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Children of the Dust Bowl: The True Story of the School at Weedpatch Camp
Illus. with photographs from the Dust Bowl era. This true story took place at the emergency farm-labor camp immortalized in Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath . Ostracized as "dumb Okies," the children of Dust Bowl migrant laborers went without school--until Superintendent Leo Hart and 50 Okie kids built their own school in a nearby field.
85 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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About the author
Jerry Stanley
14 books7 followers“I’ve learned there’s no such thing as wasted writing or bad writing. All writing leads to better writing.”
Jerry Stanley is the author of several highly praised books for young readers, including Children of the Dust Bowl, winner of the Orbis Pictus Award; I Am an American, an ALA Notable Book; and Hurry Freedom, a National Book Award nominee and winner of the Orbis Pictus Award. He is a former professor of history at California State University.
Being a writer is one of the great achievements of my life. As a teenager growing up in Detroit, Michigan, I hated school, all my teachers, and learning in general. When I was expelled from high school at the age of seventeen for fighting, I had passed two units—one in woodshop and one in gym. In bidding me farewell, my counselor fired his last shot at my self’-esteem: “Stanley,” he said, “you’re so dumb you couldn’t finish school even if you tried.”
It has taken a lot to prove him wrong. I joined the Air Force to get away from home and after a few years started taking correspondence courses through the mail. During the day I drove bulldozers and forklifts, and at night I learned how to write a complete sentence. I was twenty-one when I finally received my diploma from high school, which was somewhere near the base but which I never saw or visited. I was playing drums in a rock-’n’-roll band when I left the service and enrolled in junior college. This was the turning point in my life: not what I learned there, but getting the nerve to enroll.
I was the model insecure student, as hardly a day passed without my remembering, “Stanley, you’re so dumb. . . .” I can look back now with amusement and laughter at some of the things I did. For example, when I was registering on the first day, standing in a long line to get past this one station, a woman asked, “What do you think your major will be?” I had no idea of what she meant by “major,” but the girl in front of me said “English” and that got her through, so I said “English” (whatever that was) too. A month or so later, while talking about the upcoming midterm (my first), the teacher said, “Blue books are required. You can’t take the midterm without a blue book.” I spent nearly an hour in the library looking for the blue books—in the card catalog under blue, in the periodicals—until a kind reference librarian told me, without snickering, that they were in the bookstore. Though amusing now, when these things happened to me, they were proof that I would be found out: I don’t belong here.
Fearing failure, I became an overachiever. I overstudied every subject, and wrote and rewrote each term paper before finally relinquishing it. But I still lived in doubt from one grade report to the next. Making the dean’s list, graduating from junior college with honors, and being invited to join an honor society all gave me tremendous confidence—for about a day, before the old demon of self-defeat reemerged. Nevertheless, I made my second big decision and enrolled in a state university. At least I now knew what a major was, and I proclaimed “History,” but the most enduring memory of my first few weeks there was learning how to spell university (in case I suddenly had to).
When it became clear that I would get my bachelor’s degree cum laude, I vowed to continue my education until they kicked me out or until there were no other degrees to earn, whichever came first. This was the easiest decision because it came last and not because I had unshakable confidence in my ability to do graduate work. Looking back, I now see that I was not ready for school when my counselor committed that great crime against me by calling me stupid. The hardest decision was the first time I tried to prove him wrong by enrolling in junior college and showing up for my first class quite literally trembling in my chair.
Before the university said that’s it, I earned a Ph.D. and a Phi Beta Ka
Jerry Stanley is the author of several highly praised books for young readers, including Children of the Dust Bowl, winner of the Orbis Pictus Award; I Am an American, an ALA Notable Book; and Hurry Freedom, a National Book Award nominee and winner of the Orbis Pictus Award. He is a former professor of history at California State University.
Being a writer is one of the great achievements of my life. As a teenager growing up in Detroit, Michigan, I hated school, all my teachers, and learning in general. When I was expelled from high school at the age of seventeen for fighting, I had passed two units—one in woodshop and one in gym. In bidding me farewell, my counselor fired his last shot at my self’-esteem: “Stanley,” he said, “you’re so dumb you couldn’t finish school even if you tried.”
It has taken a lot to prove him wrong. I joined the Air Force to get away from home and after a few years started taking correspondence courses through the mail. During the day I drove bulldozers and forklifts, and at night I learned how to write a complete sentence. I was twenty-one when I finally received my diploma from high school, which was somewhere near the base but which I never saw or visited. I was playing drums in a rock-’n’-roll band when I left the service and enrolled in junior college. This was the turning point in my life: not what I learned there, but getting the nerve to enroll.
