The Dirty Days: A Young Girl’s Journey to and from the Oklahoma Dust Bowl

by Norma Welty

It is 1933. As a beat-up truck travels down a road away from Arkansas, seven-year-old Molly May Dowden can only hope a better future awaits her parents in Thistleway, Oklahoma.

They have no idea of what is about to come.

With their money safely tucked away in a mattress, the Dowdens feel hopeful as they pass through Oklahoma City. But their hopes for an improved life disintegrate a hundred miles further west when a dust storm swirls dangerously
around their truck. Forced to take shelter inside a dingy cafe with a band of quirky strangers, the Dowdens soon realize that life in Oklahoma may not be as easy as they had hoped. After the family finally settles in their two-room workers’ shanty, one hardship piles up after another as they battle spider bites, rancid water, strange rashes, loneliness, and death. Left with no choice but to bravely persevere through the never-ending drought and dust, Molly and her family soon discover a fortitude they never knew they had.

In this historical tale based on true events, a young girl embarks on a coming-of-age journey where she and her loved ones must nobly fight to survive the Great Depression and the Oklahoma Dust Bowl.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, American History

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2012

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read from the eyes of a child. She has great memory of life in this very difficult time. I thought the story was humbling when I compare her hard life with mine It was a good history lesson.

[julie goss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would you be this strong?

I thought the courage of this woman to write and share her story was amazing.
She shared her life ,thoughts and insights in a very clear and thought provoking story.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informative and well written narrative. What admiration I have for those families living & surviving through this time period!

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read.

This book would make a good teacher read for students. It was very factual and you get a real feel for what the depression was like.

[Mirella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1930 19s rural America, Dirty Days tells the story of a young girl coming of age during the Great Depression - a time of extreme poverty and hardship. Horrible dust storms and the daily struggle to keep the dirt and dust from drinking water, bedding, dishes, and furniture bring the details of day-to-day life into vivid reality. The portrayal of the strife faced by so many because of extreme poverty, foreclosures, hunger, and measly possessions strikes at one 19s very heart.

What made this novel so poignant is that the author based it upon her own firsthand experiences as she and her family grappled to survive. With the addition of fictional characters, she brings to life the hardships faced by farmers who literally watched their livelihood blow away with their topsoil when the winds howled.

Norma Welty gives voice to an era of American history so that our children and grandchildren can understand all that helped shape our history. It is a stark reminder that despite this fast-paced, technological era that we currently live in, our elders faced what seemed like insurmountable strife to provide for their family and future generations.

Brava Norma Welty for taking the time to imprint your story on the minds and hearts of our youth.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was disappointed that the book ended. I wanted more. I was disappointed that the end of the book was rushed. I wanted to know more.

The story is about a family moving from Arkansas to Oklahoma. A coming of age story in the 1930s in the southwest America. During the dust storm. Multiple dust storms. The woman in the story tells of her parents, per siblings birth, her school aged friend's death (result of the storm), and her family's coming into better things.

But after the Dust Storm the woman's story just snowballed quickly to her adult life. I whole heartily believe there could be a part two. A woman in the 1940s-1950s battling in the light of women repression, seems to have made it thru and succeeded.

The woman in the story leaves the last chapter unfinished for a reason. To me the overall story read someone picked up her diary and made a story-which I love reading old diaries. But as I said, I think there could have been a part two.

I thank Molly and her family for sharing her story. One story of many that battled the Great Depression and the Dust Storms. It was a quick but enjoyable read.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting the author through my work and decided to read her book. It is completely wonderful! I loved it on so many levels. It is very authentic and speaks to the heart, and it helped me understand the Dust Bowl period of history better. I always wondered why anyone would stay and try to farm in such conditions, and of course many people did leave, but now I understand the people who stayed and fought the severe conditions, holding onto optimism and small victories. The story of the family, their closeness and how they cared for each other was also so inspiring.

[Sheri Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book. It is historical fiction--a memoir--based on the life of the author who lived through the Dust Bowl era in Oklahoma. Molly May paints a picture of her life that you can envision in her mind. I recommend it.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My father spent some time living in the Texas Panhandle during the Dust Bowl so I was attracted to this book. It gave some insight into the difficulties faced by people from the dust bowl as well as the Depression.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart warming informative tale.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

I enjoyed this book in a way that I have always liked historical biographies. I am so glad that Molly's story was written. When I was working at a nursing home, I had made a suggestion that high schoolers should come into the nursing home and interview some of these residents so that their stories wouldn't be lost. Stories like this are so immportant...

[Anne Walsh · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t force myself to finish this. If it was a spoken story, it would be a long, monotone, run on sentence.

[Doris Rufenacht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Evan Sproul · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started to read this book, I was not sure it was going to draw me in. But I kept reading and and soon realized I was going to have to read the book to whatever conclusion awaited. It is written from the perspective of a young girl (who grows up) and her reactions to her experience in the dust bowl (Oklahoma) during the depression of the 30s.
The story is written as a memoir and is based on real events and people. The book gave me a perspective of dust bowl tragedy coupled with depression poverty, and how; with perseverance, hope, and family; people could rise above the hardships so many faced in those times.
The book is not a block-buster, but it’s a decent read.

[Buddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okie Grit!!

Interest in due to relevance as I grew up in oklahoma. The Strength of character is handled so well I could envision the struggle and the achievements of each character.
Easy read -- which I like!! Terrific method of completing the story!
Thanks Molly Mae!!!