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    Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: 40th Anniversary Special Edition
    Unavailable
    Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: 40th Anniversary Special Edition
    Unavailable
    Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: 40th Anniversary Special Edition
    Audiobook7 hours

    Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: 40th Anniversary Special Edition

    Written by Mildred D. Taylor

    Narrated by Lynne Thigpen and Jacqueline Woodson

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Mildred D. Taylor's Newbery Award-winning masterpiece with an introduction written and read by Jacqueline Woodson, just in time for its 40th Anniversary!

    Set in Mississippi at the height of the Depression, this is the story of one family's struggle to maintain their integrity, pride, and independence in the face of racism and social injustice. And it is also Cassie's story--Cassie Logan, an independent girl who discovers over the course of an important year why having land of their own is so crucial to the Logan family, even as she learns to draw strength from her own sense of dignity and self-respect.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateSep 27, 2005
    ISBN9780739335253
    Unavailable
    Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: 40th Anniversary Special Edition

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    Reviews for Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

    4/5

    1,520 ratings207 reviews

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    • 5/5
      This book was a landmark book about racism and the daily life of Cassie and her African American family. Through this book, readers learn about the injustices that surrounded the families during the depression, but also the commonalities of all humans--love, friendship, the importance of family, and right and wrong.
    • 4/5
      This should be on everyone's reading list, moving and thoughtful with so much realism.
    • 4/5
      In this Newbery Medal-winner, fourth grader Cassie Logan learns that African Americans are treated as second class citizens in Depression-era Mississippi. She and her family rebel the nasty Wallace brothers by arranging a boycott of their store. Wallace-brothers-and friends respond with horrifying violence. This was an amazing book. The narrative was engaging, the characters were lovable, and suspense was high--I sincerely worried about what the ugly white-folk were going to do. While reading, I was struck by how similar in theme this book was to all the unoriginal dystopias that are being cranked out by the YA market these days. It was about a young girl realizing that her society was not as wonderful as she had grown up thinking...it was about fighting for your rights against a seemingly hopeless situation. But, wait! This book was actually meaningful because it was describing a REAL situation! Something tragic that people actually suffered! That makes Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry a much more powerful book than any of those dystopias can ever hope to be. I think an intelligent fourth grader who loves dystopias couldn't help but love this book as well.
    • 5/5
      Having studied this one at school I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it but set myself the challenge. I had fairly good memories, which is saying something because I hated English Literature and was pretty rubbish too. Anyway, it exceeded expectations and I can see why this book won awards. It is excellently written and covers a very difficult subject by making it a personal story. I remember now that this was eye-opening to me as a teenager. I grew up in a small English town and had only experienced racism in people's comments about those not present. The ugly actions displayed in the book may be far removed from 21st Century Britain, but many of the root beliefs of superiority persist, and dare I say it, seem to be becoming more acceptable in these days of Britain First, UKIP, and the EU referendum. It is not a fun or happy book, but well worth the read for teenagers or adults.
    • 5/5
      Media: NAGenre: historical fictionage appropriateness: intermediate
    • 5/5
      Genre: Historical Fiction.Plot: The time and place play an integral role in shaping the plot and themes of the book. One of the important aspects of the book is the reaction of the characters to the societal norms of the time. Without it being set in the south during the Depression, this theme could have not been so fully explored.
    • 4/5
      Comments on Use: This is a great book for literature circles for older grades. The topics and challenges addressed by the main characters can really provoke some great conversations and discussion from students. Can be connected to social studies unit for this time period.Age: Upper elementary, middle school
    • 5/5
      Cassie Logan and her brothers Stacey, Christopher-John, and Little Man are growing up in Mississippi. The Logans are a strong family, working hard to make ends meet and pay for the land, which they're fortunate to own since most of their neighbors and friends are sharecroppers. This year will be a trying one for her as she deals with night riders and her father being gone to work on the railroad during the Depression.I'm having a hard time summarizing this book because it's so much more than the plot. It's about a loving family, and a girl's growing up as she deals with racism and injustice. Cassie's a feisty heroine that you can't help but root for, and the other characters - her mother Mary, her grandmother Big Ma, her father, and more - are vividly portrayed. Though I was often upset by what happened, this is such a rich book that I didn't want it to end. The audio is masterfully read by Lynne Thigpen, and included comments by the author on the final CD that explain a little about the story's origins.
