This book was iffy until around 60% and then it raced to an amazing climax and a page turning conclusion. It was a bit of a slow burn but I ended up REALLY liking it. This is a great novel for fans of historical fiction, the Great Migration and genealogy fans. There’s a little bit of a romance that seems… out of place? But it’s a very thin thread in the thick fabric of the novel.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book was amazing. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and this did not disappoint. I appreciated the topic (the dust bowl) as there are not many non fiction books that cover it- and definitely not the black side.

Set up with a duel time line (also a favorite of mine) we follow the journey as sisters Faith and Hope migrate towards California after getting separated from their parents and sibling during a black storm. We also follow the story of Zoe who is trying to learn about her past and ancestors.

Many times with a duel timeline I tend to enjoy one over the other and in this novel I truly enjoyed both storylines and found myself rooting for ALL of the girls.

I laughed, I cried, I was even shocked with some twists and turns.
Highly recommend this incredible book!!

When I began this book, I wasn’t sure this read was for me, but am glad I persevered and finished this, it turned into a page turner!
This story begins in 1930’s with a family desperate from the depression and the dust bowl, and we are with two members of the Wilson family as they try to survive the black cloud.
Then we are back to the present time with Zoe, rattled by the death of her son, and the loss of a marriage.
How do these two stories mesh together? Well, you are in for a treat, hard times, and thrown in a bit of romance, along with family. There are startling happenings in this book, most I never saw coming.
I loved the update at the end, something I wish all books had!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bookoutour, and was not required to give a positive review.

Although the fact that people of colour have faced discrimination over the centuries is well-known, through the story of Faith and her sister the author really brings to life their actual day to day experience in 1930s America: segregation, racial prejudice and discrimination enshrined in law. The book also introduced me to the ecological disaster of soil erosion, drought and intense dust storms that ‘turned daytime skies into midnight’ leaving families like the Wilsons as ‘farmers without produce or product’, forced to migrate West in search of a better life.

Narrated partly from the point of view of Faith starting in 1935 and Zoe in the present day, I particularly loved the voice the author created for Faith and the power of her story. Her sense of responsibility for her young sister, Hope, and the sacrifices she was prepared to make for her were truly heartbreaking even when she was at her wits end, alone in a strange city. ‘I was all Hope had and couldn’t afford to go crazy. I needed all my good sense to keep us safe, and to face whatever came next on this tempestuous journey.’ I admired Faith’s strength of spirit in steadfastly clinging to the belief that she will be reunited with her parents and brother. Faith’s later blossoming as she is able to fulfil her natural talent, made possible through an act of charity, is wonderful to witness.

Although I found myself less engaged with Zoe’s story, I enjoyed the way parallels between the two women’s lives begin to emerge. One of these is their mixed experiences of men. In Zoe’s case, there’s a stark contrast between the behaviour of her estranged husband, Vince, and the man she meets who not only exhibits the tenderness and compassion Zoe needs to heal but provides an important clue in her search for her family’s history. And although Faith is cruelly treated by a man who takes advantage of her desperate situation, she also encounters another man whose actions more truthfully reflect Christian teachings.

I loved following the story of Faith and Hope and the book’s heartwarming conclusion that illustrates the importance and healing nature of family bonds.

The Dust Bowl Orphans
by Suzette D. Harrison
Oklahoma, 1935. Fifteen-year-old Faith Wilson takes her little sister Hope’s hand. In worn-down shoes, they walk through the choking heat of the Dust Bowl towards a new life in California. But when a storm blows in, the girls are separated from their parents. How will they survive in a place where just the color of their skin puts them in terrible danger?

This book was one you cry, and cry some more. The beauty of the writing is perfect. A classic the scale of books. I cannot even begin to give justice to this book. But, it will stay with me. This is why I read. I will buy the book wg=hen it comes out. Thank you for allowing me to read the book for my honest review in advance.

The Dust Bowl Orphans features the often overlooked struggles of Black families during the Great Depression and the migration West.

History comes alive through Faith and Hope as they live through the Dustbowl storms, the journey to California, the struggle to build good lives for themselves, and the quest to find their family.

In modern times, Zoe, a descendent of Faith and Hope, is on a mission to discover more about her family's past. She uses her creative skills to educate others about Black families' lives during the Dustbowl while uncovering some surprising truths about her own family tree.

I was given a free copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

A good book it was a new era and perspective and loved it. I liked the author is a few good ones that not only handle the 2 periods well but also keep a link going between them many do handle but only a few can ensure that the reader not only stays with the story and is not distracted by the shifts

As it seems, so far I am the odd one out who isn’t absolutely in love with this book. And that’s good, because there were so many great things about it! What drew me to this book in the first place was the title. I read Kristin Hannah‘s The Four Winds last summer and absolutely adored it, so I was really excited to read another work of fiction about the same topic more or less!

The first 40% or so of the book really dragged for me. I was actually close to DNFing because the two time lines alternated so randomly and weren’t knit together well in my opinion. Also, Zoe‘s chapters were so much tell and almost no show and that just didn’t work for me at all.

