Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Rereading this as an adult definitely reinforced the love I had for it in middle school. It's always dangerous revisiting childhood favorites, but this was a fantastic experience.

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This was assigned reading for my 7th grade Language Arts class, and I remember liking it so much I breezed through the 3-week reading schedule and finished the first weekend. Hoping to reread soon!

Nine year old Cassie and her brothers Stacey, Christopher-John, and Little Man must walk to school each day while the white students caught the bus to their all-white school in 1930s Mississippi. The Logan family is one of the few black families in the region who own their land, but neighboring white plantation owner Harlan Granger wants it for himself. In an area where race relations are often volatile and always unjust, the Logan children must learn what it means to be strong and proud of their heritage in a world that views them as worthless. I think that this novel is a powerful tool for illustrating not only a dark and difficult time in America's history, but the small personal triumphs that can occur when families stick together and work hard to maintain their dignity. Highly recommended for all readers.