Details:
- author: Dusti Bowling
- full title: Dust
- narrator: Laura Knight Keating
- genre: middle grade
- topics: #bullying, #abuse, #magicalrealism
- publisher: Hachette Audio
- publish date: 15 Aug 2023
- timing: 6:54:00
My Rating of the Audiobook:
- content: 💙💙💙💙.5
- narration: 💙💙💙💙💙
My Thoughts:
Due to her asthma attacks triggered by humid air, Avalyn moved to Arizona as a toddler, where the air is drier. For the last decade, she has been able to breathe normally. However, there is now a sudden increase in dust storms in her hometown.But she doesn’t have time for health issues now. Avalyn’s thoughts are occupied with her interests, friends, and bullies at school. She is a spelling enthusiast and has an upcoming spelling bee competition. Also, a quiet, mysterious boy moves into her town.
Dust is an excellent middle-grade novel with a powerful message. It deals with serious topics like bullying and child abuse. I love the magical realism woven into the story. New words and spellings are a great addition to this novel. Readers can expand their vocabulary. Dust made me think of another excellent middle-grade book: Aftermath by Emily Barth Isler. So, if you enjoyed one of those, I definitely recommend reading the other.
About the Author:
Dusti Bowling grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where, as her family will tell you, she always had her nose in a book. She released her first middle grade novel in 2017 and hasn't stopped writing since.
Dusti's books have won the Reading the West Award, the Sakura Medal, a Golden Kite Honor, the William Allen White Children's Book Award, and have been nominated for a Cybil and over thirty state awards. Her books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and have been named best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library, Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, A Mighty Girl, Shelf Awareness, and many more.
Dusti currently lives in Eagar, Arizona with her husband, three daughters, and a bunch of farm animals.
About the Narrator:
Laura Knight Keating, an Audie Award-winning narrator, is an actress who has appeared on stage, in films, and on television shows, including Boardwalk Empire, Hope and Faith, and Lipstick Jungle.
