Dust by Arthur Slade After several children go missing, including his younger brother Matthew, Robert Steelgate begins to suspect their disappearance may have something to do with the powerful owner of the local movie theater and his plans to bring rain to their small town.

Discussion

The Steelgate family lives during the Great Depression. How did this affect their lives? Do you have any family members who were alive during the Great Depression? What stories do they have?

Robert has a special relationship with his Uncle Alden. Why do you think his mother feels that Alden is a bad influence on Robert? Do you agree or disagree with Robert's mother? Is there anyone is your family you have a special relationship with?

When the characters in Dust looked into Abram Harsich's magic mirror, they saw what they most desired. If you looked into the mirror what do you think you would see?

What do you think this story would look like from Matthew's point of view? How do you think his time as a butterfly affected him?

Robert has to miss the first two weeks of school to help with the harvest. Do you think his parents were right to keep him out of school to do chores or do you think getting an education is more important?

Reading is so very important to Robert, he sneaks books in his house. Is it important to you? What books have been important to you?

Activity

Monopoly Tournament
From Monopoly.com

It was 1934, the height of the Depression, when Charles B. Darrow of Germantown, Pennsylvania, showed what he called the MONOPOLY game to the executives at Parker Brothers. They rejected the game due to "52 design errors." Mr. Darrow wasn't daunted. Like many other Americans, he was unemployed at the time and the game's exciting promise of fame and fortune inspired him to produce it on his own.

With help from a friend who was a printer, Mr. Darrow sold 5,000 handmade sets of the game to a Philadelphia department store. But as demand grew, he couldn't keep up with all the orders and came back to talk to Parker Brothers again. The rest, as they say, is history. In its first year, 1935, the MONOPOLY game was the best- selling game in America. Over its 65-year history, an estimated 500 million people have played.

Recipe

Fluttering Butterflies
From Cooks.com

Ingredients:

butter
1/4 c. finely chopped nuts
48 sm. twisted pretzels
1/2 (14 oz.) pkg. vanilla caramels
1 tbsp. milk
1 tbsp. butter
48 inches red or black shoestring licorice, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 (6 oz.) pkg. (1/2 c.) semi-sweet chocolate pieces

Grease a large baking sheet with butter. For the base of each butterfly, sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of the finely chopped nuts in a small circle on the greased baking sheet. Space nut circles 2 inches apart. Make each butterfly's wings by arranging 2 pretzels together on top a nut circle. Set aside.

Combine caramels, milk and the 1 tablespoon butter in a 4-cup liquid measuring utensil. Microwave, uncovered, on 100% power (high) for 1 1/2 minutes. Use a rubber scraper to stir until smooth. If caramels aren't soft enough to stir smooth, microwave for 30 to 60 seconds more. Spoon 1 teaspoon caramel mixture onto each set of 2 pretzels. (Push caramel off teaspoon with a small spoon.)

For antennae, press 2 pieces of licorice into each butter-fly. Chill, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until firm. Put chocolate pieces into a 2-cup liquid measuring cup. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon chocolate onto each butterfly. Chill about 15 minutes or until chocolate is firm. Store in a single layer in a tightly covered container. Makes 24 butterflies.