WOW! This book was fantastic! I loved the story and the characters. It was one of those books that I think of as a great story about something so hard. Definitely one I will recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my E-ARC of Dust!

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🌵 live in the desert
🦹🏾‍♀️ are obsessed with X-Men
🤐 have ever kept a secret
👊🏻 were a victim of bullying

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

After Avalyn nearly died from an asthma attack, her parents moved her to the clear, dry air of Clear Canyon City, Arizona. And for the last ten years, she’s been able to breathe. That is, until Adam showed up.

Quiet and unkempt, Adam is an instant target for the bullies who have plagued Avalyn and her friends. As Avalyn gets to know him, she begins to suspect that the sudden, strange increase in dust storms around town are somehow connected to his emotions. She thinks his problems may be even worse at home, especially when massive black walls of dust start rolling in after the school day. Will she find a way to stand up for her new friend? Her life may just depend on it.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

Wow, this story was absolutely incredible in so many ways. I loved the fact mixed with fiction found throughout this story as well as the many ways kids these days could relate to the characters. Avalyn has asthma, her best friends are constantly being bullied, and a new kid is hiding a dark secret. Even though I’m 20 years older than these kids, I felt like I could really understand the pain they were going through, especially since I was a victim of bullying around that age as well. As a mom though, all I wanted was for Avalyn to talk to her parents about everything going on at school. Overall, this story was well written and I absolutely appreciated the fact that the author included a note for children to reach out for help if they are being abused by someone they should trust.

When you pick up a Dusti Bowling book, you know that you’re taking a risk. Tears. Heart break. Serious issues. Dust has two extremely important issues: bullying and (spoiler alert) abuse. How do you stop bullying? When you are the victim? When you are a witness? How do you find your voice? This is an important must read middle grade book. I’d love to see middle schoolers, high school students, and adults reading this in a book club.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Once again, Dusti Bowling manages to make me angry, laugh, and cry. This was such a big-hearted book and an excellent representation of the asthma and allergy disability. I absolutely loved Adalyn, and despite sometimes feeling left out by her friends, I loved her friend group. I also LOVED that Adalyn is a huge speller, and that her ability to spell was both a coping mechanism for her illness and the bullying that was occurring, as well as the way she saw the world. The magical realism part of the story was new for me with this author, but I thought she did an amazing job with it. This is a book I would recommend to middle school students with content warnings for abuse of a minor by an adult (not explicit, but implied physical and sexual abuse) and rampant bullying in school despite the no-tolerance bullying policy. But I would also recommend this to high school students, as the topics covered in this book are just as relevant.

Interestingly, the beginning of each chapter there is a spelling/vocabulary word and there is usually some relevance to the word within the chapter. The author also sprinkles other words throughout, often as she tries to cope with what is happening at the time or as her dad throws out vocabulary words for her to spell. I currently have a number of students preparing for standardized testing (ugh) and their parents keep asking me what I would recommend to improve their vocabulary. This is a perfect book that introduces the words in context, so whether or not the author intended this to be the case, the book would be a perfect way for kids to learn new vocabulary.

Overall, I completely to be impressed by this author's ability to delve into sensitive and difficult topics in a way that is appropriate and accessible for middle school children. I was completely invested in Adalyn's situation, and while I wished she and some of the other kids would have spoken up to a trusted adult sooner, I also understood why they didn't. Sadly, such situations are much more common than we want to believe.

I continue to recommend this author to my students (and their parents), and this one is no exception.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This book will be released on August 1.

Dusti Bowling has to be one of the best middle grade writers of our time. Dust has incredible characters, and a storyline that starts as something familiar but hits the reader with a surprising and devastating twist. Bowling does this all in a way that will resonate with middle grade readers without going into unnecessary details. Dust is a must read for anyone with 10-14 year olds in their life. This book about finding & using your breath is so important. Thank you NetGalley, for the advance copy.

This book tackles important issues including dealing with asthma, bullying, and abuse. Dusti Bowling does a phenomenal job of creating main characters with significant needs while weaving together a storyline that keeps readers turning pages. A must read.

Dust by Dusti Bowling
If there is anything this generation of children will be familiar with, it is the idea that the weather, and the very air around them is changing and making life much more difficult.
The main character of this book, a girl named Avalyn, lives in the dry air of Arizona after she moved there with her parents in the hopes that it would keep her asthma at bay. And it has been working until recently, when a series of dust storms makes it dangerous for her to even go outside.
At school, she strikes an uneasy friendship with a boy named Adam, a boy that shares many of her interests, but has volatile emotions and attracts the attention of the school bullies.
A little magical realism is thrown into the tale as Avalyn starts to realize that Adam’s moods and the dust storms seem to be related.
It’s a solid middle grade read that provides a realistic look at dealing with a chronic disease like asthma and also with the kinds of bullies that seem to be omnipresent. It also has references to spelling bees, which this former competitor found entertaining, especially when Avalyn is able to use her special powers of spelling to put an end to the bullying.
And here is a bit of a spoiler, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know what is causing the dust storms. Without giving too much away, this novel turns out to be a story about the effects of child abuse and what children should do when they suspect it. At the back of the book, author Dusti Bowling includes notes which provide additional information about dealing with suspected abuse.

