I Survived the Dust Bowl, 1935

by Lauren Tarshis

The conditions of the Dust Bowl created over 2.5 million refugees who fled massive dust storms and barren landscapes. Lauren Tarshis's story of one boy's journey to escape this disaster will leave you breathless.

The Dust Bowl of the 1930s was the worst environmental disaster in American history, a time when “black blizzards” of dust, some hundreds of miles wide, swept across the southern plains. Hundreds of people were killed. Thousands of farms were buried. Millions of refugees fled starvation and sickness in the plains only to face hatred and prejudice in California.

In her 25th I Survived book, Lauren Tarshis brings this desperate time of poverty and fear to life through the thrilling story of an eleven-year-old boy who risks his life to save his family and friends during the worst dust storm of all, an event that would become known as "Black Sunday." Includes a section of nonfiction back matter with more facts and photos about the real-life event.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Adventure, Juvenile, Survival, Middle Grade

144 pages, Paperback

Published October 7, 2025

About the author

Lauren Tarshis often wonders how she came to spend most of her waking moments thinking about disasters, as the author of the children's historical fiction series "I Survived." Each book takes readers into the heart of history's most thrilling and terrifying events, including the sinking of the Titanic, the Shark Attacks of 1916, Hurricane Katrina, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the San Francisco earthquake, 9/11, and the Battle of Gettysburg. Writing these books often makes her feel very nervous, as though at any moment a volcano could erupt right outside her window. Then again, she has learned a thing or two about avoiding being eaten by a shark.
Lauren is also the author of the the award-winning Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree and its sequel, Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love.

For more information, go to her website: www.LaurenTarshis.com

And check out the I Survived Website: www.Scholastic.com/ISurvived

Reviews

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s no magic formula for staying strong in tough times. Sometimes all we can do is keep going, day by day, doing the best we can, hoping —believing —that life will get better. - Lauren Tarshis

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very educational series. This short story is about a fictional family living in the Texas panhandle that stayed put on their farm and survived the 4 year dust bowl. At the end of the book the author talks about her research of the dust bowl. What caused it, etc.

[Kat V · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest I just didn’t like this one as much as the others. That being said I would still put it in my classroom. 3.2 stars

[Allison Lienen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my class because we study the dust bowl in fourth grade social studies. Most gave it a 4 or 5. The ones who gave it a lower score said it was too short and needed more substance and I agree.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series and I will wait anxiously for another one.

[Michelle Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah gutted me, broke me and made me ashamed to be an American. As an elementary school librarian, I read this book to my 4th graders. This was a perfect companion read to The Four Winds. Tarshis is skilled in succinctly weaving fictional characters into an historical disaster. She always includes several pages of nonfiction information to give readers greater insight to the impact the disaster had on the people and the location of the disaster.

I plan to read all of her books and highly recommend them to children and adults.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the ending was a little rushed, but this was still really good.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t personally enjoy this book as much as other I Survived titles. However, it did spark interest among some students-encouraging them to explore other books in the series.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Ray lives on a farm in the Texas Panhandle in 1935, during the Great Depression. His best friend, Dolly, frequently accompanies him on his adventures, but things are changing in their small town. The bakery where the two occasionally buy cookies has closed, and many of their classmates in their one room school house have moved to California to pursue better opportunities. Still, there are some boys who show up in the two, having ridden on freight trains away from their own homes. When dust storms arise, Ray and Dolly know to seek shelter, but these storms seem to be becoming more frequent, and the two get caught in town, at school, and at home, where they have to ride out the dust and spend hours cleaning up afterwards. At one point, Ray's father ventures out to check on the chickens, and it is a tense time until he returns. Even with all of the precautions like Vaseline to line their nostrils, wet cloths and even surplus WWI era gas masks to block particulates, and protocols for sheltering in place, many people, including Dolly's brother Skippy, develop "dust pneumonia" and have trouble breathing. When Dolly's family leaves for California and Ray's family is in danger of losing their farm to the bank, Ray decides to strike out on his own, but runs into complications. There is historical information as well as period photographs at the end of the book.