    • 5/5
      This historical story is about Cassie (the narrator) and her brothers, Stacey, Christopher-John, and Little Man. The Logan kids walk to school everyday together and have to watch for the bus full of white children. At school, Miss Crocker gives them their textbooks which were hand-me-down's from the white school. Little Man refuses to take the dirty book because it was issued to him as a "negro." To get back at the school bus driver who constantly sprayed them with mud, the Logan children dug a hole for the bus to hit. All of the white children, including the bus driver, had to walk to and from school for 3 weeks. One day, T.J. cheats on a history test, but gives Stacey the sheets when Mrs. Logan comes and finds them. Stacey gets in trouble, but doesn't rat T.J. out. After school, he chases T.J. to beat him up all the way to the Wallace Store, where Mr. Morrison finds them. Instead of punishing them, Mrs. Logan takes the children to see Mr. Berry, who is disfigured from the house burnings. Big Mama, Cassie's grandmother, takes Stacey, Cassie and T.J. to Strawberry to sell her goods at the market there. Big Ma goes to the office of Mr. Jamison. T.J. takes Cassie and Stacey to the Barnett Mercantile, even though Big Ma told the kids to wait. Mr. Barnett started helping T.J., but he stopped every time a white customer came in. Cassie accidentally bumped Lillian Jean (a white girl)and is forced to apologize. Uncle Hammer came to visit. Hammer gives Stacey a wool coat as an early Christmas present. Papa comes home for Christmas and is staying until spring. On Christmas night, Jeremy visits the Logans and gives them gifts for Stacey. Papa did not trust Jeremy's family. When Papa found out about the children going to the Wallace store he whips them. Papa leads the boycott against the store. Big Ma signs papers giving the land to Papa and Hammer. Mr. Granger asks for the land, but Papa refuses. Cassie begins pretending to be Lillian Jean friend. Lillian Jean brags to her friends about Cassie carrying her books for her and calling her "Miss" Lillian Jean. Just when she begins trusting Cassie more, Cassie takes Lillian Jean into the woods and beats her up for what she did to her in Strawberry. T.J. was so angry about being caught cheating and failing in school that he tells Mr. John Wallace about Mrs. Logan and how she does not teach from the county-issued textbooks whose front covers she pasted over because she believes they contain falsehoods about life during slavery. Mr. Granger fires Mrs. Logan and Stacey blames T.J. Papa, Mr. Morrison and Stacey go to Vicksburg. On their way back home, the Wallace brothers attack them. Papa is shot and Mr. Morrison hurts Kaleb Wallace pretty badly. Papa survives the shot but has a broken leg. Granger forces the Logans to pay the bank loan that they had four years to finish paying. Hammer sells his car and Papa a few other things to make the payment. T. J. starts to hang Melvin and R. W. Simms. They were two very bad white teenagers who were up to no good. One night, they bring him on a murderous robbery and frame him to make it look like it was his fault. Papa goes to stop the lynching of T.J. that followed after the boys framed him. Soon after they left, the cotton field catches on fire. The lynch mob and the black farmers end up working together in order to stop the fire. Papa started the fire in order to stop the lynching. T.J. is taken into town by the sheriff and could possibly die for Jim Lee Barnett's murder in the store robbery, even though Melvin or R.W. Simms were the ones to blame.I know my review was extremely long, but I really enjoyed being able to remember all of the accounts. To sum up the meaning of the story, I would say showing people how terrible and cruel slavery was. I absolutely loved the story. I believe there are a lot of historical fiction books that are very interesting to young adolescents. I have noticed that books about slavery in MS and the holocaust seem to be the most interesting. This would be a great book to read in order to integrate social studies/history. The book was funny and very easy to read. It started off kind of slow and I did not think I would care for it too much, but overall I ended up loving it. There was so much in the book that just amazed me. I could not believe the text books. I ended up coming home this weekend and asking my grandmother if she remembered anything about have "race" in her textbooks in school. I would definitely use this book in my classroom, especially high school. I give this book 5 stars.
