1. JAGUAR JUMPSTART
Read the following two sections in the back of the OUT OF THE DUST book:
1. Behind the Scenes: Writing Out of the Dust
2. Q & A with Karen Hesse .
Write each question below. Answer each question with one complete sentence.
In what year did Karen Hesse take a car trip to Colorado?
In paragraph #3 of Behind the Scenes, what time period fascinated Karen?
What newspaper did Karen find from Oklahoma in the 1930’s?
What would Karen be if she were not a writer? (see paragraph 6 in Behind the Scenes.)
What did Karen say about confusing kerosene and water?
Does Karen plan to write a sequel to Out of the Dust?
Where did Karen place the rag doll that she bought at a consignment store?
How did the people treat Karen when she visited Oklahoma after writing the book?
What animal would Karen like to become?
When did Karen begin publishing poetry?

2. OUT OF THE DUST
Meet The Author!
Karen Hesse

3. Karen Hesse Born August 29, 1952, in Baltimore, MD .
Growing up, she enjoyed writing poetry and playing with kids in her neighborhood. .
When she wanted to be alone, she would climb an apple tree and read a book. .
She was shy as a child. .
Later, a stepsister entered her life. The stepsister was a very good dancer, and Karen became jealous.

4. Karen Hesse
When Karen was in high school, she decided to try acting. .
Her drama teacher was impressed, and helped her get into the theater program at Towson State College in Maryland. .
In 1971, Karen dropped out of college to get married. .
She later finished her education at the University of Maryland.

5. Karen Hesse
When Karen was in high school, she decided to try acting. .
Her drama teacher was impressed, and helped her get into the theater program at Towson State College in Maryland. .
In 1971, Karen dropped out of college to get married. .
She later finished her education at the University of Maryland.

6. Karen Hesse
While Karen was a student at the University of Maryland, she worked at a pizza bagel shop, as a nanny, and in the school library. The library was her favorite. .
After college, Karen worked as a proofreader, as an advertising secretary at a magazine, and as a typesetter. .
During Karen’s job as a typesetter, she began to think about writing children’s books.

7. Karen Hesse In 1976, Karen and her husband Randy moved to Vermont. .
They raised two daughters named Kate and Rachel. .
In 1982, Karen began writing books for children. .
For several years, she had trouble finding a publisher. .
Karen’s first book was finally published in It was called Wish on a Unicorn.

8. Karen Hesse
Since then, Karen has written over a dozen books, including…
Letters from Rifka
Phoenix Rising
The Music of Dolphins
Out of the Dust
Just Juice
Stowaway
Witness
Aleutian Sparrow

9. Karen Hesse Let’s hear from Karen as she discusses the background of
OUT OF THE DUST

10. Karen Hesse Lesson Closure / Exit Ticket
On a sheet of notebook paper, list three important facts that you learned about Karen Hesse, author of Out of the Dust.
Turn this in (using the appropriate tray) prior to leaving the class.