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the 1929 stock market crash, I am glad to see new books on the Great Depression such as Colman's Where Only Storms Grow and Ruiz-Flores' The Pecan Sheller. The books written shortly after this era don't delve as much into the health implications of the dust storms, or the environmental issues that led to the soil erosion and subsequest dust storms. Both of these issues interest my students.

While there were many topics that are frequently covered, like children riding the rails, farms being foreclosed, and the suffocating terror of being caught in a storm. I did learn some new and surprising things, such as the fact that World War I surplus gas masks were distributed to children so that they could breathe somewhat more freely, and the odd occurrence of rain clouds meeting with dust clouds and producing showers of MUD!

The best part of the I Survived books are the historical back matter, which includes period photos and much discussion of a variety of topics. I would have avidly saved my allowance to purchase these titles in elementary school! I always encourage students to further their investigations with nonfiction titles, which in this case would include Brown's The Great American Dust Bowl and Sandler's Picturing a Nation.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 25th installment in Lauren Tarshis’ highly successful I Survived series focuses on The Dust Bowl period, specifically in 1935 and in the panhandle area of Texas. Her main characters, Ray and Dolly, are fictional, but based on an amalgamation of research and actual children met while she was touring areas that endured the swirling dust storms that tormented large sections of the High Plains during the Great Depression. Through their eyes, readers will experience the storms and their after effects including massive clean up, dry and cracked farmland that would no longer produce crops, and debilitating health effects in addition to the fear, desperation and hopeless that was felt by so many. But Tarshis also includes the determination to survive exhibited by so many as well as the hope of a brighter future that kept people going.

Ray and Dolly’s stories are factual but Tarshis does not get so overly detailed that younger elementary readers will be alarmed, only informed. She sprinkles historical figures such as Babe Ruth, Amelia Earhart, Jesse Owens and Florence Nightingale seamlessly into the plot giving readers brief bits about their accomplishments and adding to the learning potential of the book. After the storms end and readers get a look at the adult lives of the main characters, approximately 100 pages, Tarshis includes another 40 pages of factual information covering the environmental and human factors that caused the massive dust storms, the overlap with The Great Depression, the flight of many to California in the hope of great opportunities, the occurrences of dust storms today and the continuing efforts of farmers, researchers and others to keep the land healthy enough to avoid another period of dust storms.

Highly recommended for ages 7-12. For those who want more information about the Dust Bowl period in a historical fiction format, try the older but still excellent Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse and the more recent and truly outstanding Where Only Storms Grow by Alyssa Colman.

[Melanie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Survived The Dust Bowl, 1935 by Lauren Tarshis

What a powerful read! If you're looking for a fantastic family read, this is it. Each and every chapter had my son and I wanting more. What is usually a chapter or two read per night ended up being multiple chapters.

This is definitely a book for late primary, early high school and even adults too. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical context and characterisation. Ray is a courageous young boy who cares deeply for his family. His strength and thoughtfulness towards others is shown in his actions and kind words.

It's wonderful to see a historical fiction novel exploring a time and disaster that impacted many lives, yet something I have personally not come across before. The non fiction section at the back of this book is informative and it is evident how much Lauren Tarshis has researched this time period.

These dust storms changed lives and caused unimaginable heartache. Lauren writes authentically and brings history to life. She is a talented author who writes authentically, considering historical context and time period with such care. An unforgettable experience of a novel! Congratulations @laurentarshis @scholastic_au

This is one book that will no doubt be read again by our family. What a compelling read!

#bookreview

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Eleven-year-old Ray Nicholson stared in horror at the massive cloud racing across the sky. It was a mountain of churning blackness that rose up thousands of feet in the air. It stretched out as far as Ray could see.

