In all Mildred D. Taylor's unforgettable novels she recounts "not only the joy of growing up in a large and supportive family, but my own feelings of being faced with segregation and bigotry." Her Newbery Medal-winning Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry tells the story of one African American family, fighting to stay together and strong in the face of brutal racist attacks, illness, poverty, and betrayal in the Deep South of the 1930s. Nine-year-old Cassie Logan, growing up protected by her loving family, has never had reason to suspect that any white person could consider her inferior or wish her harm. But during the course of one devastating year when her community begins to be ripped apart by angry night riders threatening African Americans, she and her three brothers come to understand why the land they own means so much to their Papa. "Look out there, Cassie girl. All that belongs to you. You ain't never had to live on nobody's place but your own and long as I live and the family survives, you'll never have to. That's important. You may not understand that now but one day you will. Then you'll see."

Twenty-five years after it was first published, this special anniversary edition of the classic strikes as deep and powerful a note as ever. Taylor's vivid portrayal of ugly racism and the poignancy of Cassie's bewilderment and gradual toughening against social injustice and the men and women who perpetuate it, will remain with readers forever. Two award-winning sequels, Let the Circle Be Unbroken and The Road to Memphis, and a long-awaited prequel, The Land, continue the profoundly moving tale of the Logan family. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter

From AudioFile
Mildred Taylor's Newbery Award-winning book is the bittersweet and beautifully written story of the Logans, a poor black family struggling through poverty and racism in Depression-era Mississippi. Through the eyes of Cassie, the feisty only daughter, we come to admire the dignity, courage, and resourcefulness of this close-knit family. Lynne Thigpen is the ideal choice for this book. Having read the book and listened to the audio, I have to say I got the keenest pleasure from listening. Thigpen gives a keenly felt portrayal of each character, capturing the nuances and inflections in the voices of people driven nearly to despair, as well as tender moments of compassion between parent and child. There is an especially poignant moment when the children witness a near lynching that she handles with wonderful aplomb. Listening to her eloquent reading brings an already powerful story vividly to life in a performance you'll find hard to shut off and sorry to see end. D.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Midwest Book Review
Cassie's family faces a real challenge: to hold on to land in the South during the Depression. Her father works away from home and her mother works and runs the family farm. Lynne Thigpen dramatizes this excellent classic story of a black family's struggles to remain independent and proud against all obstacles.

ANNOTATION

A black family living in Mississippi during the Depression of the 1930s is faced with prejudice and discrimination which its children do not understand.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The story of one African American family fighting to stay together and strong in the faceof brutal racist attacks, illness, poverty, and betrayal in the Deep South of the 1930s.

FROM THE CRITICS

Booklist

Entirely through its own internal development, the novel shows the rich inner rewards of black pride, love, and independence.

AudioFile - Jo Carr