DUST, by Alison Stine, Wednesday Books, Dec. 3, 2024, Hardcover, $20 (young adult)
A partially deaf teen discovers a world beyond what her parents’ strict rules in Dust, a young adult novel by Alison Stine.
After her father has a premonition, Thea and her family move to the Bloodless Valley of southern Colorado, hoping to make a fresh start. But the rivers are dry, the crops are dying, and the black blizzards of Colorado have returned. Much like the barren land, Thea feels her life has stopped growing. She is barely homeschooled, forbidden from going to the library, and has no way to contact her old friends―all due to her parents’ fear of the outside world’s dangerous influence.
But to make ends meet, Thea is allowed to work at the café in town. There, she meets Ray, who is deaf. Thea, who was born hard of hearing, has always been pushed by her parents to pass as someone who can hear. Now, with Ray secretly teaching Thea how to sign, she begins to learn what she’s been missing―not just a new language but a whole community and maybe even a chance at love. —Synopsis provided by Wednesday Books
Dust is a beautiful novel that sits with you long after you finish reading it. It’s not a “big bang” type of book, but it’s engrossing nonetheless.
Author Alison Stine’s prose envelops you, transporting you to an imagined modern-day dustbowl. It calls to the past while looking to the future.
The story unfolds through Thea’s voice. Stine’s choice of first-person narrative gives readers an inside view into Thea’s limited world. You discover her dreams and fears and hopes for the future.
Dust is a beautiful read that resonates. I read a digital review copy but plan to purchase a physical one for my home library.
Copyright © 2024 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
