Out of the Dust: Summer 1935 - Autumn 1935

by Karen Hesse
Written in free verse, this Newbery Medal-winning novel details the struggles of an Oklahoman teenager during the dust-filled years of the Great Depression.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Winter 1934-Spring 1934, Summer 1934-Autumn 1934, Winter 1935, Spring 1935, Summer 1935-Autumn 1935
15 words 1796 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. kerchief
    a square scarf folded into a triangle and worn over the head
    I try to contain the ache as I leave my bed,
    I try to still my heart as I
    slip from my room with my kerchief of dimes.
  2. hoard
    save up as for future use
    I feed him two of the stale biscuits I’ve been hoarding
    and save the rest.
  3. kin
    group of people related by blood or marriage
    Lost our land, they tractored us out so’s we had to
    leave,
    rented awhile, then moved in with Lucille’s kin.
  4. sustain
    supply with necessities and support
    Holding on to life, with reserves underneath
    to sustain him, and me,
    and anyone else who came near.
  5. longing
    prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
    The children in the picture were clean and serious,
    looking out with a certain longing.
  6. mottled
    having spots or patches of color
    Doc looks carefully at the mottled skin,
    the stretched and striped and crackled skin.
  7. flinch
    draw back, as with fear or pain
    I look straight into Louise’s face.
    Louise doesn’t flinch.
    She looks straight back.
  8. nourish
    provide with sustenance
    I walk with Daddy around the farm
    and see that
    the pond is holding its own,
    it will keep Ma’s apple trees alive,
    nourish her garden,
    help the grass around it grow
  9. expectation
    anticipating with confidence of fulfillment
    The poppies set to
    bloom on Ma and Franklin’s grave,
    the morning with the whole day waiting,
    full of promise,
    the night
    of quiet, of no expectations, of rest.
  10. sassy
    improperly forward or bold
    We are both confident, and a little sassy.
  11. intention
    the goal with respect to a marriage proposal
    I was so full
    my lids
    sighed shut and Daddy walked with Louise instead of
    me
    out to Ma and Franklin’s grave,
    where he let Ma know his intentions.
  12. object
    express or raise a protest or criticism
    And Ma’s bones didn’t object.
    Neither did mine.
  13. betrothal
    a mutual promise to marry
    Daddy bought a second mule with Louise’s help.
    Her betrothal gift to him.
  14. diversification
    the act of introducing variety
    Daddy said he’d try some sorghum,
    maybe some cotton,
    admitting as how there might be something
    to this notion of diversification folks were
    talking about,
    and yes, he’d bring the grass back
    like Ma wanted,
    where he wasn’t planting anything else.
  15. comical
    arousing or provoking laughter
    She wears a comical hat, with flowers,
    in December,
    and when she smiles,
    her face is
    full enough of springtime, it makes
    her hat seem just right.
Created on Tue Oct 17 19:30:07 EDT 2017 (updated Tue Jun 17 19:17:13 EDT 2025)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.