When the Sky Turned to Dust

A sister and brother fight for their family, their land, and their lives.

On April 14, 1935, a day that would become known as Black Sunday, the largest storm ever recorded sweeps through Kansas. When twelve-year-old Caroline is separated from her nine-year-old brother, Daniel, she braves the treacherous conditions to save both their lives.

During Americas Great Depression, devastating drought and violent winds brought destruction and added hardship to the Midwest. When the Sky Turned to Dust follows the journey of the courageous Dolan family as they face the ultimate test of strength and resilience, and struggle to survive on the unforgiving prairie. As the storms rage on, their crops fail, and tragedy strikes, the Dolan family must come together like never before to overcome their greatest challenge and deepest grief.

If you enjoyed the heart-wrenching tale of survival in Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse and Cimarron Girl by Mike Blanc, you wont want to miss When the Sky Turned to Dust. Includes classroom resources and dictionary of unusual terms. 208 pages.

2026 Will Rogers Medallion, First Place Award, Young Adult Fiction.

2026 Eric Hoffer Book Award, First Place,Middle Reader.

2026 International Rubery Book Award, First Place, Childrens & YA.

National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist, Juvenile Fiction.

Chanticleer International Book Awards Finalist, LARAMIE Division, Americana.

Reader Views Literary Award, Gold, Young Readers.

Book Readers Appreciation Group, Medallion, Middle Grade.

National Indie Excellence Awards, Finalist, Juvenile Fiction.

US Review of Books, Recommended: Matthias is a skilled writer whose tender, coming-of-age narrative touches on themes of family, love, loss, and grief set against the backdrop of one of the most traumatic ecological and economic disasters in US history. It is engaging and refreshing to read, and while aimed at a middle-grade audience, it is still appealing enough for readers of any age.

Book Browse Reviews, 5 Star: A Story of Resilience. This book is exciting, edge-of-your-seat action that will keep readers turning pages right to the end. Can be used as an inspiring teaching tool about American history and the capabilities of young people.

The Wishing Shelf: A compelling insight into American history, the Dust Bowl, and the hardships a family must endure to survive. Accessibly written and packed full of drama… filled with the sort of characters you want to root for, this is a gem of a reader for 9-12 year-olds, or as a class reader.

Reader Views, 5 Stars: …a transcendental story about one familys harrowing experience during the Dust Bowl. When the Sky Turned to Dust is written for a middle-grade audience, but this gripping coming-of-age family saga will touch hearts across generations. Above all, the book hails the virtues of how the love and strength of a family can see us through experiences that, in the moment, we are sure will doom us.

Readers Favorite Book Reviews,When the Sky Turned to Dust by Catherine Matthias is a heart-wrenching yet extraordinary and inspiring middle-grade historical novel. Told through the eyes of a young girl determined to fight for her family, home, and life, this book is
impeccably crafted and well-written, exploring themes of strength, resilience, loss, grief, family, and survival. Its a must-read…