Hello fellow reader and welcome to this book review on Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. This story, an artistically written piece of historical fiction by Mildred D. Taylor, takes place in 1933 from the perspective of Cassie, an African-American girl who lives down south in Mississippi with her brothers, 12-year-old Stacy, pudgy Christopher-John, and immaculate Little-Man, along with their Mama and Big Ma. Their dad, whom the children miss and respect, is often at work on the railroads and brings a friend who lost his job to stay with them. Other important characters are TJ, Stacy’s friend who often gets himself into trouble, and Uncle Hammer, who lives in Chicago with a  well-paying job thus allowing him to help Cassie’s family. The main focus of the story revolves around Cassie’s family protecting their land and assisting fellow African-Americans from the Wallaces, Mr. Granger, and the Night Men as they plot against them. 

I highly recommend this book for kids nine and older who are learning about the injustices African-Americans faced in the 20th century. The author tactfully submerges the reader into this time period with her writing. I often felt as if I was actually present, observing the events that Cassie and her family experienced. I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes when Mama lovingly explains to Cassie, “Baby, we have no choice of what color we’re born or whether we’re rich or poor. What we do have is some choice over what we make of our lives once we’re here.”  I hope you enjoy this historical fiction as much as I did.