Week 3

Week 3: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

Book Summary:

Though her family has tried to protect Cassie and her siblings from the horror and degradation of racism, she begins to see the injustices put upon her family through a series of heart breaking events. Cassie’s frustration over her circumstances is evident when she pretends to be friends and later beats up Lillian, a racist classmate who repeatedly humiliates Cassie. Cassie’s father, Papa, struggles to keep the family’s land, which provides a sense of security and independence, and sees it as the only way to keep his family together.  Papa’s integrity and courage are evident when he risks everything to protect T.J. from a lynch mob even though T.J. has brought heartache and financial problems to the family.

My Impressions:

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry was hard to read as I shed many tears over the for Cassie and her family. Books such as this are powerful and help readers understand the resentment that must be felt by those who experienced the humiliation and horrors of racism in our country.

Professional Review:

“I was exposed to, and distinctly remember, many classic picture books. But the most moving children’s book I’ve ever read was one I encountered as an adult, Mildred Taylor’s Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.” - Ann Martin

Library Uses:

During Freedom Week or Black History month, create a display of books with similar themes such as The Little Rock Nine.

APA Reference:

Taylor, M. (1976). Roll of thunder, hear my cry. New York, NY: Dial Books.

Martin, a. (2009). Everything I need to know I learned from a children’s book. New

York, NY: Holtzbrinick.