I was the model insecure student, as hardly a day passed without my remembering, “Stanley, you’re so dumb. . . .” I can look back now with amusement and laughter at some of the things I did. For example, when I was registering on the first day, standing in a long line to get past this one station, a woman asked, “What do you think your major will be?” I had no idea of what she meant by “major,” but the girl in front of me said “English” and that got her through, so I said “English” (whatever that was) too. A month or so later, while talking about the upcoming midterm (my first), the teacher said, “Blue books are required. You can’t take the midterm without a blue book.” I spent nearly an hour in the library looking for the blue books—in the card catalog under blue, in the periodicals—until a kind reference librarian told me, without snickering, that they were in the bookstore. Though amusing now, when these things happened to me, they were proof that I would be found out: I don’t belong here.
Fearing failure, I became an overachiever. I overstudied every subject, and wrote and rewrote each term paper before finally relinquishing it. But I still lived in doubt from one grade report to the next. Making the dean’s list, graduating from junior college with honors, and being invited to join an honor society all gave me tremendous confidence—for about a day, before the old demon of self-defeat reemerged. Nevertheless, I made my second big decision and enrolled in a state university. At least I now knew what a major was, and I proclaimed “History,” but the most enduring memory of my first few weeks there was learning how to spell university (in case I suddenly had to).
When it became clear that I would get my bachelor’s degree cum laude, I vowed to continue my education until they kicked me out or until there were no other degrees to earn, whichever came first. This was the easiest decision because it came last and not because I had unshakable confidence in my ability to do graduate work. Looking back, I now see that I was not ready for school when my counselor committed that great crime against me by calling me stupid. The hardest decision was the first time I tried to prove him wrong by enrolling in junior college and showing up for my first class quite literally trembling in my chair.
Before the university said that’s it, I earned a Ph.D. and a Phi Beta Ka
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 418 reviews
May 23, 2017
I was surprised at how this book affected me. I thought it would just be a nice, quick lesson in the Dust Bowl migration. It turned out to be a lesson in humanity.
Children of the Dust Bowl: The True Story of the School at Weedpatch Camp is very short. The first half gives the historic background and reasons for the great migration of midwesterners to California. The second half goes into specific details of a school that was started to help the children of these migrants. It's quite enjoyable and over too soon.
I knew "Okie" was a slur, but I didn't realize the people using it were so heartless, ignorant and hateful as to view an "Okie" as less than human. The depth of their lack of understanding seemed to go hand in hand with a contempt that lacked all compassion. These were fellow Americans (never mind humans!) and yet they still treated them like scum and, in some cases, wished them dead.
I read this book because much of what's told within it happened in the area where I bought a house a few years back. I thought a little local history would be interesting. Instead, it made me sick. Perhaps I'm especially sensitive to such things these days in particular. The world and this country specifically is rife with hatred right now. I never would've thought 2017 would feel so much like the 1930s-40s.
Children of the Dust Bowl: The True Story of the School at Weedpatch Camp is very short. The first half gives the historic background and reasons for the great migration of midwesterners to California. The second half goes into specific details of a school that was started to help the children of these migrants. It's quite enjoyable and over too soon.
I knew "Okie" was a slur, but I didn't realize the people using it were so heartless, ignorant and hateful as to view an "Okie" as less than human. The depth of their lack of understanding seemed to go hand in hand with a contempt that lacked all compassion. These were fellow Americans (never mind humans!) and yet they still treated them like scum and, in some cases, wished them dead.
I read this book because much of what's told within it happened in the area where I bought a house a few years back. I thought a little local history would be interesting. Instead, it made me sick. Perhaps I'm especially sensitive to such things these days in particular. The world and this country specifically is rife with hatred right now. I never would've thought 2017 would feel so much like the 1930s-40s.
May 11, 2019
Given the legend status of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, many today may not realize the mayhem caused when the book was originally published in 1939. Farmers in California denounced it, calling it one-sided in favor of the “dumb Okies”. Others thought the book obscene. It was removed from libraries and others refused to buy it.
