Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry – Mildred D. Taylor

Expectation: A heavy-handed young adult classic that prioritizes hijinks over meaningful character development and scenario exploration. 

Reality: Thoughtful and engrossing, the story had me hooked from the first chapter. This is a fantastic historical fiction introduction to America’s racial injustices. 

My Take:

Let’s level-set this review with an admission: I didn’t want to read “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.” 

It was selected as part of a buddy read, and I felt compelled to honor my commitment even though there were a dozen other novels I would’ve prioritized over this young adult classic. 

Then, I posted about it on Instagram and was flooded with comments from people, like: “this was my favorite book growing up” or “I re-read this frequently” or “my child and I had a meaningful discussion after reading it.” 

While intrigued, I wasn’t convinced. Then I finished the first chapter and had a difficult time putting it down. I. Was. Enthralled.

Mildred D. Taylor richly draws the life of nine-year-old Cassie Logan and her family in 1930s Mississippi. Unlike other Black families in the area, they own nearly 400-acres of land and are proud, hard working people that influence by example. 

Each chapter acts as a vignette of life during the time period, giving matter-of-fact explorations of Jim Crow segregation for pre-teen readers. Masterfully plotted, Taylor connects the disparate elements together seamlessly — giving both the children and adults key moments — as we careen towards a heartstopping conclusion that had me questioning if the author was really going to kill one of the children.

Therein lies the timelessness of “Thunder.” It is, simply, a thrilling ride. 

It works for readers of all ages — never pandering or talking down — essentially allowing each scenario to work on two-levels: what Cassie and her siblings perceive, and the reality the adults experience. 

A lot of modern YA leans into melodrama, but Taylor showed the power of nuanced storytelling. When Cassie and her brother refuse to accept the worn-down, outdated textbooks, it’s an honest act of protest driven by personal values. When her parents organize a boycott of the racist shopkeeper, it is quiet defiance that creates a meaningful ripple effect. 

These moments establish the moral compass of the Logan family, which in turn makes the unflinching racism sting even more. Taylor holds back little — violence and epithets — and the reality is the novel would probably not be published without some sanitization today. 

Unsurprisingly it has been finding its way onto banned book lists across the United States because of its realistic, but still age-appropriate, spotlight on racial injustices. The situations presented in this novel — such as firing without cause, fraud, wrongful incarceration — still happen. People of all demographics and ages need to know this and not be coddled. 

I cheered with the Logan kids when they stalled the bus. I held my breath during the lynch mob and cotton field fire. In other words, I felt like a kid again, yet with the hindsight to recognize this not only as entertainment but as a powerful tool for social justice and empathy. 

Everyone needs to read this story at least once in their life. As the author stated in her note: “My stories will not be politically correct, so there will be those that will be offended by them, but, as we all know, racism is offensive. It is not polite and it is full of pain.”

Finally, the audiobook was narrated by Lynne Thigpen, the beloved late actress who will always hold a special place in my heart as The Chief from “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” Her performance was delightful, giving each character a distinct voice while matching the tone of each section perfectly. 

It’s a great way to experience “Thunder,” but given the text is more literary than juvenile, it would also make for a fulfilling read.  

Rating (story): 4.5/5 stars

Rating (narration): 4/5 stars

Format: Audiobook (library loan)

Dates read: February 18 – February 24, 2024

Multi-tasking: Good to go, but you’ll still want to pay close attention to how Taylor ties the pieces together.