Premise/plot: I Survived the Dust Bowl, 1935, is set in the Texas Panhandle. Ray Nicholson is the protagonist. He and his friends are eye-witness to the struggles facing the community: the drought, the dust storms, dust pneumonia and other lung issues, the economy, etc. Ray is in the middle of running away from home--trying to catch a train to California--when a BIG dust storm comes that gives him a new outlook on life.

My thoughts: I liked this one well enough. I think the I Survived series--this is the twenty-fifth I believe--definitely have a time and place in libraries--public, school, classroom, and personal. Young readers often go through a phase where predictable series are EVERYTHING. Binge-reading though a beloved series is such an important stage. And I think the series as a whole is definitely good. I enjoy this series because it always includes some nonfiction back matter to supplement the story. Yet it isn't a separate companion book like another series.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dusty old dust is a-gettin' my home,
And I got to be drifting along. ~ Woody Guthrie

What was it like to live through the Dust Bowl? Lauren Tarshis read books on the storms that afflicted a swath of the Southern plains in the 1930's. She also spent time in a little town named Dalhart in the Texas panhandle. During her visit she was able to interview a woman who remembers experiencing the dust storms that caused many to pick up and leave for other parts of the country.

This was a read with my grand J. When we finished today each of us shared our favorite chapter. For J it was Chapter 14 when Ray, the main character, decides to leave home and try to jump a train for California. He manages to pull himself into a boxcar and is promptly pushed back out by a hobo who didn't want to share.

For me it was Chapter 18 which functions much like an Epilogue. We get to find out what happened to all the folks in the book and see how they are doing fifteen years later (1950).

In addition to her fictional tale of Ray and his friend Dolly experiencing the trials of the Dust Storm era, Tarshis includes a chapter about her research adventures and another full of Dust Bowl facts and pics.

If you haven't tried an I Survived book yet, this would be a great place to start!

[Sara Luchuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Tarshis took on a monumental task when she set out to write an I Survived story about the Dust Bowl. That’s because the Dust Bowl was not just one disastrous event, but one disaster after another, affecting a large area of the country over a period of at least eight years. Although I Survived the Dust Bowl, 1935 only portrayed what it was like in one small town in Texas, Ms. Tarshis has done an excellent job of conveying the magnitude of the situation. At the same time, she does not allow her characters (or her readers) to give up in despair. Instead, she shows that there is always reason for hope even in the most desperate times. Not only does she tell a fast-paced and engaging story, but she also weaves into the plot interesting references to other Depression-era events and personalities. The story is followed by factual information about the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, along with a bibliography and highlights of the author’s experiences in researching the story. Put all of this together, and you get a book that will inspire children to read more, learn more, and, most importantly, to hold onto hope.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a meaningful read that I experience alongside my 8 year old son. I'll admit that, as a whole, The I Survived series can feel a bit heavy to me. There are often intense themes and a lot of sadness from past events. It's not typically the kind of book I would have chosen for myself as a child, nor one I'd naturally gravitate toward now. However, this particular story stood out in a positive way.

It offered a clear and engaging look at the real historical events, presenting the Dust Bowl in a way that was accessible and informative without feeling overwhelming. The illustrations were beautifully done and added depth to the reading experience.

What I appreciated the most was the ending, as it carried an uplifting, encouraging message about perseverance and continuing on through hardship, which felt especially valuable. While it may not be my usual preference, I'm really glad we read this together. It was both educational and interesting, and it sparked meaningful conversation along the way.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the Great Depression. Not only was life cash-strapped all over the country, but, in the dusty town of Texas, it was strapped and dirty. One would expect to see nothing but dust in dirty ole’ Texas.

“Rule #1 in a dust storm: Never be caught outside. The swirling dirt and dust could choke you, blind you, rip up your skin.” Really? Rip up your skin, eh?

Man, I’d hate to live in dust storms and mud rain.

