Mildred D. Taylor - Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry: A Literature Unit

Pros: Compelling story, beautifully written, great characters.

Cons: None

The Bottom Line: A great book for the ten to fifteen age group to get to grips with.

Review: Cassie Logan has great belief in her own worth, her Mamma has taught her well and not just because her Mamma is a teacher, but because her Mamma is proud of her brood and pride is an expensive commodity in Mississippi in the 1930’s. Cassie and her ...

Pros: gripping story-telling, attention to detail without going overboard, fine choice of issues to illustrate, excellent character development, believable, amazingly real

Cons: the story ends!

Review: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry covers so many issues in the lives of children, teens and adults, from learning to stand up for ones beliefs to coming of age lessons. What amazes me is the author's ability to convey these issues succinctly and in a way...

Pros: Well developed characters. Superior use of dialogue. Realistic depiction of the past.

Cons: Some objectionable language.

The Bottom Line: Will appeal to every age not just children. Teachers can use this book to teach about racism and prejudice.

Review: I took a Children's Literature class at the University of Central Florida, and Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry was one of the books I studied in class. This book is considered to be a timeless classic that teachers would do well to use in the...

Pros: teaches a great lesson, historical

Cons: none

Review: Mildred Taylor did a fantastic job with this book. It relates the life of an African American family and the turmoil and trouble they face in Mississippi in 1933. Each character in the Logan family comes to life through Taylor's words. Each person...

Pros: Well-written; Powerful; A must-read

Cons: Some kids don't like it--it may need to grow on you

Review: Mix a powerful story with a daughter of an expert storyteller (who does quite well at storytelling herself!) and you have everything Mildred D. Taylor has written. This volume, easily her best, is riveting, engaging, and frightening. It is as relevant...

Pros: Shows the horrible prejudice behavior to blacks in America.

Cons: Sometimes is slow moving and boring.

The Bottom Line: Get the sequels, it will be worth it. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is also good, but I hope I didn't ruin the ending!

Review: Chapters 11 and 12 were like the icing on a cupcake. They wrapped up a good story, just like the creamy, vanilla icing that you would lick off of a cupcake. The reason for this is because of the huge climax involving T.J. The story ends at a spot...

Pros: A very touching book.

Cons: A sad ending.

Review: This book takes place during the Depression. It is about a black family in
Mississippi. The family members are Big Ma, Mamma, Pappa, Stacey,(the oldest brother) Cassie, ( the only girl in the family) Christopher John, and Little Man ( also known as...

Pros: Great,clear descriptions

Cons: In some parts a little to much description.

Review: Hello my name is Alicia,I enjoy reading a lot of books,but my personal favorite is Roll Of Thunder,Hear My Cry. It is about a African American family named the Logans.It tells about the hardships they face due to being slaves,and how they overcome their...

Pros: an eye-opening, soul-shaking book told authentically and simply

Cons: depressing, not a “feel-good” story or a read-aloud, a few characters are shallow

The Bottom Line: Want to get interested in Civil Rights? There’s no better way than to read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.

Review: Sometimes, too, the biggest concepts comes in the smallest and humblest packaging. My clear proof is a worn paperback children’s book I picked up for 25 cents, a book that rocked my world after several years of sitting on the shelf unread. You...

Pros: good historical views

Cons: none

Review: Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry will bring to life many of the problems faced by an African American family in the deep south during the 30's. We see how many families were treated as second class citizens even though they had many of the same desires and...