Why did Karen hesse use free verse poetry when writing out of the dust?

Karen Hesse chose to use free verse poetry in "Out of the Dust" to mirror the chaos and emotional turbulence experienced by the characters living during the Dust Bowl era. The fragmented structure allowed her to convey the raw emotions of loss, despair, and hope in a powerful and evocative way. Additionally, the free verse style helped to create a sense of urgency and immediacy in the storytelling.