Avalyn has struggled with asthma her whole life. It is so bad that her family relocated to Arizona for the dry climate. But things change the day Adam moves into down. That is when the Dust begins.
Avalyn has a core group of friends, but they are relentlessly bullied and when mysterious Adam moves into town he is another target. Avalyn is convinced that there is more to Adam's story and she makes all the effort to befriend him, but he is so guarded that she is left feeling confused and frustrated. One thing she is sure of is that Adam is causing the dust storms and she is determined to unlock the mystery of Adam and his secrets.
I enjoyed this book, especially Avalyn's character. She is a good friend, but still makes mistakes when it comes to defending her friends from bullying. She continues to pursue Adam even when he has pushed her away. She knew he needed a friend. This book deals with a lot of issues: asthma, sexual abuse, bullying, friendship. It also has an element of fantasy with Adam being able to control the dust storms. I won't be purchasing for my elementary library and feel like it is a better fit for middle school due to the maturity of the content and the age of the characters in the story.

At first as I was reading Dust by Dusti Bowling, I was only mildly engaged. It's characters were interesting, but the plot just didn't grab me until about halfway through the book when things began to take a very important turn. This is a very powerful and important read. A must purchase for any library!

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

I received an ARC from Netgalley. This is my first time reading a novel by Dusti Bowling, and it did not disappoint. The bullying described made me so angry and sad, my insides begging someone to speak out. The theme of "words matter" and "one voice can start change" were powerful throughout this read. Highly suggest for 12+ readers.

I could give you the blurb on the back of the book but that is just the bare bones of the wonderful new book by Dusti Bowling. The first few chapters didn't really pull me into the story - Avelyn, a girl with asthma moves to a new climate to help her breathe and feel healthy - she deals with school bullies who make fun of her illness and call her Wheezer. Thank goodness she has two marvelous friends who brighten her days and care deeply about her. Great intro but then things get very real.
In the beginning of the book, as the characters were introduced and the new kid, Adam arrives on the scene it felt very much like a story dealing with bullying and unkind behavior. I was all set for a good old get revenge on the cruel kids tale but it unfolded into a very deep and heartfelt look at friendship, pain, abuse, loneliness and silence. Bowling creates a bit of "magic" as she uses the dust and dry air of Arizona to communicate the chaos around Avelyn and Adam. There is just so much to this book and it need to be out there for young people to understand that they have a voice and it is up to each person to S-P-E-A-K the truth and advocate for themselves and for those around them - even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular.
Read this book and then pass it along! Every school counselor needs to read this one.
So thankful to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for a free ARC of this wonderful book.

This is an amazing book! it’s one I will definitely be adding to my classroom library. There is a heavy realistic fiction aspect with a bit of fantasy thrown in. So good! Thank you to NetGalley for the preview!

Wow, what a powerful story with so many layers! Avalyn has severe asthma, two awesome friends, and a determination to win the spelling bee this year. In the ten years she has lived in Clear Canyon City, Arizona, she has avoided life-threatening asthma attacks. Avoiding the bullies that harass Avalyn and her friends is much harder. When Adam moves to town, he draws the attention of the bullies. At the same time, their town seems to be plagued with dust storms that get worse whenever Adam is upset. Intrigued by the empathic connection she feels with Adam, Avalyn reaches out to Adam, finding common ground and trying to be his friend, despite the growing danger to her own health. As she learns more about the storms that surround Adam, she must learn how to use her own voice to help her friends.
This book takes on some heavy topics, but Bowling writes about them sensitively, with so much compassion and empathy. Perfect for fans of Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to Little, Brown Books and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Avalyn has severe asthma and lives with her mom and dad in Clear Canyon City, Arizona, where they moved to when Avalyn had a near fatal asthma attack when they were living in Oklahoma. She goes to middle school and has 2 best friends, Nan and Dillon. Because of her asthma, she is limited in what activities she can do. Avalyn practices for the upcoming spelling bee and each chapter starts off with a spelling bee word. Nan, Dillon, and Avalyn are also relentlessly bullied by the Meanie Butt Band and they do their best not to be noticed. Then one day, a new student, Adam, comes to school and the dust storms begin. Adam, with his unkempt hair, has now become the bullies’ new target. Avalyn tries to befriend Adam and they share a fondness for X-Men comics. When her hand brushes against his arm, she can feel his disturbing emotions. The bullying intensifies and the dust storms worsen forcing Avalyn to stay inside. Avalyn eventually learns what Adam is enduring at home and reluctantly tells a trusted adult after nearly dying again from the dust.
This is a bit different from Bowling’s other books as this has elements of magical realism but I did not find that it took away from the storytelling. There are some heavy subjects dealt with here and for that reason, I would recommend this book for grade 5 and up.