All the while this was happening, another man, Leo Hart, the Kern County Superintendent of Education was quietly trying to find ways to help the children of those displaced by the drought and dust storms of the Dirty Thirties who had moved to California in hopes of a better life. Because of local hostility, Hart couldn’t use or do anything in an official capacity to help the Okie children. And integrating them in the area schools had proved a bitter failure. With little or no work for their parents, the children came to school poorly dressed and usually barefoot and were teased and harassed unmercifully. Hart decided a school of their own was the only way to go.
So, Leo began to beg, borrow and buy (with whatever money he could lay his hands on) materials necessary to begin building a school within his district, on the land allowed the Okies, known as Weedpatch. A school, by the same name was born. The story of the building of this school is one of the most uplifting I have read in a long time. That the prejudice here is white American v. white American may be why this story is not better known. It was a poor v. rich struggle and nothing to do with color, race, immigration, or the hot button issues of today, so ho-hum. Still, it was a battle over resources, which the people living at the time turned into something else. Fortunately, there was one man with a dream: to help the children have a school of their own, where they could pull themselves out of poverty and enter society as successful adults—something the author traces for us at the end. It is a beautiful story about the power of love, initiative and handwork to overcome hatred and bigotry. And best of all it is TRUE; fully documented with engaging black and white photos. Go Okies!
By the way, the term Okies originated as an opprobrium, “dumb Okies”, which they were taunted with for their poverty, but somewhere along the line, they decided to appropriate the name and own it with pride, as I proudly do. It is great to be an Okie! Also, Okies back then were from Texas, Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico, as well as Oklahoma.
EXCELLENT book! MOST highly recommended!
All the while this was happening, another man, Leo Hart, the Kern County Superintendent of Education was quietly trying to find ways to help the children of those displaced by the drought and dust storms of the Dirty Thirties who had moved to California in hopes of a better life. Because of local hostility, Hart couldn’t use or do anything in an official capacity to help the Okie children. And integrating them in the area schools had proved a bitter failure. With little or no work for their parents, the children came to school poorly dressed and usually barefoot and were teased and harassed unmercifully. Hart decided a school of their own was the only way to go.
So, Leo began to beg, borrow and buy (with whatever money he could lay his hands on) materials necessary to begin building a school within his district, on the land allowed the Okies, known as Weedpatch. A school, by the same name was born. The story of the building of this school is one of the most uplifting I have read in a long time. That the prejudice here is white American v. white American may be why this story is not better known. It was a poor v. rich struggle and nothing to do with color, race, immigration, or the hot button issues of today, so ho-hum. Still, it was a battle over resources, which the people living at the time turned into something else. Fortunately, there was one man with a dream: to help the children have a school of their own, where they could pull themselves out of poverty and enter society as successful adults—something the author traces for us at the end. It is a beautiful story about the power of love, initiative and handwork to overcome hatred and bigotry. And best of all it is TRUE; fully documented with engaging black and white photos. Go Okies!
By the way, the term Okies originated as an opprobrium, “dumb Okies”, which they were taunted with for their poverty, but somewhere along the line, they decided to appropriate the name and own it with pride, as I proudly do. It is great to be an Okie! Also, Okies back then were from Texas, Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico, as well as Oklahoma.
EXCELLENT book! MOST highly recommended!
February 6, 2017
This is a short picture book that focuses on a migrant camp that was mentioned in Steinbecks, Grapes of Wrath. I am familiar with the camp, having grown up and gone to school right next to it. My grandparents were part of the Dustbowl exodus (one of them, my grandmother, Viola White, is still living. She is 94) and even though I wasn't born until the 60's, I was still called an 'Okie' when I was growing up.
We are in the 21st century now, and that camp is still there, and it's still up and running and full of immigrants. Only now, instead of being called 'Okies' they are being called 'Wetbacks'. Hmm, sounds like us humans have a lot to learn besides reading riting and rithmatic. (That's my Okie simplification of the 3 r's)
September 9, 2016
This is non-fiction. It's short in length and deep in content.
Many of the people- especially those as Mr. Hart, central to the beginnings of the school in 1940, are photographed and documented people who were essential in origination and operation of the Weedpatch Camp schooling throughout its existence.
This schooling was in practical base survival skills. Literacy was a goal, yes. But mechanical, trades, manufacturing, farming skills like butchery- all of these were central at Weedpatch. It wasn't just about learning how to read and write and cipher at all.
These Oakies were rejected by CA school systems entirely. The meals were provided for very little charge, and sometimes were free. Most of the physical property and essential structure and needed materials (like typewriters and a hot water heater boiler) were donated. Literally dumped into a field or street in front of the Hart's house or another of the group (Mrs. Hart trudged around begging for inputs tirelessly) who he had gathered for teaching and for construction. There were 10 or 12 people who cemented the teaching ends of this unusual, unusual entity.
