During the 1930s, severe and extended drought struck the Southwest and central plains, Oklahoma in particular. Dust and sandstorms were common and gave rise to the name of an era that still colors stories of that time and place. Of course, it was not one dust storm, but a series of storms that continued for many years throughout the decade. In Dust Storm, Oklahoma Heritage Association Publishing's first historical fiction title, Clara is an eleven-year-old girl who lives on an Oklahoma farm during this period of time. Although crippled from polio, Clara loves to do farm chores. Her dad is overprotective of her. He is afraid she will be hurt around the farm animals. He is also afraid that townspeople might hurt her feelings because of her handicap. So when Clara wants to go to town with her family to shop, her father makes her stay behind to watch after her younger brother Billy. One day, when her parents are in town, a ferocious dust storm strikes the family farm. Clara must work fast to save Billy, the farm animals, and herself from peril. Jane McKellips has lived in Oklahoma all her life. After receiving her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Elementary Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, she taught elementary school for four years. Then she began teaching piano lessons and working as a freelance writer for educational publishers which she continues to do today. Lately she has turned her attention to writing books for children. Created for elementary-age readers, her book Bill Wallace: Author of Adventure and Animal Stories is about the much beloved children's author Bill Wallace from Chickasha, Oklahoma. Her current favorite hobbies are reading, cooking, and playing the piano. Jane is currently working on another historical fiction book set in Oklahoma and hopes to have it published soon.