    • 4/5
      Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is about a black family that lives in Mississippi in the 1930's. As everyone knows, the life for blacks in Mississippi has not always been great. The Logan family knows this for sure. The story is told by Cassie Logan who lives in a house with her three siblings and her grandmother. Cassie Logan is confused to why her family and their neighbors are treated so poorly. She is determined throughout the book to find out why they are not equal. This would be a great book to use in the classroom. You could do a history lesson focusing on segregation in the south and have them read this story. The book has a lot of great examples of what the black families actually had to go through. You also could have the students reflect and write a reflection on how they felt about the way the Logan family was treated.I really enjoyed reading this book again. I read this book as an adolescent also. I enjoyed this book as an adolescent and I enjoyed it as a "young adult." There is so much going on in this book that I could not put it down. It is a very good read for all ages.
    • 4/5
      This book follows the life of the Logan family; they are a black family trying to survive discrimination. The narrator, Cassie Logan, lives with her three brothers Stacey, Little Man, and Christopher-John on a farm in Missississippi. Unlike most black families, they own land, because their father has always believed in the power of owning one's own proptery. Though the children come from a happy home, they are poor and must put up with the constant insults and cruelties from the white people who live in the same town. Their father has had to go to work out of town, so they can have enough money to live on. His friend, Mr. Morrison, comes to live with the family while Papa is gone for work. Stacy's annoying friend, T.J., becomes friends with two white boys. Many of the black familes in town are worried that something terrible is going to happen: the white people are angry becuase of the attempted boyscott and T.J. is getting out of control. One night when Papa and Morrison are out, Papa gets shot. He's unable to work, and is forced to ask his brother, Hammer, for money. The family is down to nothing, so they need support from Hammer. T.J. and his two white friends rob a store and the white people get their chance to attack. At the end of the story right when T.J. is about to be hung, Papa starts a fire to his own land. The town's people are forced to forget about T.J. and stop the fire. Even though T.J. goes to prision, Papa stopped the danger for the time being. However, he had to sacrifice his own land. This book is filled with many themes and historical connections for teaching opportunities. For example, you could start off the lesson by giving a historical background around that time period mentioned in the book. The students get a chance to have a better understanding of the time period and how society worked back then. After reading the book, the stduents could write a theme essay. This type of essay provides students with an organized means by which to express their thoughts and feelings about a topic. The book was very enjoyable. It was a book I could not put down because there was so many interesting things going on. It was hard to relate to this book because it is an older reading. I would definitely recommend this book to students in middle school. It would be a good book for them to enjoy. Over all, I really enjoyed the book; I hope students can enjoy it just as much as I did.
    • 4/5
      Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry is a children's novel that was published in 1976. However the story, itself, takes place in the segregated south in 1933. The story is actually narrated by brave 9 year Cassie who lives with her parents and her 3 brothers. The Logan Family experiences many hardships simply because they are African Americans. In fact, all the black children in the neighborhood have to walk to school because the county doesn't give them enough money to purchase school buses. In the meantime, the white children's school bus pass them every morning while often splashing mud on the Logans. In this novel the Logan family deals with land dilemmas. Cassie is saddened at the end of the novel because she can't change her family's problems nor can she change things that has happened in her neighborhood. I would definitely use this book in an english class. I would have my students to pick out the literary terms that we have discussed in class. I probably would have them to do story boards or posters on this book and allow them to pick out what is important. This story could also be used in an history or african american studies class to help students become aware of conditions before and during the civil rights movement. I really enjoyed this book. You can't read just two or three pages each day. Once you start reading this book, you will want to finish it. It is definitely a page turner! I tried not to give out too many details about this book because it is a must read! 2 thumbs up!
