Unspoken

A Dust Novel (The Dust Series, Book 1)

By: Jann Alexander

Narrated by: Becky Brabham

A Farm Devastated. A Dream Destroyed. A Family Scattered. And One Texas Girl Determined to Salvage the Wreckage.

Ruby Lee Becker can't breathe. It's 1935 in the heart of the Dust Bowl, and the Becker family has clung to its Texas Panhandle farm through six years of drought, dying crops, and dust storms. On Black Sunday, the biggest blackest storm of them all threatens ten-year-old Ruby with deadly dust pneumonia and requires a drastic choice —one her mother, Willa Mae, will forever regret.

To survive, Ruby is forced to leave the only place she's ever known. Far from home in Waco, and worried her mother has abandoned her, she's determined to get back.

Even after twelve years, Willa Mae still clings to memories of her daughter. Unable to reunite with Ruby, she's broken by their separation.

Through rollicking adventures and harrowing setbacks, the tenacious Ruby Lee embarks on her perilous quest for home —and faces her one unspoken fear.

Heart-wrenching and inspiring, the tale of Ruby Lee's dogged perseverance and Willa Mae's endless love for her daughter shines a light on women driven apart by disaster who bravely lean on one another, find comfort in remade families, and redefine what home means.

©2025 Black Rose Writing (P)2025 Black Rose Writing

Critic reviews

“Reminds me, in tone, of Texas classics like The Time it Never Rained and Giant. I loved it. Alexander is a great new talent in the genre of Texana.” –W.F. Strong, author, Stories From Texas, and radio commentator for NPR Texas

old times

Great book of the old life. Very well done. Great story line. Definitely has that old time feeling. Overall excellent book to listen to.

Excellent storytelling!

This high quality tale is loaded with vibrant characters and detailed storytelling. The trials and triumphs are also very compelling. Yes, I enjoyed this glimpse into a terrible time in history.

Great listen overall

Wonderful writing style. Very descriptive. You can tell the author has a great knowledge of the time period of the 1930s. The narrator does a nice job of character creation, but she misses some pronunciations of Texas geography (big-time). Looking forward to the other books in the Dust series.

Immersive, engaging, and heartbreaking look at the Dust Bowl through the eyes of feisty Ruby Lee Becker!

Unspoken is an immersive, engaging, and heartbreaking look at the toll the Dust Bowl took on families, especially children. Jann Alexander captivated me with her soulful characters and left me wanting more. I hope a sequel is in the works. I have to know what lies ahead for Ruby Lee Becker.