Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Written by Mildred D. Taylor

Part of the Logan Family Saga series

A family's land is their lifeblood amidst racism and turmoil.

6.0/7 Bookroo expert·3.9/5 Goodreads · 132,717 ratings

276 pages· 65,468 words· Est. 7.5 hour read· 920L

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Bookroo's summary

In Depression-era Mississippi, young Cassie Logan learns the true value of her family's land amidst racial tensions and social injustice. As night riders threaten and humiliation looms, the Logans' land becomes their source of pride and resilience. Can Cassie find strength in her heritage and dignity in herself to face the challenges ahead? Discover the power of family and the unyielding spirit of independence in this gripping tale of courage and identity.

"Those students fortunate enough to have shoes hopped from one pinched foot to the other. Tonight the Sunday clothes would be wrapped in newspaper and hung for Sunday and the shoes would be packed away to be brought out again only when the weather turned so cold that bare feet could no longer traverse the frozen roads; but for today we all suffered."

— from the book

From the publisher

Winner of the Newbery Medal, this remarkably moving novel has impressed the hearts and minds of millions of readers.

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.

“[A] vivid story…. Entirely through its own internal development, the novel shows the rich inner rewards of black pride, love, and independence.”—Booklist, starred review

Awards

Newbery Medal (1977)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (1977)Coretta Scott King Honor (1977)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (1977)

At a glance

Format
Pages: 276
Words: 65,468
Reading age: 10–14
Audience: Young Adult
Lexile: 920L

Themes & topics

Books about prejudice and racism Books about economic depressions Books about race relations Books about culture Books about 1930's

What readers & critics say

Reviews

6.0

out of 7

6.0

“I read this chapter book in elementary school, and made a huge impression on me. It was my first real, meaningful introduction to this period of American history and the harsh realities of life in the Jim Crow south. It should be required reading for kids in grades 4-6!”

Lauren Hancock

Trusted reviewer

The author