When the Great Depression of the 1930's combined with the Dust Bowl in the area surrounding the Pan Handle of Oklahoma, it left behind a people who were in search of a new, and un-famished land. The nearly five-year drought caused crops to die and created many sandstorms, which resulted in starvation and loss of jobs.
In search of a safe haven, the “Okies," referring to those from the Pan Handle area, sold everything they could live without in order to buy an escape vehicle. They journeyed to San Jouquin Valley, California, stopping for jobs along the way to pay for travel expenses. Once they arrived, they were not accepted by society because they were considered poor, unkept, and unruly. Hence, they created a camp for the “Okies" called Weedpatch Camp.
Leo Hart, the county superintendent of education, saw their need for education and a place in civilization. He created a school within the camp just for the Okie children, and taught them mechanics, agriculture, cooking, sewing, and many other life skills in addition to their main schoolwork. He was able to feed them, teach them, and grow them into something the “non-Okies" wanted. Learn about this true story for yourself in this descriptive and inspiring book, beautifully illustrated with many historic pictures.
Note: there are a few profane words throughout the story, normally linked to what Californians called the Okie people. 81 pgs, pb.