I started reading this novel knowing only that a girl with asthma meets a boy who seems shrouded in dust. I was blown away by the depth of this story that believably presents hard, sensitive topics in an appropriate way for middle graders. While there is an element of fantasy woven throughout, difficult situations are realistically presented with characters who draw you in and who stay with you long afterward. We see 12-year-old Avalyn gradually becoming empowered by the situations she faces. I could not put this book down and read it straight through. Then I went and read it again. This is a powerful story that should be required reading for grades 5-8. There is a section entitled “Author’s Notes” which provides additional information and a personal message to her young readers. Highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read the ARC for this book. The story has an interesting premise and highlights the difficulties that people with certain conditions experience everyday. It featured challenges that many students face and provided a possible solution.

The main character Avalon suffers from chronic asthma. Her parents relocated her to Arizona because of the better air quality. Avalon loves to spell. Avalon uses spelling as an anxiety reducer. Her spelling is a connection to her father as well as a means by which she can describe her feelings. Every chapter is given a specific word that represents what will happen in some way during that chapter.
Avalon has two special friends - Dillon and Nan. They are often bullied by a group of classmates lead by a male character - Dillon.
One day a new student arrives at the school - Adam. He is quiet and keeps to himself.
Avalon tries to become acquainted with Adam - who resists, however in her efforts to talk with him, she accidentally touches him finds she has the ability to feel his incredible pain and fear. Adam's pain and fear are brought to life through fierce windstorms that cause Avalon's asthma to get worse and her health begins to deteriorate. Avalon's determination to find out more about Adam, leads to her finding out about his horrible home life and secret.
This is a story of bravery, love, caring, and doing the right thing even though it is incredibly difficult.

I love reading Dusti Bowling's book! They are always so engaging to the reader and "Dust" is no exception!
I liked how the main character, Avalyn, had to deal with her asthma, and food allergies constantly. It reminded me of when my daughter was in elementary school and was feeling left out because of her food allergies. Avalyn's friends didn't realize how much they were hurting her by excluding her. They think they are helping by not telling her about it but I think it's actually would feel worse to find out after the fact like how Avalyn did.

I loved the message of not being a bystander to bullying. It's so important for readers to know that they do have a voice to help others. All it takes is one person to start and (hopefully) the rest will follow along too in a positive way, not following in a negative way.

I also liked that there was a lot of inferring that readers can think about. Such as not labeling Dillon as possibly being gay. I inferred that he may be but I didn't need the label "said" out loud. I loved the character as is!

A definite must-have addition to upper elementary and middle school libraries.


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Spoil Alerts

The consequences for what the bullies did should have been more than just detention. It should have been a suspension. Especially to Avalyn (and Dillion). They did physical harm, not just mental and emotional (and humiliation). I'm surprised the author didn't have Avalyn have an asthma attack right then and there even though she was being careful not to let any get into her lungs and eyes. I understand it worked for the rest of the story since she felt she needed to go home and clean up.

For Dillion, they held his arms so he couldn't leave while they put the bra on him. I think that should have been a suspension for the bullies.

I have to ask though. Was this a science fiction story or was it a metaphor for everything that Adam was going through? Did the dust storms coincide with his anger and frustration? Did Avalyn just have really good perception of other people's emotions? I want to infer that this story was a metaphor and not science fiction. I loved the story either way and hope there is a sequel or two along the way.

@DustiBowling #Dust #Reading #KidLit #MGLit #SchoolLibrarians #SchoolLibraries #Books #SummerReading #NetGalley

Avalyn has asthma, which is under control until a new boy named Adam comes to town bringing dust storms with him. Avalyn learns to speak up for herself and others in this middle grade novel.

I could not put this book down. From the opening page, I was reminded of why I love good middle-grade fiction: a story that pulls you in, characters that stay with you, and writing that is beautiful. Bowling's foray into magical realism is perfect. Avalyn and Adam are believable, likable characters, even as they both struggle with incredibly difficult and traumatic experiences. The author's notes at the start and end of the book are necessary and well-handled. This book is sheer perfection.