Kevin Blake

Sick Soil Kevin Blake

On April 14, 1935 in Boise City, Oklahoma, the sky turned black as a massive, swirling cloud of dust engulfed the city. “It got so dark that you couldn’t see your hand before your face,” remembered one farmer. Blinded drivers drove their cars off the side of the road. Terrified cows spun in circles. People covered their faces, gasping for breath. This was one of many dark days during the Dust Bowl. Sick Soil: The Dust Bowl traces the tragic story of the devastating dust storms that swept across the Midwest in the 1930s as a result of over-farming and drought. Fascinating photos of the actual events, maps, and fact boxes enrich the compelling text. The personal and heart-breaking story will grip and inspire young readers.