It was learning by doing. Most of the place was built by the kids and their teachers themselves. It seems most was on volunteering basis for the adult end at the beginnings.
This is a book for youth, and as such has some asides and an Introduction that explains what Oakie meant (and oftentimes now means in PC interpretation sense)then- as opposed to now. Also that the Oakies were proud of their industry and heritage and still today never take that term as a pejorative. Oakies were strong, survivors, had a morality of discipline and honor.
What is absolutely OUTSTANDING are the maps of origin (the fields they left behind)and the Route #66 journey posts of pause and dire occupation alone the way. Plus dozens of photographs for all of those. Each page is more photograph than copy. But the copy is highly, highly detailed.
The Weedpatch Camp School was not long lived- but its students became advanced in many different fields. And despite the condition or numbers, there were no crimes of violence or no thefts associated or within Weedpatch Camp. No police in association or presence either. These people (kids of vastly different ages and most held no instruction for any literacy in their pasts) held a self imposed morality and amidst terrible, terrible conditions of lack, no policing was ever necessary.
Overall, the last impression of this on me? What VAST difference there is in the world where a child was proud and honored (and super assured for himself/herself and a future) to learn plumbing, carpentry, hog stockade care, and how to butcher and clean an animal for all the uses possible. What a vast difference from one in which children are seldom taught the huge varieties of hands on skills of work or most issues of biologic physical reality. Not associated within a game or sport.
The photographs are 5 star. Everyone should look at these.
Many of the people- especially those as Mr. Hart, central to the beginnings of the school in 1940, are photographed and documented people who were essential in origination and operation of the Weedpatch Camp schooling throughout its existence.
This schooling was in practical base survival skills. Literacy was a goal, yes. But mechanical, trades, manufacturing, farming skills like butchery- all of these were central at Weedpatch. It wasn't just about learning how to read and write and cipher at all.
These Oakies were rejected by CA school systems entirely. The meals were provided for very little charge, and sometimes were free. Most of the physical property and essential structure and needed materials (like typewriters and a hot water heater boiler) were donated. Literally dumped into a field or street in front of the Hart's house or another of the group (Mrs. Hart trudged around begging for inputs tirelessly) who he had gathered for teaching and for construction. There were 10 or 12 people who cemented the teaching ends of this unusual, unusual entity.
It was learning by doing. Most of the place was built by the kids and their teachers themselves. It seems most was on volunteering basis for the adult end at the beginnings.
This is a book for youth, and as such has some asides and an Introduction that explains what Oakie meant (and oftentimes now means in PC interpretation sense)then- as opposed to now. Also that the Oakies were proud of their industry and heritage and still today never take that term as a pejorative. Oakies were strong, survivors, had a morality of discipline and honor.
What is absolutely OUTSTANDING are the maps of origin (the fields they left behind)and the Route #66 journey posts of pause and dire occupation alone the way. Plus dozens of photographs for all of those. Each page is more photograph than copy. But the copy is highly, highly detailed.
The Weedpatch Camp School was not long lived- but its students became advanced in many different fields. And despite the condition or numbers, there were no crimes of violence or no thefts associated or within Weedpatch Camp. No police in association or presence either. These people (kids of vastly different ages and most held no instruction for any literacy in their pasts) held a self imposed morality and amidst terrible, terrible conditions of lack, no policing was ever necessary.
Overall, the last impression of this on me? What VAST difference there is in the world where a child was proud and honored (and super assured for himself/herself and a future) to learn plumbing, carpentry, hog stockade care, and how to butcher and clean an animal for all the uses possible. What a vast difference from one in which children are seldom taught the huge varieties of hands on skills of work or most issues of biologic physical reality. Not associated within a game or sport.
The photographs are 5 star. Everyone should look at these.
November 11, 2016
Excellent introduction to the Dust Bowl and the exiting of Oklahoma residents to California. Very readable, non-fiction account that would hold most tween's attention. I think it could also encourage young readers to search out author John Steinbeck, who is mentioned. Age 10 and up recommendation.
December 3, 2023
Review #2 - December 2023
I've read this twice now for "professional development." This time, I'm ashamed to say, I couldn't find where I left my book, so I listened to the audio and it went well. It's very short only 75 minutes. (I'm not ashamed of listening to an audio book, I'm ashamed that I couldn't find the "safe" place I put the actual book. Lol!)