    • 5/5
      This story takes place in 1933, in Mississippi during the Great Depression. This story focuses on the importance of owning land and the effects of racism. There is a downpour everyday making the children walk to school. The Logan's do not want their children going to the Wallace store, because they will let the children in to buy liquor and cigarettes. The children made a hole in the road so that the "white" bus will wreck and the children will have to walk to school for weeks. There are a lot of different events that go on withing this book that lead to other things. Lillian Jean and Cassie have it out a lot during this story. Mrs. Logan gets fired for other people's actions. The father of the children gets shot and has a broken leg. T.J. causes problems with white teenagers names Melvin and R.W. The Logan's precious land catches on fire. Everyone of the town comes together to help the stop the fire. Papa wishes that he could start lying about everything and wish that it would have never happen. This book is filled with different themes, connections, and concerns. The land is an example of a theme from the book, because the land brings everyone at the end of story together. The people of the town just wanted to make sure that their land would not catch on fire either. Another example is the rain and thunder. The rain symbolizes the bad things that go on throughout the book. The fighting, arguing, and family issues are all examples of the different themes. I really enjoyed this book. The book talked about my hometown Vicksburg, Mississippi. This made the book more interesting since it took place in Mississippi. This book seemed very real because of all of the details that it had throughout the text. I would let my students read this book in my classroom, because it teaches about racism. The family was very loving and cared about their children, and this is what goes on in my family also. I loved how Big Ma told Little Man that if he stays in school he will have plenty of clothes and a couple of cars. This is very true, because I think that all family members should be like this to the children in their family. This was a very good book overall.
    • 5/5
      The book follows the Logan family who live in the deep south and experience racism on a daily basis. They live in Mississippi, although are fortunate enough to own land. The narrator is Cassie, the Logan family's only daughter. Although she does not know the way of things as well as the adults, she learns quickly. In the beginning of the book Cassie describes daily life of going to an all-black school and having to deal with the white bus that passes them on the road every day. They are constantly run off the road by the bus, a symbolism to how hard the times were for black people during this era. Mr. Logan (Papa) works at a railroad to keep the taxes on the land paid. He brings home a friend who is out of work, Mr. Morrison, to help the family in work and subconsciously act as a protector when Papa is away. A sub plot also follows T.J., the best friend of the oldest Logan boy, Stacey. T.J. constantly gets in trouble and at the end of the book gets caught up with two white boys that get him arrested and beaten up. Papa and Mama decide to not shop at a local store anymore because it is run by white folks that have not been respectful of any colored folks. Because they decide to shop elsewhere and get several other families to as well, they Logans begin to be hated by people in the town. This causes Papa to get shot, however he survives. At the very end of the book a brawl breaks out at T.J. Avery's house because of his mix up with two white boys (who he thinks are his "friends"). A fire breaks out (one that Papa intentionally starts although it is unspoken) to distract the men in the brawl and try to save T.J. from further injury. All the men rush to put out the fire because Granger's land is at stake. The fire is put out and the story ends with Cassie expressing her hurt for the people affected by racism (T.J.) and the land. This book is filled to the brim with teaching opportunities. For example, if you wanted to introduce historical context to the classroom, discussing Civil Rights would be appropriate. The entire book centralizes on racism, from the perspective of a black family. You could have the students write a reflective essay on their feelings about how the Logan family was treated and how they think they should have been treated, if they lived with us in the 21st century. This would cause the students to think outside the box and realize that there was much more to lose than just one's dignity during racism and slavery. You could also stress the importance of family. Without everyone on the same page, the Logan family would not have functioned so well. You could discuss the dynamics of a functional family and create a graphic organizer for ways to stay strong as a family. I honestly really enjoyed this book. I found myself unable to put it down because there was so much going on. It's hard to imagine that things as sad and cruel as this used to happen in this world so reading from a first person point of view was very emotional. I often found myself sad for the Logan family and angry for all the white people that did them wrong along the way. I picked out my favorite characters (Uncle Hammer, Mr. Morrison and Jeremy) early on because I believe they played a major role in the happenings of the novel. I would recommend this book to any ages over fifth grade, because there are some hard concepts to grasp that young children may have a lot of questions about. Overall, a great, informational and completely honest novel.
