Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildren D. Taylor, is the story of the Logan family and their struggles in Mississippi during the Great Depression.  Cassie, the only daughter in the Logan family, is a rambunctious, outspoken child.  She is just starting to feel the effect of racism in the South and will not stand for it.  When she is shopping at the local grocery and Mr. Wallace helps a little white girl before helping Stacey, Cassie will not sit idly by.  She steps up to Mr. Wallace.  However, the outcome is not what Cassie had envisioned.  Throughout the story, there are many examples just like this.  Cassie is learning what it means to be Black in the South. 

I would use this book to further a discussion on racism.  This book is a great example of narrative historical fiction.  I would couple this book with other books on the subject of racism.