I was struck, once again, with how incredible those teachers were and the superintendent that set the whole thing up. What an incredible school - teaching them practical and academic skills and making it meaningful and fun. I wish we could teach like that, it's just not possible in this environment. I think this was a a truly unique moment. The superintendent said something like "There were no quantum leaps in knowledge, only little victories, but the main thing was they were learning." I loved that and feel like it applies a lot to the some of the situations my students are dealing with right now.
I was trying to think of ways we could make it feel like the school "belonged" to the students, as those children did back then. I don't really have any great ideas, but it's something to ponder on.
The other thing that stood out to me was how people never change. It's so easy to look at the plight of others and feel sorry for them, but when they actually show up wanting/needing help, that's a completely different. My heart is lifted by those who choose something different - they choose to be kind and help. They choose to try and improve life for everyone, not just the most fortunate. Like Mr. Rogers said, always look for the helpers.
Review #1 - January 2012
This was a fabulous book about people making a difference at a tough time. The author succinctly detailed the circumstances of the "Okies" and the migration to California, during the Great Depression. I didn't know the stories of the "Okies" and it was very interesting to learn about them.
As a teacher, I was greatly impressed with the story of the school. As I was reading I thought "that sounds fun!" In a way I wish that's what teaching could be like now - practical application and ownership. I was impressed with the dedication of these teachers and how much they cared about these students.
I wish that teachers had a little more freedom to do what those educators did, they saw a need and they filled it. They cared about the whole child and filled it, the focus wasn't on "test scores" and "data." I found it interesting that the same people who ostracized the Okies were soon asking for admittance to their school. I think education could learn a lot from this school.
I've read this twice now for "professional development." This time, I'm ashamed to say, I couldn't find where I left my book, so I listened to the audio and it went well. It's very short only 75 minutes. (I'm not ashamed of listening to an audio book, I'm ashamed that I couldn't find the "safe" place I put the actual book. Lol!)
I was struck, once again, with how incredible those teachers were and the superintendent that set the whole thing up. What an incredible school - teaching them practical and academic skills and making it meaningful and fun. I wish we could teach like that, it's just not possible in this environment. I think this was a a truly unique moment. The superintendent said something like "There were no quantum leaps in knowledge, only little victories, but the main thing was they were learning." I loved that and feel like it applies a lot to the some of the situations my students are dealing with right now.
I was trying to think of ways we could make it feel like the school "belonged" to the students, as those children did back then. I don't really have any great ideas, but it's something to ponder on.
The other thing that stood out to me was how people never change. It's so easy to look at the plight of others and feel sorry for them, but when they actually show up wanting/needing help, that's a completely different. My heart is lifted by those who choose something different - they choose to be kind and help. They choose to try and improve life for everyone, not just the most fortunate. Like Mr. Rogers said, always look for the helpers.
Review #1 - January 2012
This was a fabulous book about people making a difference at a tough time. The author succinctly detailed the circumstances of the "Okies" and the migration to California, during the Great Depression. I didn't know the stories of the "Okies" and it was very interesting to learn about them.
As a teacher, I was greatly impressed with the story of the school. As I was reading I thought "that sounds fun!" In a way I wish that's what teaching could be like now - practical application and ownership. I was impressed with the dedication of these teachers and how much they cared about these students.
I wish that teachers had a little more freedom to do what those educators did, they saw a need and they filled it. They cared about the whole child and filled it, the focus wasn't on "test scores" and "data." I found it interesting that the same people who ostracized the Okies were soon asking for admittance to their school. I think education could learn a lot from this school.
October 14, 2018
Having never read The Grapes of Wrath I was not familiar with the plight of the "Okies". What an eye-opener this was! It is a short non-fiction account of the people who moved from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl time in the 1930s, and how education helped the children rise above their circumstances. I've put Grapes of Wrath on hold to read soon.
January 7, 2020
"Okies" — and the trip along Route 66 to the San Joaquin valley where the new arrivals are anything but welcome. This is a peek into a moment in history, with a focus on prejudice and the difference one person can make. Somehow, the teachers who offered to work at the school also knew how to concoct lotions and cosmetics, build the school, wire it, add plumbing, raise hogs, put in a swimming pool, repair farm equipment, make dress patterns, fly a plane, ...
Now I need to find my copy of Grapes of Wrath.
Now I need to find my copy of Grapes of Wrath.
January 25, 2011
Reason for Reading: Read aloud to my son for our history curriculum.