    • 5/5
      1. This book is about a black family who is undergoing the realities of segregation in Mississippi during the 1930s. This story is told by Cassie Logan, the daughter of a school teacher and a railroad worker. Cassie has three other siblings and a grandmother who lives with her. There is Stacey, Christopher John, and Little Man, and T.J., their family friend. Throughout the story, the family is trying to survive on the little money her parents can make to keep their land. Cassie and her brothers encounter troubles with the local white kids in their community. Cassie does not understand why white people are treated so well and black people are treated like dirt. Cassie demands to know why things are this way, but her mother just says that that's how things are and she hopes that one day she will not have to go through that anymore and that everyone will be treated equally. T.J. is a troublemaker and T.J. ends up getting into a lot of trouble... The Logan children have to decide whether or not to help him. This story is heart warming, suspenseful, and very entertaining. You will have to read it yourself to get the ending!2. I would definitely use this book in my classroom for instruction. This book has really good points that can be addressed and has so many literary devices within the work that students can benefit greatly from reading this text. For example, I would use this book as an example for teaching a brief history lesson on the instances of segregation in the south. After my students read this book, I can have them find even more research that can back up information from this book and present it to the class as a report or a presentation.I can group my students and have each group pick a character in the story and make charts to give me details and characteristics of them from the story and tell me why those characters were important and what made them important in the story. I can give my students different metaphors and similes in the story and ask them to create their own "mini story". This would encourage their creativity and their in depth thinking of comparing this story to the one they will produce.3. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I was a little unsure at first, but once I started reading, I could not put the book down. I always wanted to know what was going to happen to the family and what was going to happen to their land. I was really getting upset with the store owners and the mayor of the town. I hated that in that time period, black people could only go to school, shop, or even walk to school in certain areas. This book was very entertaining and was an easy read. I strongly encourage anyone to read this book. I hated that it did not have a second part to the book and just ended the way it did. Overall, a good read.
    • 4/5
      This book is a honest gaze into the lives of African Americans during the sharecropping years. Although they are born into more privileged circumstances than most, the Logan children must learn how to survive in an atmosphere of bigotry, ignorance, and helplessness. But though their community is dominated by white men and night men, Cassie, Little Man, Stacey and Christopher John are taught courage by their remarkable parents. The family battles to keep their land, their heritage, and their honor at a time when justice and respect for blacks is almost nonexistent. The tension between the Logans and the white community comes to a climax on a hot August night, when the rolling thunder brings unexpected resolution to the strife. Like Mary Logan, I would teach this book in school to help my students understand the truth of our country's past treatment of African Americans. It is hard not to flinch when we have to share terrible stories like this with our students, but it is important for them to understand the mistakes that our ancestors here in the South have made. This book is wonderful in its development of its African American characters. Some students in the South are still brought up in homes where they pick up the idea that blacks are less human or less valuable than they are. I think that the intense characterization of Cassie and her brothers, and the powerful description of their adventures and emotions could help many white students to let go of the insulting ideas that some of them have learned from their parents. My fifth grade teacher read this book to our class, and it was a wonderful experience for all of us. I would teach this book to a Jr. High audience.
