Out of the Dust

Main Characters Billie Jo Kelby- Main Character; She lives in the 1930’s

during the Dust Bowl in OklahomaBillie’s Mother- She is pregnant Billie’s Father- Hoping that the baby is a boy to help with his

failing farm.

Billie Jo Loves to Play the PianoBillie Jo learned to play the piano from her

mother. She is very good at it, though her mother doesn't approve because Billie Jo plays it differently. Her mother likes classical but Billie likes to play ragtime.

Arley and the Black Mesa BoysArley asks Billie Jo to play the piano in shows with

the group, The Black Mesa Boys who perform ragtime music. Her mother didn’t like Billie playing in the shows, but she let her anyway, mostly because of the money. One of the boys is nicknamed Mad Dog and Billie pretends not to like him but secretly she does.

The AccidentBillie’s father had brought in a pail of kerosene.

Her mother thought it was water and put it on the stove to make coffee. It lit on fire and she ran outside. Billie knew it would light the house on fire so she grabbed it, burning herself, than threw it out the door. But her mom would coming back in, and she got hurt very badly.

Tragedy Billie Jo’s mom days while giving birth to her brother, which

she names Franklin. Her Aunt was going to come and take Franklin in as her own. Her burns are very painful also. Soon after her mother dies though, Franklin also dies. Her father is depressed and Billie can’t even play the piano anymore!

Making Up

After a while, Billie finally starts to forgive her father for the kerosene and starts to get along better with him. Her father starts dating a really nice lady named Louise. Billie’s hands heal up enough and she begins to play the piano again.

Her Father somehow manages to keep their farm alive with his “Man-made pond.”

Billie Jo is happy again.