Bud, Not Buddy
This item connects Bud to his mother and motivates his journey.
His suitcase
This natural disaster creates the main hardship in the novel.
The Dust Bowl
Hardship often forces characters to develop this quality.
Resilience
At the start, how does Bud feel about adults?
He does not trust them?
What big idea connects both novels
Hardship can change people
This experience forces Bud to rely on himself early in the novel
Running away from the Amos household
Which moment signals Billie Jo’s emotional turning point?
When she begins reconnecting with her father
Both characters face this emotional struggle after loss
Loneliness
How does Bud’s behavior toward others change by the end of the novel?
He becomes more open to help and relationships
What message do the authors give about hard times?
Hardship leads to growth
Bud’s “Rules and Things” help him do this when facing danger.
Survive difficult situations
How does Billie Jo’s failed escape attempt deepen her transformation
It helps her realize healing comes from facing pain, not fleeing it
How does hardship affect Bud at the beginning of the novel
It makes him cautious and independent
Early in Out of the Dust, how does Billie Jo deal with her emotions?
She shuts down and keeps her feelings inside
Why do the authors show characters struggling for a long time?
To show that growth takes time
This character’s band helps Bud begin to feel a sense of belonging
Herman E. Calloway
Which internal conflict prevents Billie Jo from healing for most of the novel
What is guilt over her mother’s death
How does hardship affect Billie Jo emotionally
It makes her feel lonely and guilty
What new understanding helps Billie Jo begin healing near the end of the novel?
That blaming herself does not help her move forward
Through Bud and Billie Jo, the authors emphasize the importance of this
Hope
By the end of the novel, Bud is transformed because he finally gains this
A sense of family and identity
How does Billie Jo’s injury contribute to her sense of identity loss
It disconnects her from piano playing and self-expression
Why does hardship force both characters to grow up quickly
They must take on adult responsibilities
How do both Bud and Billie Jo change in how they view the future?
They go from being hopeless to having hope
How does hardship lead to transformation in both novels?
Bud finds a home and a support system, he finally belongs
Billie Jo reconciles her relationship with her dad and is able to move forward