today because the Dust Bowl was caused less by natural forces than by people's abuse of the land."I did not know that China is having its own version of our "dirty thirties" because they made the same mistakes we made with farming and subsequently abusing the land! And now... I want to bust out my Grapes of Wrath.READ IT. NOW! Years of Dust by [author Albert Marrin] 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. This could be used in American history classes. Recommended for school and public library collections. For grades 7 and up, Dust Bowl, Great Plains, American History, photography, farmers, and fans of Albert Marrin and Dorethea Lange.
What do You think about Years Of Dust (2009)?
Fantastic photos and I enjoyed learning about soil conservation
—hunter
