1. Little Flower School
6495 Lillian Highway
P.O. Box 3009
Pensacola, FL 32516
(850) 455-4851
March 2, 2010
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Beginning this week, your child will begin reading Karen Hesse’s Newberry Award-winning novel
Out of the Dust. Through a series of free verse poems, the novel paints a portrait of a family of farmers
during the Dust Bowl. Set in Oklahoma in the mid 1930s, the Kelby family must weather dust storms, along
with their own sorrows. Driven apart by a tragic accident, fourteen-year-old Billie Joe Kelby must reconcile
with her father as she grapples with the absence of her creative and emotional outlet—playing the piano.
We will be reading and discussing this novel for the next couple of months. It is imperative that you monitor
your child’s reading at home. I strongly encourage you to ask your child questions to ensure his/her
understanding of the text. The majority of your child’s literature grade will depend on his/her understanding
of the novel and its themes and literary techniques. Your child will be using my blog site
(msratliff.edublogs.org) to respond to discussion questions and to discuss the novel with classmates. All
blog assignments are announced and posted several days prior to the due date. It is the responsibility of the
student to complete blog assignments either at home or at school.
The Out of the Dust novel assigned to your student is Little Flower property and is on loan to your child.
Your child may underline passages or make notes in the book as long as notes are written with a pencil. If
the novel is not returned in the same condition in which it was given, a new book must be purchased in order
for Little Flower to have an adequate supply for future readers. I appreciate your cooperation and
involvement in your child’s education.
Sincerely,
Sara Ratliff
sratliff@pensacolalfs.org
455-4851 ext. 206
Please sign, detach, and return the bottom portion with your child by Thursday, March 4, 2010.
This letter is a part of your child’s grade.
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Child’s Name:___________________________________________________________________________
Parent’s Name:___________________________________________________________________________

2. Date:___________________________________________________________________________________