When the Sky Turned to Dust
by Catherine Matthias
"It was every monster I had ever imagined" (3/16/2026)
It is very hard to imagine the Great American Dust Bowl which tore families apart and caused widespread death and destruction in the 1930's. Author, Catherine Matthias with extensive research vividly describes the effects of the dust storms that you can almost hear, taste and smell the air. Only by closing one's eyes can you visualize the darkness.
Nine year old Daniel and his sister, twelve year old Caroline mature quickly when they are faced with the dust storms in Kansas during the '30's. Their family dynamics start to change and they find themselves helping their father protect and take care of their family farm. High emotion runs through the story as Daniel and Caroline experience despair, frustration, loneliness, anger and grief all while continuing to try to maintain hope and positivity.
I thoroughly enjoyed the author's description of the cross country train rides that Daniel and Caroline experienced. I fondly remember being awed at the Kansas City train station and enjoying the sleeping and dining cars. Just like Daniel and Caroline, meeting and interacting with strangers on the train was a highlight. As the story enfolds, the reader becomes protective of Daniel and Caroline and yearns for their struggles to end and "regular routines" to return.
"When the Sky Turned to Dust" is ideal for YA readers due to the author's detailed description of the devastation of the Dust Bowl that occurred during the 1930's. It has a very good story line full of emotion and conflict.
The Silent Period: A Novel
by Francesca Manfredi
The Silent Period (12/10/2025)
This might be the first time I have literally wanted to talk to a character in a book while I was actually reading it. Being new to the topic of mutism, I must admit I was deeply concerned and had so many questions about Cristina, the main character and the actual process and understanding of just what mutism is. Periodically I wanted to give her advice & actually talk to her face to face. The Silent Period is extremely thought provoking and is a book club's dream. There are way too many questions & not enough answers. The book is very well written, full of beautiful quotes and incites from Cristina along with excruciatingly painful scenes. I definitely recommend The Silent Period..it's not a beach read but definitely a read you won't put down!