    • 4/5
      The book Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry deals with the life of the Logan family during a period of a lot a racism and discrimination.In a time where owning a piece of land meant more than just having a place to live on. the main character Cassie is somewhat confuse as to why people treat them differently and as the story develops she begins to understand the roll each person is playing. I think before reading this book teachers can go over the history of slavery and freedom in the USA that way kids can have some background. That way when kids read the book they can have sort of a window to the past and view the story in the characters perspective. I also think that this book can be used to teach kids about moral values because the believe that the book has good examples of that.I did like the book, i enjoyed reading it but some of the details could have been left out. I think it does give the reader a glimpse to that particular part of history. I thought the characters were well developed. I had a laugh when I read about the bus and could relate Stacey when he heard what was going to happen to his friend T.J. I think Cassie's parents did a good job teaching their Cassie and her brothers to stand up for what they believe and not let anyone tell them they cannot succeed in life.I did not like the ending, I think the author could of ended it differently but overall I think it was a good book.
    • 3/5
      Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is centered around the Logans, a family of African-Americans living in a society that is heavily clouded with racial discrimination. The four Logan children experience a loss of innocence through the events of the story as they find that all people are not treated as equals and that they are judged merely on their skin color. The protagonist of the book, Cassie, questions why this is so and finds herself apologizing to white people for things she is not sorry for. Cassie's brother, Stacey learns what it is like to be betrayed by a friend when his friend, T.J. , abandons him to befriend two white brothers. In the end, Stacey must make an important decision- help his "friend" and risk getting hurt, or return T.J.'s betrayal with some of his own. There are endless teaching connections that can be made in regards to this book. The book could easily be tied into a History lesson, for example, on racial discrimination during the time period. After the students have read the book and learned about the historical context of it, the teacher could have them write a response to racial discrimination, including their thoughts on the subject of racial discrimination in the book and in modern day times. In this way, three subjects, literature, history, and writing are being addressed at the same time. Another thing that I think would be interesting to do with this book would be to compare the theme of racial discrimination in Roll of Thunder to the discrimination in To Kill A Mockingbird. The students would get into groups and discuss the similarities and differences concerning the same theme of racial discrimination in the two books. This activity would inspire the students to think critically about themes and racial discrimination as a whole. I thought Roll of Thunder was very well written and would be useful in teaching key areas concerning literature. Mildred Taylor does a fantastic job of relating racial discrimination to children. In this way, young adults feel more personally connected than they otherwise would. Although I thought the book was very well written, I did not personally enjoy it. I think the reason I did not really like it was because of the genre. I do not generally read historically based works. I did, however, enjoy the character of Cassie because of her unwillingness to accept the attitudes toward African Americans and her persistence in finding the answer the question....why? Cassie's willful persistence is what made me be able to read the book with ease, even though it was not particularly my favorite genre or topic to read.
    • 3/5
      In Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, author Mildred D. Taylor raises awareness to the issues of racism and oppression of African Americans in Mississippi during the 1930s. The book is written from the viewpoint of nine-year-old Cassie Logan, who throughout the book, describes the daily struggles that she and her younger brothers encounter due to the color of their skin. Poverty, racial discrimination, overwhelming fear, and injustice are constant reminders to the Logan family of the era in which they live. However, by dealing with each trial as a family that sticks together, Cassie and her brothers learn the importance of doing what is right, even when it hurts.Teaching Connections:This book is perfect to use to raise awareness to racial discrimination in Mississippi during the Great Depression and to tie into a Civil Rights lesson. (Great read for February/Black History month) The style of writing Taylor uses allows to kids to read from a first hand perspective, making the sense of fear Cassie and her brothers felt that much more powerful. Students could be required to journal how they may have handled some scenarios differently and support why they how/why they would have. A Fish Bowl discussion could also be opened as an opportunity for students to discuss how they should handle issues of racism still prevalent today.Personally, I think Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry would be a beneficial reading requirement for high school students. I find it incredibly important for the youth in our society to understand how far we have come, and how far we still have to go. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone interested in the Civil Rights Movement, and more specifically, in Mississippi's African American history. Taylor's successful execution regarding her convictions about racial discrimination should not go unnoticed.