This was a great story with nice illustrations. Little Ray was a brave boy trying to help his family any way he could. When a bank threatens to take his family farm, he takes drastic measures. Soon, Ray will find himself in the biggest dust storm ever. What a terrifying ordeal! A great read!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. This one hit close to home as I recently was with a 103 yo woman in her last days. She told me about how she and her husband ( as children in nearby towns) survived the dust bowl. It made it so real to me for the first time. Her daily chore was to wet down the outside of her house ( the front door, porch, walkway) to keep down the dust from getting in. Her husband when he was in his early 80s got diagnosed with what they thought was lung cancer and they went in to do a needle biopsy and discovered it was encapsulated dust from the dust bowl!! As I read this book, it was her voice I heard reading it.

[Angel Mouser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like the Dust Bowl is just such a hard natural disaster to fit into this series' typical format. I think this book was able to show different ways people reacted to the disaster by giving subplots to the supporting characters, but I don't know if there was enough substance to the actual "survival" of this narrator, compared to some of the examples we've seen before. I now want to have a book on "I survived being struck by lightning" or something similar after the short electrocution plot in this one.

[Liesl · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite parts of the "I Survived" series are the facts and information at the back of the book that give context to the adventure we just read about, and this was no exception. But I also appreciated the underlying message that sometimes to get through hard times, you just have to keep going even if the odds are stacked against you.

Also, I'll be honest: everything I know about The Dust Bowl, I learned from reading "The Grapes of Wrath" sixteen years ago, so it was great to get a refresher!

[Avery Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Historical Fiction
Grades: 3-6
This was such a great book! I really enjoy how this book and the "I Survived" series is a very great way for students to learn about historical events, but through a fictional character that students can relate to! Also, I appreciate how this book provides illustrations during some of the more intense parts of the story line that helps readers visualize what they are reading.

[Summer Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

This book breaks the I Survived formula a little bit, but I liked the variation. Tarshis is always so thorough in her research. I appreciate the small details she includes in her stories that make the setting come alive. I love that her characters are scared AND brave at the same time. I love how these books encourage readers with hope in difficult times.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a minute since I read an I Survived book, and this newest one interested me because I grew up in Oklahoma. These quick reads are popular with the kids, and this one will be no different! I appreciate the back matter, where Ms. Tarshis always gives more information about the historical event that she is focusing on in her novel, and recommendations for further reading and viewing.

[Tyffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first "I Survived" book and I am surprised how it was much easier to read than I expected. I was really nervous reading about such a tragic event. It was great though! It gently guided me through this hard event so I understood the seriousness without too much sorrow. I want to learn, but not by making myself incredibly depressed.

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter loves these books so we read them together. I enjoy reading them with her as they always have so much information about each topic they are about. I love learning about new things that have happened and how much research Lauren puts into each book to give us the extra information about the events happening.

[Gretchen Bunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jennifer A. Nielsen kind of ruined Lauren Tarshis for me.

It was fine but very short and I didn’t care much about the characters, and the story stopped abruptly. I get that it’s for kids though and my son loved it.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and easy. Read this one for the school Battle of the Books competition. This will be a great read for the upper elementary kids. Cute story- plus lots of true facts added to the back of the book.

[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read a bad book in this series yet. I'm learning about history in a fun way that wasn't taught to me in school. I'll retain the information better when presented in this form. Keep writing books in this series please.
Also, great cover artwork. Very eye-catching.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn’t hold my interest. I was hoping to learn more about the Dust Bowl and the dust storms that plagued the area, but the facts were few and, while the story was relatable for kids, it just didn’t have the oomph I have grown accustomed to in the other stories.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-1/2 stars rounded up to 4. Read for Middle Grade March and I think this book would be great for ages 8-12. I've seen this series of books, but this is the first one I've read. I love this approach to teaching about historical events. I learned a lot myself! The audiobook is well done.

[Mattie Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

there's nothing I didnt like about it, but its not like I would go on requesting this to every person on the streets. Will still read these books until the author stops making them, even if im in my twenties.

rating: 4 stars