This is the story of a group of people who called themselves "Okies", having come from the Oklahoma region, who migrated to California from the Dust Bowl area during the Depression of the 1930's. Through extensive photographs and quotes from those who were youngsters at the time we get an insider's look at the Dust Bowl and what it was like to live there at the time. We are taken along for the ride as jalopies laden down with a family's worldly goods headed west for migrant farm work in the San Joaquin Valley area of California. Then the book focuses on life there for the "Okies" They met terrible opposition from the people already living there and prejudice became rampant. The "Okies" lived a bedraggled life in tents, with rags for clothing and children who were not wanted in the schools. Children would taunt them and teachers would ignore them. The prejudice they faced was almost unbelievable that it resembled racism. One person is quoted as comparing them to "white folks". How are people from Oklahoma less white than those from California?!?! My son and I were amazed and shook our heads at how little it can take for prejudice and racism to rise from the smallest of differences between people.
Then comes along Leo Hart, a high school counselor who saw the need for these children to be educated and through sheer determination and wits he began to build a school for them. He easily raised money from the Californians when they learnt the money was to build a separate school for the "Okie" children and he scoured the universities looking for like-minded graduate teachers to come teach at his school. Together, Leo, the children, staff and parents built the school and as soon as possible classes started taking place. There were two rotations where half the school would work on academics in the am and work on building in the pm and then they'd switch at lunchtime. Little did they know that the Weedpatch School would become such a success. Leo was ahead of his times in wanting to create a diverse education for his students which not only included the academics but also included animal husbandry, carpentry, plumbing, agriculture (growing their own food for their cafeteria), kitchen skills, (the cafeteria meal was prepared by teachers and students together). One of the teachers who taught typing and stenography was also the chemistry teacher and she taught the girls how to make their own face cream and cosmetics! The school also had its own C-46 where they were taught aircraft mechanics and any students earning marks over 90% in math were allowed to drive the plane up and down the runway!
This book is suitable for middle grade to young teen readers and as a read aloud to younger students. The writing isn't exactly the most compelling narrative, but the story itself is so interesting that with the photographs and quotes from the surviving children make it a powerful read despite any dryness in the writing. A great book for getting a feel for the Dust Bowl, and the resulting migrant workers and their hardships. The story has ties to Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath which are discussed in the text and the two would make a good read together for older students.
This is the story of a group of people who called themselves "Okies", having come from the Oklahoma region, who migrated to California from the Dust Bowl area during the Depression of the 1930's. Through extensive photographs and quotes from those who were youngsters at the time we get an insider's look at the Dust Bowl and what it was like to live there at the time. We are taken along for the ride as jalopies laden down with a family's worldly goods headed west for migrant farm work in the San Joaquin Valley area of California. Then the book focuses on life there for the "Okies" They met terrible opposition from the people already living there and prejudice became rampant. The "Okies" lived a bedraggled life in tents, with rags for clothing and children who were not wanted in the schools. Children would taunt them and teachers would ignore them. The prejudice they faced was almost unbelievable that it resembled racism. One person is quoted as comparing them to "white folks". How are people from Oklahoma less white than those from California?!?! My son and I were amazed and shook our heads at how little it can take for prejudice and racism to rise from the smallest of differences between people.
Then comes along Leo Hart, a high school counselor who saw the need for these children to be educated and through sheer determination and wits he began to build a school for them. He easily raised money from the Californians when they learnt the money was to build a separate school for the "Okie" children and he scoured the universities looking for like-minded graduate teachers to come teach at his school. Together, Leo, the children, staff and parents built the school and as soon as possible classes started taking place. There were two rotations where half the school would work on academics in the am and work on building in the pm and then they'd switch at lunchtime. Little did they know that the Weedpatch School would become such a success. Leo was ahead of his times in wanting to create a diverse education for his students which not only included the academics but also included animal husbandry, carpentry, plumbing, agriculture (growing their own food for their cafeteria), kitchen skills, (the cafeteria meal was prepared by teachers and students together). One of the teachers who taught typing and stenography was also the chemistry teacher and she taught the girls how to make their own face cream and cosmetics! The school also had its own C-46 where they were taught aircraft mechanics and any students earning marks over 90% in math were allowed to drive the plane up and down the runway!