    • 4/5
      Learning, farming, and having strong ties to her family, it sounds like a normal life for Cassie Logan. There is one huge difference though; there is discrimination all throughout Mississippi. Burnings and lynchings come in the night; anyone could come and kill Cassie and her family. The Logan family wants change among many others having to deal with discrimination. Will times ever change for the families in Mississippi? "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" is a great addition to young readers' literature. Not only does it teach children about the history of our nation, it also teaches students the value of respect for everyone. It, when teaching history, describes times that children could not even imagine, a time when we were not all equal. Its themes of courage and love show children that even when the races of people are different, they are all the same. This book would be a great addition to the reading lists of all adolescent students. I really loved this book. "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" has a perfect mix of history and morals. The mischievous plans the Logan children come up with is pure entertainment. Its fine lessons make this quite a great book. "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" is an excellent book that I would recommend to anyone.
    • 3/5
      I loved this story. It is a stor about Cassy Logan and her family living in a world where slavery has ended, but racism is at its height. Cassie being a young girl, is fearless and does not realize the world around her is what it is. Throughout the book she learns that her family does not have the same privileges as white families, and most of the time she has a hard time understanding why. Her family faces lots of tough times, but overall it is a great book that shows how loving, proud, and how much fight the Logan family had in them.
    • 4/5
      Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry tells the story of Cassie Logan and her family who live in the Deep South in the 1930s. Cassie is nine-years-old, and she lives on her family farm with her close-knit family. She has two brothers, and for the most part, they have grown up living a sheltered, safe life. However, the year in which the book is set proves to be very challenging for her family. There are night-riders who are threatening and hurting local African-Americans, and one night those night-riders show up at Cassie's house. Cassie's father vehemently defends his family's land, but the turmoil created by the night-riders starts to tear the community apart.This book is one in a series, and it can easily be used in a fifth or sixth grade class to illustrate the racism and terror that existed in the Deep South during that time. Numerous conversations about racism and discrimination can be fostered through this book, and it would be easy to talk about racism being a learned behavior and examining why people act the way they do.
    • 4/5
      Review: This book is a fictional story about the Logan family and their experience in segregated Mississippi during the Great Depression, 1933. The story is told from the point of view of Cassie, a 9 year old girl who is just discovering the racial tension that she and her family are subject to because of their race. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, is an excellent piece that really captures the horror of segregation in racism in America's not so distant past. Genre: This book is an excellent example of Historical Fiction/multi-cultural fiction. While exploring themes of diversity and social injustice, the book keeps events that did not actually happen, in the context of true and plausible events for the time period. The story is well written and like previously mentioned, has good history intertwined as well. The events of the depression and segregation in the United States, happened over 25 years ago, which is also another defining characteristic of historical fiction.
    • 5/5
      Review: Cassie Logan, a fourth grade African American girl living in Mississippi during the Depression, quickly learns the horrible truths of racism and how important owning land and standing united can be.Genre: Historical FictionCritique: This is a wonderful and moving example of historical fiction. While these characters were not real people, their circumstances and struggles are very real. This novel captures history in a way that is from a different perspective, with feelings and dialogue, that is still based in truth and history. There is a lot of mention of the struggles of the time (because of the Great Depression), the racism (and the difference between the North and South), and of the ways that racism showed itself (like in discrimination of schools, lynching, tar and feathering, burning, unfair or no trails, etc.).
    • 5/5
      This book is about the Logan family are a black family in a white run community. This book is about their children growing up and beginning to realize how the inequality of blacks and whites worked during that time. It was all about the land at that time and the Logan's would do anything to protect it, even set their own cotton fields on fire to protect a foolish black boy (T.J.) from being murdered right on the spot. This book shows the importance of family and what you would do to protect your family and what you believe.Critique (Genre): This is a great example of realistic fiction because the inequality of black and white people was very prevalent and violent during the time and place this book was set in. Many children did learn little by little that the world doesn't always work the way we believe it should, and did it through living through these hard times. The characters, setting, point of view, and plot were all realistic, relevant and culturally and historically accurate to make this a very good example of realistic fiction.
