Billie Jo, the 14-year-old narrator, tells the story of her family's exprience in the Oklahoma Dust Bowl (early 1930's).  Through verse, Billie Jo tells about her family's financial struggles, the terrible drought and dust, her musical ambitions, and a family tragedy makes the Billie Jo's situation even more dire.  The book concludes with Billie Jo leaving and then returning to the farm and she, her family, and community, seriously thinking about what they can do to save the land and their futures.