WELCOME TO A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BACKGROUND OF MILDRED D. TAYLOR’S CLASSIC BOOK,  ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY.

Most of us love the story of spunky, sassy Cassie Logan and her proud, determined, and loving family.  On the other hand, it’s hard for us to understand why Cassie and her brothers can’t ride the bus to school or why no one arrests the white men who burned John Henry Barry, who was black, just because they claimed he’d flirted with a white woman.

The resources here can help you understand better what life was like for Cassie and her family in Mississippi in 1933, the heart of the deepest economic depression the world has ever experienced.  You can also learn more about Mildred Taylor, her other books, as well as other books and movies that have similar themes. We think you’ll like the glossary of allusions--references to things in history or literature that Ms. Taylor mentions in passing, too; it helps explain things like sharecropping or shows what Uncle Hammer’s Packard might have looked like. The links at the top of the page will take you directly to these resources.

There are also hints to help you with using research databases if you want to find out more on your own.  For your teachers and parents, there are explanations, resources, and ideas for projects.  You’re welcome to check those out, too.

If you know something that we should add to this, let us know.  We’re here to help!