This book is suitable for middle grade to young teen readers and as a read aloud to younger students. The writing isn't exactly the most compelling narrative, but the story itself is so interesting that with the photographs and quotes from the surviving children make it a powerful read despite any dryness in the writing. A great book for getting a feel for the Dust Bowl, and the resulting migrant workers and their hardships. The story has ties to Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath which are discussed in the text and the two would make a good read together for older students.
March 7, 2019
A short story highlighting the "Okies" and the Weedpatch School, it is a wonderful story of self-reliance and the caring of a man for Dust Bowl era children and their education.
October 5, 2023
Ain’t no way I had this at four stars 💀💀💀💀💀
November 11, 2022
While studying the depression era of U.S. History, we waded off into the effects of the dustbowl. This book was recommended reading and it was interesting, inspirational and full of period photographs. Having never read the Grapes of Wrath, Children of the Dustbowl gave a very quick overview of the Oklahoma migrants into California and the extreme hardships and prejudice they endured.
July 27, 2022
Interesting point of view of the Dust Bowl and how it effected the children developmentally and socially. Also had an interesting take on the role of education as students were able to learn basic school subjects in addition to life and social skills that they lacked from being excluded from schools/society in California.
March 6, 2015
The summer I read GRAPES OF WRATH, I also found a little gem called HARVEST GYPSIES, a nonfiction piece. A collection of essays about Steinbeck's visits to migrant workers' camps in CA. This book tell sthe story of one of those camps.
Weedpatch...the name alone conveys the value others held for the workers and their families. Weedpatch. Kids were barred from attending schools in the neighboring towns, told they were dirty, ignorant, unworthy. So, one courageous man with a vision, Leo Hart, decides to build a school AT Weedpatch. Kids help in the construction. They frame it, they build it. Even when it was burned, they kept building. They created their OWN school, with academics and vocational training. They thrived, they felt ownership. Other educators joined and a school was born.
This is an inspiring story of leadership, vision, determination. This is a story about saving children with education and a sense of worth. The local school district who initially spurned the school and its students, eventually merged with it, and townie kiddos attended Weedpatch School.
Education can save lives.
Weedpatch...the name alone conveys the value others held for the workers and their families. Weedpatch. Kids were barred from attending schools in the neighboring towns, told they were dirty, ignorant, unworthy. So, one courageous man with a vision, Leo Hart, decides to build a school AT Weedpatch. Kids help in the construction. They frame it, they build it. Even when it was burned, they kept building. They created their OWN school, with academics and vocational training. They thrived, they felt ownership. Other educators joined and a school was born.
This is an inspiring story of leadership, vision, determination. This is a story about saving children with education and a sense of worth. The local school district who initially spurned the school and its students, eventually merged with it, and townie kiddos attended Weedpatch School.
Education can save lives.
October 30, 2011
Overall, Children of the Dust Bowl is an excellent book to use when teaching students about the life of Great Plains farm laborers during the Great Depression and the long drought that plagued residents west of the Mississippi River in the 1930’s and early 1940’s. While the text is compelling, the black and white photographs of the people, their homes and modes of transportation add a level of depth that no words can describe. The photos almost let you see into the souls of these children and their families and a reader can begin to empathize with the hardships they faced. By focusing in on one community in particular, the author enables the students to study the effects of the Dust Bowl on a micro level. By taking a closer look at the way of life of the people, children can make a stronger connection and take away more pertinent information than a plain, old textbook could ever provide. The combination of the language and images make this nonfiction book ideal for the elementary classroom.
December 31, 2014
I love some of the old educational movements where students participated fully in the entire process of the educational system: upkeep of the building, growing and raising of the food--learning by doing. Another testament proving that everybody learns more and better when there is personal buy-in and investment, which, in many ways, is completely opposite of what we have today.
September 6, 2009
I loved this book! Goes to show what a lot of hard work and even more determination can do!
February 8, 2018
The Okie Children were Children who participated in the dust bowl and migration to California. In California the children were told they were unable to go to school because they were "Okies and unable to even talk and imagine them in school" some said. Then after hearing this a man and his wife Mr and Mrs Hart became the only Californians to become friends with the Okies or even start to except them. The harts and the Okie children next began to build up a school that was not even imagine able for anyone but them.
The harts became friends with the Okies and gained strong love for each other. The affect to this brought a school and better learning skills to the kids. The children wanting to work and get going made an affect to make their school a school for all Okie children and not just those who could pay. The whole book has cause and effect;s all over in it. The dust bowl making the Children and their family's immigrate would not have happen unless cause and effect.
