Daughters of the Dust
by Julie Dash
About_
This study guide follows the Peazant family, a Gullah community on South Carolina’s Sea Islands in 1902, as they
prepare to leave their ancestral home for the mainland North. The story is told through the voices of Nana Peazant,
the family matriarch, and an unborn child narrator, weaving together themes of memory, faith, and the tension
between tradition and progress. This guide covers the five key sections of the family’s final days on the island,
offering comprehension and critical thinking questions, a vocabulary crossword, and a character study of Nana
Peazant. This study guide contains 65 questions across 5 chapter sections (50 Factual + 15 Critical), 1 Crossword
Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity.
What’s Included_
This study guide features 5 sets of 10 Factual Questions with an answer key (50 total), 5 sets of 3 Critical Analysis
Questions (15 total), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity (8 traits + evidence prompt +
critical thinking question).
Target Grades_
Grades 10-12 (contains mature historical themes including slavery and sexual assault)
Teacher Note_
This guide is designed to help students trace how memory, faith, and family history shape identity across
generations. The mix of factual recall and open-ended discussion questions builds both comprehension and critical
thinking, while the crossword and character study offer engaging ways to reinforce vocabulary and character
analysis — saving you prep time while giving students a rich entry point into a complex, layered narrative.