Crossword Puzzle Pack for Use with Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse | Grades 6-9

These Out of the Dust crossword puzzles check vocabulary and story details from Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, written for Grades 6-9. It is a no-prep 40-page printable PDF with answer keys, sold on Teachers Pay Teachers.

At a glance

• Book: Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
• Grades: 6th–9th
• Resource type: Crossword puzzles
• Format: 40-page printable PDF
• Answer key: Included
• Teaching duration: 1 Week
• Standards: L.6.4, L.6.6, L.7.4, L.7.6, L.8.4, L.8.6, L.9-10.4, L.9-10.6 and more
• Price: $2.50

Challenge your students to dig deeper into Out of the Dust with this no-prep crossword puzzle pack — every clue asks them to recall, infer, and truly engage with Karen Hesse’s Newbery Medal–winning verse novel. Instead of just recognizing words, students must actively retrieve key details from Billie Jo’s journey through the Dust Bowl, making comprehension checks feel like a satisfying challenge.

Save hours of prep time while building critical thinking. These crosswords are designed to meet your students where they are, with built-in differentiation and a format that makes rigorous close reading genuinely enjoyable.

What’s Included:

• 10 complete crossword puzzles: 8 section-specific puzzles (Winter 1934 through Autumn 1935) plus 2 whole-novel review crosswords
• 15 carefully differentiated clues per section puzzle — 5 accessible recall clues, 7 medium-inference clues, and 3 challenging analytical clues to support all learners
• 20 cumulative review clues in each whole-book crossword for end-of-unit assessment or test prep
• Rich clue types: definition-based, fill-in-the-blank, and contextual clues covering character identification, plot events, setting details, vocabulary-in-context, and thematic inference
• Full answer keys for every puzzle — perfect for self-checking, quick formative assessment, or stress-free grading
• Well-illustrated design with clean, Dust Bowl–era artwork that honors the novel’s historical setting
• Available in both full-color and ink-saving black & white versions (approx. 40 pages total)
• Truly no-prep format — just print and go, with clear layouts and no cutting required

Use these crosswords for chapter review, comprehension checks, literature circles, test prep, bell ringers, learning stations, sub plans, or independent study. They’re flexible enough to work as a paired activity after reading each seasonal section, or as a final review before a summative assessment.

By solving each puzzle, students naturally practice close reading and textual evidence skills while reinforcing Tier 2 academic words (drought, resilience) and Tier 3 domain-specific terms (panhandle, kerosene, migrants). The puzzles directly support RL.6.1, RL.7.1, RL.8.1, RL.9.1 (textual evidence), RL.6.4, RL.7.4, RL.8.4, RL.9.4 (word meaning in context), and L.6.4, L.6.6, L.7.4, L.7.6, L.8.4, L.8.6, L.9.4, L.9.6 (vocabulary acquisition) — all while keeping students motivated and on task.

Get this resource on Teachers Pay Teachers today and turn vocabulary and comprehension review into the activity your students actually ask for.

Disclaimer:

This product is an independent supplemental resource designed for use with Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the author or publisher. All references to characters, settings, and events are used for educational purposes only to support reading comprehension and classroom instruction. This resource does not include the original text. Students must have their own copy of the book to complete the activities. All content in this resource is original and created by the seller.

Fonts Used:
Roboto by Christian Robertson | Open Sans by Steve Matteson | Playfair Display by Claus Eggers Sørensen | Lexend by Dr. Bonnie Shaver-Troup & Thomas Jockin | Poppins by Jonny Pinhorn | Montserrat by Julieta Ulanovsky
(All fonts are available via Google Fonts and licensed for commercial use under the SIL Open Font License.)

More Out of the Dust resources

All Out of the Dust activities & puzzles

Frequently asked questions

What grade level is this for?

It is written for Grades 6-9 (TpT lists 6th-9th).

How long is it?

It is a 40-page printable PDF. Suggested teaching time: 1 Week.

Are answer keys included?

Yes. Answer keys are included.

Do students need their own copy of Out of the Dust?

Yes. This is an independent supplemental resource and does not include the text of Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, so students need their own copy.

How do I get this resource?

It is sold on Teachers Pay Teachers ($2.50) as a PDF download. Use the Buy on TpT button on this page.