You will wish for more of this story!

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry covers so many issues in the lives of children, teens and adults, from learning to stand up for ones beliefs to coming of age lessons. What amazes me is the author's ability to convey these issues succinctly and in a way that pre-teens can understand without explanation from a more experienced reader.

The experiences the Logan family face in this story offer powerful messages of tolerance and intolerance, fear and comfort, joy and sorrow, and the pain of wanting to be "normal" and live with dignity and pride when others just won't let them. Their pride and symbol of freedom, their land, is something they cling to and fight for, giving whatever is necessary to keep it. Because of the land, they are free. Because of their freedom, others want the land -- taking it will "put them in their place."

The strong parental roles depicted in this story will have adult readers cheering in their attempts to raise their children to honor and respect others, but never to confuse honor and respect with giving in to something you feel is wrong.

As a white reader, I get a sense of the pain these black characters suffered and I wonder at their perseverance. I will never know the persecution and degradation many people have suffered and still do because of something they can't change -- whether it be color, handicap or nationality. I reveled in each small victory of the Logan family and I marvelled at their ability to keep on against even the biggest odds. Most of all, I blissfully read every word on every page, wishing the story would never end and I could go on with the Logans, cheering them on throughout their lives.