What was roll of thunder hear my cry about

Parents need to know that Mildred D. The , 40th anniversary edition pictured here features cover art by Caldecott Honor-winner Kadir Nelson and an introduction by Jacqueline Woodson. The story builds to a fiery climax and features violence motivated by racial prejudice. A family is threatened by a white neighbor and by fire; a mob threatens people; three men are set on fire; children are whipped by teacher and parents; a teen boy is beaten by some older men; one man is shot; and there are vague references to rape.

It's a meaningful tale of one family's struggle to keep their small piece of land and maintain their dignity under extremely challenging circumstances. Add your rating See all 15 parent reviews.

Add your rating See all 82 kid reviews. Yet the novel effectively conveys, even in the midst of violence and hatred including nightriders, arson, and lynching , the importance of family loyalty, as well as pride in the face of adversity. Readers will share Cassie's outrage and cheer her courage as she faces racism and violence in this compelling story. Even though she uncovers some pretty scary things, readers will be comforted knowing that she belongs to a strong and supportive family.

It's this loyalty, love, and intense pride that enable the Logans to endure in the racist culture of s Mississippi. Author Mildred D. Taylor doesn't pull any punches as she describes terrorism by nightriders, burnings ,and near lynchings. This book should be read with or introduced by a parent or teacher, both for the disturbing content and to help explain undefined references, such as sharecropping and Reconstruction.

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is the best kind of historical fiction, in which powerful lessons from the past are encased in such an absorbing story with such unforgettable characters that children don't feel like they're "studying" history at all. Families can talk about racism in s Mississippi and now. What has changed since then? What challenges still remain? What do you think of the violence in the story? Did you know things like lynchings and mob violence went on?

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See how we rate. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. Thank you for your support. Our ratings are based on child development best practices. We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. The star rating reflects overall quality. Learn how we rate. The War I Finally Won. Harbor Me. Jacqueline Woodson. Beyond the Bright Sea.

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Please try again. Name Please enter your first name only. Submit review. More books like this. Noughts and Crosses Author: Malorie Blackman Callum is a Nought but his best friend Sephy is a Cross - the daughter of one of the most influential politicians in the country. Mama explains to Cassie that Big Ma had no choice but accede to Mr. Simms' wishes. Uncle Hammer drives the family around in his new Packard and also gives Stacey a new coat.

TJ makes fun of him because it is so big on him until Stacey gives it to TJ to borrow until he grows into it. Uncle Hammer makes him give it to TJ permanently for being irresponsible enough to let TJ take it from him in the first place. On Christmas, Mr.

Morrison tells the story of how, when he was six years old, his entire family was killed when an angry white mob attacked his house, where two young men accused of molesting a white women were hidden.

Big Ma puts the land in Hammer and Papa's names to protect it. Jamison agrees to provide credit for the families who have agreed to have Papa shop for them in Vicksburg rather than patronize the Wallaces' store. Granger, who owns the land upon which Wallace store sits, threatens Uncle Hammer and Papa with the loss of their land.

Cassie pretends to be friends with Lillian Jean, acting subservient, calling her Miss, and carrying her books for her. One day she takes her into the woods and fights with her, pulling her hair until she apologizes for the incident in Strawberry.

Cassie threatens to tell the secrets that Lillian Jean has shared with her if she says anything to her father. Mama fails TJ on a test for cheating. In retribution, he mentions to the Wallaces that she has covered the inside of the books. Kaleb Wallace, Harlan Granger , and another man from the school board come to Mama's class when she is teaching a lesson about the injustices of slavery and fire her.

Avery , Mr. Lanier, and several other people stop buying goods in Vicksburg when Mr. Granger and Mr. Montier raise the percentages of cotton they want from their sharecroppers and threaten to kick anyone who continues the boycott off their land. On the way back from a trip to Vicksburg to buy goods for the few families still participating in the boycott, Papa, Mr. Morrison, and Stacey must stop when the back wheels fall off their wagon.

As they fix them, the Wallace truck stops behind them and someone shoots at Papa, grazing his temple. The horse tries to run away, and the wheel of the wagon rolls over Papa's leg, breaking it.

Morrison fights off the Wallaces, badly injuring them. With his new injury, Papa can't go back to work on the railroad, but it looks like the family might scrape by until the bank calls in the note on their mortgage.

Uncle Hammer sells his Packard to pay for it.