The Place Beyond the Dust Bowl

The Place Beyond the Dust Bowl is a gripping account of life after the "Grapes of Wrath." It is the story of the plight of Hughart’s migrant family from the Dust Bowl of America, who fled to California and the West to start life anew.

The book comes alive in this story of a boy's struggle through life to manhood.
The book spins a tale of drama and wretchedness as a family formerly from Oklahoma struggles for survival in California through the 1950s and 1960s. Your heart will be captured as the story progresses and you will be left with a sense of admiration at the tenacity of a young boy and his fight for survival.
Bear State Books has published the book in softbound for ease of handling and reading. It is a "must have" for those who are interested in life in California after the great Dust Bowl migration.
Schools should take note, as it is a wonderful tool for teaching the lifestyle of the migrant families from the Midwest. A study guide is available.
The book has also been printed in a very limited hardback edition for those who collect hardback editions for their libraries. It is available only from the publisher. The first edition of The Place Beyond the Dust Bowl sold out in nine months. This revised edition has additional text and illustrations.

Publisher: Bear State Books
Pub. Date: May 2003
ISBN-13: 9781892622174

LITERARY HONORS

2002-	Shelved at National John Steinbeck Center Book Store
2003-	Required reading at the College of the Sequoias English Department (English 1 & 360)
2004-	Study Guide produced by Tulare County Office of Education
2006-	Honorable Mention - Hollywood Book Festival
2010-	Honorable Mention - London Book Festival

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Average based on 6 customer review(s).

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Lewis Grizwold

The Fresno Bee, Visalia Week, May 11, 2002

The beauty of the book is that it could be the story of any child of migrant workers from Oklahoma

Terry Goeckner

Downey, CA

I had the pleasure of meeting Ron Hughart before ever knowing he was an author. This provided me a truly different perspective when reading this book. It was a pleasure reading about Ron's childhood, coming of age, and life experiences from a different generation than my own. The book describes in simple terms Ron's daily struggle with hunger, work, school, girls, and the natural elements around him. There are many of "Life's Lessons" to be learned through this author's own experiences.

I'm sure this book will have special meaning to migrant families and their descendants, but I am not from that generation or geographical area and found it completely satisfying. I could identify with almost every David vs. Goliath experience described by Ron (dealing with childhood bullies, overcoming poverty and hunger, doing what's right in life over the wrong thing).

I could probably count the number of books I have read cover-to-cover on one hand. This is a book I will read AGAIN! Thank you Ron for sharing "The Place Beyond the Dust Bowl." The pleasure was all mine!

Dan Roche

Exeter, CA USA

Teachers looking for migrant biographies will find this book an excellent resource. Ron Hughart writes in a comfortable "talkative" style. He makes the reader ponder his own life and how events shape the way one sees the world. The reader may also wince a time or two pondering the lasting effects of childhood labels like "sissy," "sickly" or "retarded." The book is a unique mixture of sad and happy moments. But it is mainly a story of how the human spirit triumphs over fumbling school and family systems that are primarily concerned with their own survival. These systems often fail children, and that Ron eventually learns to fly is an outstanding testimony to the indomitable hopes of a child. An excellent read.

Jeff

Sacramento, CA, USA

An incredible book. I was captured by this story within the first 3 pages! The author's vivid descriptions of his survival (and ultimately, enrichment of self) through harsh, yet realistic, conditions provides the reader with an extremely personal view of what life was like for many children in California during this time. I highly recommend this book.

Louise Maynard

Yup

Right on--yup, this was our lives here in the San Joaquin. A fine account, with great pics to back it up. Great job, thanks, Ron.

sue1960

Visalia, CA

WOW! I just finished reading this book for the third time and I am still overwhelmed at the author's generosity. To share such a truly personal and emotional story of his childhood with us is a gift in itself.
I was born and raised in Central California, in the heart of agriculture, there were many kids like Ron in my life while I was growing up. This book will make you stop, reflect and wonder about those friends you had for such a short time, before they "moved on."
It's a wonderful piece of California history and a marvelous book no matter how or where you grew up. What a great story... an excellent gift for giving!

Ron Hughart

writer/actor

The Place Beyond the Dust Bowl

LITERARY HONORS

Related Products

The Place Beyond the Dust Bowl eReader Version

The Place Beyond the Dust Bowl Study Guide