    • 4/5
      This book tells the story of the Logan Family as they navigate the waters of being powerful African Americans in world that refuses to accept the. The Logan children, especially Cassie, learn what it means to be African America and the powerlessness and fear that often accompanies life. But with the determination of Papa, Mama, Big Ma, and Mr. Morrison, the children discover that they can make a difference and stand up for themselves and be proud of their heritage.Genre: historical fictionCritique: This book is a good example of historical fiction because it tells the realistic story of an African American family in the years after the ending of slavery and how they learn to navigate the tensions in society. The plot would be realistic in another time and place which also makes it good historical fiction.Media: n/a
    • 4/5
      This book deals with a black family living in the South after reconstruction. The story is told through the eyes of Cassie, a school age girl. Through the book, Cassie must come to terms with the way society has the cards stacked against those of her race. One of the main themes in this novel, obviously, is race. Many "classic" texts read in the classroom also deal with this, so it would not be hard to connect it to or use it in conjunction with them. One such text is Ellen Foster. Though set a little after this novel, Ellen Foster deals with racism through the eyes of a white person. Racism may not be the "main" theme in Ellen Foster, but it is certainly a big one.I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The book is packed with action, something that many classroom standard texts can't boast. This read actually managed to put a feeling of suspense in me. I was expecting something a little more dramatic at the end, but overall, it is a very good read.
    • 4/5
      Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry is the story of the Logan family and their pursuit to fight racial injustice and stay in control of their land. The story comes from the children's point of view and is narrated by the second oldest child and only girl, Cassie. Cassie sheds light and the racial injustices the family experience from being almost ran over by the white school bus every day to the threat of lynching and having the bank try to foreclose on their loan. The Logan family does not just focus on their own problems they try to help the neighborhood by boycotting the Wallace store and buying goods in Vicksburg on credit from Mr. Jamison. The Logan's tries to help the community are fought by Mr. Granger, a wealthy plantation owner who wants the Logan's land. In the end, the community is able to come together and protect their town helping the Logan's to protect their family and the land that is rightfully theirs. This story confronts many issues that may be difficult for a younger fifth or sixth grade student to understand. I believe the subject of the lynchings and the theme of the fight against racial inequality is very important. It is important that students notice the details leading up to the Logan's boycott/ fight: the school bus, the lack of new books, the mistreatment in Strawberry, and the burning of the Berry's. These elements show a historical aspect of life that modern day students are not familiar with. I also believe that a character evaluation of Stacey would be very important. Does Stacey's code of honor always lead him to make the right decision? The importance of a true friend is also shown in this book not only with Stacey's friendship with Jeremy but with T.J.'s fake friendship with R.W. and Melvin.I really enjoyed this book! Even though it is written at a middle school level, it was very captivating and intriguing. I was caught up walking to school with the children wondering when the bus would come around the corner next. This book addressing many major issues and moral issues as well. It makes you think about how things were in the '30s reminding you of the importance of friends. This book also had bits of humor which made it flow more enjoyably.
    • 4/5
      This book does a great job at showing the reader what happened after the segregation ended. It is a story about the Logan family who are African American and are living on their own land in Mississippi in the 1930's and most of the story is told from the perspective of Cassie, the youngest child. It shows all the mistreatment African Americans faced at that time and does it in a very true and real manner. The author doesn't hide the things that occurred or sugar coat them. The book would be great to teach students about how people were treated so badly based simply off of their skin tone, and you can see the hurt they experience every day of their lives because the white people thought less of them. It also shows the students how you can always get through a tough situation, the Logan's continually face struggles and mistreatment but they always look towards the bright side and fight it and stick up for themselves. They never gave up, which is a great thing for students to learn and they see it played out in such a difficult situation it makes it easier for them in a more simple situation.
    • 5/5
      Media: NoneGenre: Historical FictionReview: This book is an excellent example of a historical fiction novel because it includes both history and fiction. The event that is being defined happened before I was born and the information is accurate for the time period. The author introduces a town in which the African American and White families are treated completely different. We learn why the land to the Logan family is so important and how they will do almost anything to keep it. This book gives us a very good look into what it was like right after segregation ended.