This book was not my favorite. The writing told it as as story and that was defiantly good, but the way the words were put into order made it hard to understand and read. I didn't like how it didn't actually talk about the dust bowl and more about California. It would be good for people who are super interested in this kind of history, but for the others it might just turn out to be a real big boring book not worth reading.
The harts became friends with the Okies and gained strong love for each other. The affect to this brought a school and better learning skills to the kids. The children wanting to work and get going made an affect to make their school a school for all Okie children and not just those who could pay. The whole book has cause and effect;s all over in it. The dust bowl making the Children and their family's immigrate would not have happen unless cause and effect.
This book was not my favorite. The writing told it as as story and that was defiantly good, but the way the words were put into order made it hard to understand and read. I didn't like how it didn't actually talk about the dust bowl and more about California. It would be good for people who are super interested in this kind of history, but for the others it might just turn out to be a real big boring book not worth reading.
February 8, 2018
In Oklahoma there where tons of giant dust storms ruining crops and lives. There were many farmers called Oakies who couldn't take care of there crops because of them being in the dust storms. They moved to California hearing there were jobs, just to find that there were not very many openings. This book shows there experiences and how rude people were to them.
First wind started to blow, then it lifted up dirt. Next the dirt ruined crops, and homes. After that the Oakies heard there were jobs in California, which caused them to move there. The people in California didn't like the oakies, So they wouldn't feed them. Then the people started to starve and die.
Non-fiction is not my favorite subject, but for this being a non-fiction book it was one of the best I've read. It made me feel bad for the Oakies and told the story of the great depression from a different point of view.
First wind started to blow, then it lifted up dirt. Next the dirt ruined crops, and homes. After that the Oakies heard there were jobs in California, which caused them to move there. The people in California didn't like the oakies, So they wouldn't feed them. Then the people started to starve and die.
Non-fiction is not my favorite subject, but for this being a non-fiction book it was one of the best I've read. It made me feel bad for the Oakies and told the story of the great depression from a different point of view.
June 4, 2021
This is a super short book but is great. It is an easy to understand book about what really was happening to the kids of the dust bowl who migrated to California. The images showed some of the harsh realities they faced. But it also gave hope and shows that with determination and perseverance you can overcome the harsh life that may be brought on.
September 3, 2021
In children of the dust bowl, a cruel storm falls upon the farmers of the dustbowl at an already hard time and they have to migrate to California. When there, they are met by rude and angry mobs, then a kind man helps them to found their own place in Calafornia.
May 13, 2022
Interesting and inspirational read about children that weren’t given opportunities to succeed during the dust bowl era. One man changed the course of many young lives. Very short, easy read that inspired me to do better
December 21, 2023
We all enjoyed this very much. It was such a personal look at what life was like for "the Okies" during the Great Depression
July 20, 2025
This was a very interesting read especially to think about the crossovers with today
December 9, 2021
Short explanation of the true events in The Grapes of Wrath. The superintendent of the Arvin Federal Emergency School was an amazing man, who saw needs of a group of people, not problems, and helped meet those needs. I loved that his children and the principal’s children attended the “okie” school. Nothing says you have faith in the solution like letting your family participate in the solution!
July 17, 2020
For a nonfictional book, it was very interesting. Did you know Okies was a negative term?
December 19, 2018
Learning to appreciate what you have by reading about those that didn’t. They made the best out of what was given them and more.
A pleasurable reading experience.
A pleasurable reading experience.
Want to Read
April 22, 2018Text-to-Text-Connection
The True Story at Weed Patch Camp is a story based on things that happened throughout the lives of children living through the Dust Bowl. A terrific book to compare this story to is the book Out of the Dust Bowl. Both of books tell stories about children living through this horrendous life experience. I can use this in my classroom to teach about this time period. Also, what children their age or a little older live through an experience.
The True Story at Weed Patch Camp is a story based on things that happened throughout the lives of children living through the Dust Bowl. A terrific book to compare this story to is the book Out of the Dust Bowl. Both of books tell stories about children living through this horrendous life experience. I can use this in my classroom to teach about this time period. Also, what children their age or a little older live through an experience.
March 8, 2021
i liked it because it tells you how the kids got to make their own school and how everyone was making fun of them till they got a pool in the school then everyone was jealous. I also liked it because it tells you how the okies lived.
March 8, 2021
I thought the book was good at telling the story of okies and the hard work they had to go through.
Although I am not the greatest reader it was a good book for reading in school.
Although I am not the greatest reader it was a good book for reading in school.
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