The book really did pick up though and I liked how the two time lines were woven together more and more tightly. There were so many aspects of Faith‘s character that were mirrored in Zoe which was beautifully done in my opinion. I cried at several points throughout the last chapters.

However, I feel like despite being 350 pages long, the book didn’t manage to do justice to either main character. Whenever the POV switched, I felt a bit cheated out of forming a deeper connection with either Faith or Zoe. There were just so many jumps and gaps that I would have liked to be explored / filled. I think that already something so simple as having events/pictures/situations trigger the switch in POV would have made the whole story much more harmonious.

What I really enjoyed a lot, however, were the healthy and loving relationships between many of the characters. Obviously Faith‘s story was very emotional, but so was seeing Zoe get to terms with her past and growing so much within those couple of weeks. And I do love a (re-)found family! The book just touched upon so so many different topics and that was really beautifully done.

Anyway, that does not manage to make up for how hard I had to fight through the majority of the first half for the book, so my overall rating is

3/5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book. i went through every emotion possible. this book is amazing and i love the characters. thank you for allowing me to read this book.

thanks netgalley and publisher for allowing me tpo read this great book.

my thoughts and opinions are my own without any infuences

This was the first book I've read that took me on a complete journey from start to finish. From the author's uncanny ability to guide you on a historical trek in the life of the main characters, too offering you an emotional completion that fulfilled all of the desires you could have for the family. This book is a must read for anyone who loves history and the mystery of family ties. Once you start you won't be able to put it down!

The book cover drew me in and the reviews made me determine that I really needed to read this book. The book starts out interesting, while it only continues to build in storyline, in character development, and in heart as it continues. You will not be disappointed in choosing this book. Author brilliantly weaved together two storylines connecting them in such a beautiful conclusion.

Thank you net galley & publisher for my e arc of "The Dust Bowl Orphans", by Suzette D. Harrison
About: "Fifteen-year-old Faith Wilson takes her little sister Hope’s hand. In worn-down shoes, they walk through the choking heat of the Dust Bowl towards a new life in California. But when a storm blows in, the girls are separated from their parents. A story of family torn apart, fighting to be reunited. Fans of Where the Crawdads Sing & The Four Winds will love this dust bowl story of survival from a Black perspective. California, present day. Zoe Edwards feels completely alone in the world. Throwing herself into work, she sees an image of a teenage girl who looks exactly like her,. Could this girl be a long-lost relation, someone to finally explain the holes in Zoe’s family history..."
I highly recommend this dust bowl story. American Historical Fiction is one of my favorite genres and underrepresented is American HF, especially Black HF. I just loved this survival story and the part of finding lost family. I don't like books to flip between 2 stories and timelines, so I primarily read every detail of faith/hope's story and skimmed the future story of Zoe. I prefer if the author does a duo and does the first story & then the last because of my attention being divided I always like one and skim the other. I can say the one I focused on was excellent and the other at least good. I will defiantly being reading more Suzette D. Harrison novels and loved her story. Thank you Suzette D. Harrison for this emotional historical adventure via Faith, my favorite character in this novel.
4.5*+

Oklahoma - 1935. The farm lands have turned to dust and the people who live in Oklahoma are plagued with dust storms. The land no longer produces crops and the farmers and their families are hungry. They hear that there are jobs in California and many residents pack up their households and head toward the promised jobs.

The Wilson family can no longer endure their life and head to California. There are the parents, one son and two daughters. When a huge storm blows in, the two girls - 15 year old Faith and her five year old sister Hope get separated from their family. They hide in the cellar of an abandoned house and when they finally get out (with the help of two boys), they have no idea where their parents are. So they decide to head to go to LA and find their parents. They ride in the wagon of a white family and are treated poorly because they are black. When they get to LA, they are constantly looked down on because of their race. Will they ever find their family again?

Zoe's story is present day. She is a museum and art curator and is back in California leaving behind her ex-husband in Boston, to work on an exhibit about black people who emigrated from Oklahoma during the dust bowl years. As she is reviewing pictures, she finds a picture of a girl who looks exactly like her. There have always been some bare branches on Zoe's family tree because her mother was adopted and knew nothing about her birth family. Zoe decides to find out more about the girl in this picture hoping to find a long lost relatives. The story of Faith and Hope slowly unravels through Zoe's hard work...but will it reveal the answers to the questions that Zoe has about her family?

Both of the stories in this dual time line novel are exciting and emotional. Prejudice towards black people plays a large role in both narratives. The author has done considerable research into the exodus from Oklahoma to California during these years. The characters are well written and the setting is well described - especially during the dust bowl part of the story. This book is an emotional look at two women who have a connection with each other that has been forgotten over the years. It's the story of family and love, faith and hope but most of all it's the story of two strong women who continue to try their best to help their families.

I got pulled into this story on page one and my concern for the characters lasted until the end. I will advise you to have some tissue close at hand. I cried several times during the story but they were tears of happiness. for these families.

