Review Detail

Sometimes a book comes along that grabs the reader from the first page. Dirt by S L Dwyer is one of those books. From the first heart-breaking scene when Sammy finds his parents’ bodies, Dwyer takes us on a journey of determination and courage that kept me turning pages.

Thirteen-year-old Sammy must become a man overnight. He faces challenges that would cause problems for most adults, and in farming country where even the land is against him. This is the dustbowl of Oklahoma in the 1930s. With him, we celebrate the small triumphs but we still wonder how he can ensure his own and his little sister’s survival when they must fight for every mouthful of food. Sammy’s biggest fear is that neighbours will learn he and Birdie are alone and will report them to the authorities who will separate them. He guards against it but the lies he tells take their toll and he has many battles and dangers from unexpected sources to fight. We are privy to Sammy’s fears and doubts, and Dwyer’s excellent use of Sammy’s and Birdie’s young voices make the characters leap off the page.

Through superb research, we learn of conditions at that time and the way everyone fought to survive in a hostile landscape; how neighbours pulled together to help each other and to offer hope.

This is a heart-warming story of overcoming adversity against all odds. Although presented as a Young Adult story, I believe this book would appeal to all ages. I am recommending it to my friends.