Out of the Dust Worksheets

by Karen Hesse

Reading Level V · Lexile HL680L · ATOS 5.3

Told in spare free-verse poems, Billie Jo grows up in Dust Bowl Oklahoma, coping with drought, poverty, and a devastating family tragedy — a moving portrait of grief and hope.

Get the book on Amazon

Reading Level Conversion Chart

Out of the Dust vocabulary words and comprehension questions

48 vocabulary words and 36 comprehension questions across 12 sections: Winter 1934 · Spring 1934 · Early Summer 1934 · Midsummer 1934 · Summer 1934: The Fire · Late Summer 1934 · Spring 1935 · Summer 1935 · Late Summer 1935 · End of Summer 1935 · Late Autumn 1935 · December 1935 — Out of the Dust.

Vocabulary words include fidgety, panhandle, drought, determined, withered, comfort, grumble, stubborn, searing, combine, bushel, harvest, drizzle, mended, obliged, distant, desperate, kerosene, antiseptic, soothe.

Sample questions

Where does Billie Jo live, and what does her family do for a living?
What activity does Billie Jo love most, and what does it reveal about her?
How does the dry, dusty setting shape the mood of the story's opening?

About our free novel study worksheets

Our free novel study worksheet generator builds printable vocabulary and reading comprehension worksheets for the books your students are reading. Pick a grade range, choose a series or title, and create no-prep practice — comprehension questions and vocabulary activities — tailored to that book in minutes.

Every novel worksheet can be printed for free or assigned digitally to your class. Teachers and homeschooling parents use them to support guided reading, book clubs, and independent novel studies from early chapter books through middle grade.

Frequently asked questions

Are these novel study worksheets free?

Yes. You can create and print vocabulary and comprehension worksheets for any available book for free, with no login required to print. A free account also lets you save worksheets and assign them to students.

How do I make worksheets for a specific book?

Choose a grade range, select the series and title, then generate vocabulary and comprehension worksheets built from that book's words and content.

What kinds of novel worksheets can I create?

You can create reading comprehension question worksheets and vocabulary worksheets — including matching, multiple choice, written, and flashcards — for each book.

What grade levels are these novel worksheets for?

They work for early chapter books through middle grade, with titles organized by grade range so you can match each book to your readers.