Thanks for Bookouture for a coy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

I don’t know a lot about the dust bowl or anything much during this time in history so I am always eager to crack open a book and be swept up into a story that transports me and teaches me. The Dust Bowl Orphans by Suzette D. Harrison puts the reader in Oklahoma in 1935 and breaks your heart with the story of Faith and her sister Hope, making their way through the dust storm. We are also transported to present-day California and into the life of Zoe Edwards, a woman who is dealing with the loss of a child and a divorce.

The dust cloud rolls in from nowhere, stinging our eyes and muddling our senses. I reach for my baby sister and pull her small body close to me. When the sky clears, we are alone on an empty road with no clue which way to go…

Oklahoma, 1935. Fifteen-year-old Faith Wilson takes her little sister Hope’s hand. In worn-down shoes, they walk through the choking heat of the Dust Bowl towards a new life in California. But when a storm blows in, the girls are separated from their parents. How will they survive in a place where just the color of their skin puts them in terrible danger?

Starving and forced to sleep on the streets, Faith thinks a room in a small boarding house will keep her sister safe. But the glare in the landlady’s eye as Faith leaves in search of their parents has her wondering if she’s made a dangerous mistake. Who is this woman, and what does she want with sweet little Hope? Trapped, will the sisters ever find their way back to their family?

California, present day. Reeling from her divorce and grieving the child she lost, Zoe Edwards feels completely alone in the world. Throwing herself into work cataloguing old photos for an exhibition, she sees an image of a teenage girl who looks exactly like her, and a shiver grips her. Could this girl be a long-lost relation, someone to finally explain the holes in Zoe’s family history? Diving into the secrets in her past, Zoe unravels this young girl’s heartbreaking story of bravery and sacrifice. But will anything prepare her for the truth about who she is…?

I really enjoyed this book and especially felt emotional with the story of Faith! If you are looking for a gripping historical fiction book, grab this one on 2/7

Black Blizzard

Amazing story of a families love and how they tried to find each other after being separated on their way from the Oklahoma Dust Bowl to California in 1935.

Hope and Faith are walking behind following their parents wagon when a black blizzard dust storm overtakes them. Racing to an abandoned house they hide in the cellar until the storm is over. Now they have to find a way to get to California and find their parents.

The trials along the way for these two young girls of color are very challenging. From the white pastor that gives them a ride to California to the horrible events with his son Henry and finally sleeping on the streets with her baby sister Faith Joy Wilson is a courageous girl protecting her baby sister at all costs while all the time searching for her brother and her parents.

She thinks she has found a solution when she lands a job as a maid in a manor house, but the lady that is her boss appears to dislike her immensely while loving her sister and pampering her. She soon finds that what she thought was a sanctuary is anything but.

There is a dual storyline, which was well written and part of the story, but not so interesting to me. It was about Zoe, an art curator that is looking for her past relatives. She sees a picture of Faith and she is the splitting image of her and works at finding a connection.

Zoe is putting together an exhibit of the people of color that traveled west during the great depression and the dust bowl exodus from the south to California. A photographer Shaun she meets helps her with her research and helps heal her heart from her broken marriage and loss of her son.

Zoe worked really hard to put together her research, not only to try and find past family, but also to bring light on the people of color during the depression and how they also suffered and had to start their lives anew.

I really enjoyed reading this story and I would recommend it.

Thanks to Suzette D. Harrison for writing a wonderful book, to Bookouture for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.

A really interesting story told in 2 timelines, primarily focused on the Black experience of moving out west during the Dust Bowl of the 1930's. It's an undertold perspective, and was really interesting to learn about this through the Wilson family and their friends. In the present timeline, Zoe, an art curator, finds a photograph of a girl who looks just like her, and investigates her own family's connection to this history. This was a very engaging book and I learned a lot from it. My only slight complaint was there were just a couple too many coincidences to be believable. But I really liked the characters of Faith and Zoe, and how they tie together across time. The ending was very satisfying.

23 hours. I devoured this book in 23 hours. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt so consumed by a book. This was my first experience with this author and she did not disappoint. The subject of black people in the Dust Bowl is something I’ve never read about (fact or fiction) but it is something I’ve wondered about.

Very well written and the modern storyline almost read like a therapy session! More than once I found myself wanting to highlight passages. This book destroyed me in the very best way. I’m on my way to find my next all-consuming book by Suzette.

I will absolutely be recommending this book to EVERYONE!

A lovely = if tough at times- dual time line story of three women- Zoe, Faith and Hope. Zoe, in the present, finds a photo of a someone who looks just like her, leading her to probe her understanding of her family history. The more compelling story is that of Faith and Hope sisters separated from their parents while moving from Oklahoma to California, They face so many things. How these three link up- no spoilers from me but you will root for everyone. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Incredibly heartbreaking. I devoured this book and felt every emotion these characters felt. The ending was spectacular and while I was crying it was tears of joy. Great read.

WOW! Deserves 10 stars.
Suzette Harrison touched my soul with DUST BOWL ORPHANS.
This story was a gambit of emotions, I laughed, cried, cussed as I was trapped and walked the streets with Faye Faye and Baby Girl.
Flipping the pages I was with Zoe as she searched every nook, crook, and cranny to find the connection between the past and present.
Thank you to Net galley for the ARC of DUST BOWL ORPHANS this is an honest and true review.

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