Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry Critique

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry Critique

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, by Mildred D. Taylor, centers around the African American Logan family in Mississippi during 1933. Their struggles and successes are all narrated by Cassie Logan, one of the daughters in the Logan family. She primarily focuses on her family, specifically their struggles with racism and how they overcome it. This book does not deal with light issues, instead tackling racism, discrimination and overcoming disadvantages. Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry deals with these difficult issues in a way that even children can understand, doing so through the character of Cassie. I believe that this story would withstand the test of time because of the theme of family, the writing style used by the author, and its ability to deal with difficult social issues prevalent in 1933 Mississippi. 

In Mississippi in 1933, racism and discrimination towards African Americans were extremely prevalent and are prominently portrayed in this book. These can be difficult to write about, even for an adult audience, but this book does an excellent job of handling these topics and presenting them well to a child audience. I believe that the main reason it is able to do so is because the book is told through a child’s perspective. How Cassie and her siblings react to these issues would be ones that a child audience would relate to better than an adult’s reaction. One example of this is when Little Man reacts to receiving his reader. When he got his book, at first he was unimpressed with the poor condition. He eventually accepts it “But as he stared at the book’s inside cover, his face clouded, changing from sulky acceptance to puzzlement…he sucked in his breath and sprang from his chair like a wounded animal, flinging the book onto the floor and stomping madly upon it (Taylor, 1976, p. 24). Little Man’s strong reaction was due to the fact that on the inside cover, the school district recorded who had the book as well as what race they were, referring to the African Americans as “nigra” (Taylor, 1976, p. 25). Little Man’s rash reaction is one that I believe the children reading the book will relate to. Even though the children reading this book may have learned about racism and racial protests, children may not fully grasp why these protests were such a big deal. By seeing racism through a child’s eyes and seeing how upset they are, this would allow the child audience to better understand the social issues at that time. 

Another reason this book withstands the test of time is because of the theme of family. The way the Logan family makes it through these difficult times of racism and discrimination is by strengthening their familial bonds and sticking by each other’s side, no matter what. Trust in your family continually comes up throughout the book. After Berry was burned, the African American community was devastated at this blatant demonstration of racisms. The Logan family came together and declared that “‘In this family, we don’t shop at the Wallace store’” (Taylor, 1976, p. 41). It was a declaration of solidarity; The Logan family stays together. Another example of the strength in the Logan family is their unquestioning acceptance of Mr. Morrison (Taylor, 1976, pp. 34-37). Even though there may have been some uncertainty about Mr. Morrison, the family trusted Papa and took Mr. Morrison in. The Logan family demonstrates how a family has to be strong, and how they have to trust each other, especially during difficult times. 

Finally, the writing style used by the author engages a child audience and gives this book many unique contributions to children’s literature. Rather than the dialogue being written grammatically correct, the author chooses to convey the characters’ southern accent and way of talking through onomatopoeia. An example of this: “‘Ain’t heard nothin’ ‘bout yo’ husband, ma’am’” (Taylor, 1976, p. 60). Many times the first or last letter in a word would be cut off, which is typical in a southern dialect. The use of ma’am and sir are also very common in the South, and Taylor realizes and uses them. This southern dialect adds to the Mississippi setting and atmosphere of the book. Another unique writing style of this author is the portrayal of the characters in her book. Rather than individuals, the characters are almost always in groups. This leaves little to no room for a focus on individual characters and their development, but allows for group dynamics to play a more important role. What T.J. told Stacey encompasses the importance of having a group: “‘Friends gotta trust each other, Stacy, ‘cause ain’t nothin’ like a true friend.’” (Taylor, 1976, p. 77). Throughout the book, the characters are always in groups, and the groups are referenced more often than the individuals. The author in many cases only gives the characters informal names, in the case of TJ, RW, and Big Ma. This shows that the author places an importance on the group, as a whole, rather than the individual. By using onomatopoeia and focusing on group dynamics instead of individuals, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry stands out in children’s literature as a book that will withstand the test of time. 

This story would withstand the test of time because of it’s unique writing style, it’s ability to present difficult social issues to a child audience and the theme of family. I would give this book a seven out of ten, because the plot draws in a child audience while also dealing with difficult issues, such as discrimination and racism. I have yet to come across a historical fiction book that also bluntly deals with the, at times shocking, social issues that some may say are not appropriate for children in a way that children will understand what was actually happening at that time, yet this book does so well, standing out among other historical fiction books. The theme of family is also one that children can appreciate and relate to, showing that this book can stand the test of time and will be appreciated and read for years to come. 

Works Cited

1. Taylor, M. D. (1991). Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. NY, NY: Puffin Books.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond Critique

The Witch of Blackbird Pond Critique

During the time of the Salem witch trials in New England, a young girl name Katherine travels to a Puritan society from Barbados and has no idea what she is getting herself into. Even though she does not completely know what she is getting herself into, Kit has no where else to go and is out of other options. So she takes the ship named the Dolphin to Hartford Connecticut to go and live with her Aunt and Uncle and cousins. The story follows Katherine, or Kit, through her adventures and struggles in her new home. She learns the importance of having a community of loyal friends and family, and grows and matures from a temperamental child to a young woman. I believe that The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare does withstand the test of time because the major theme presented in the book is one that also transcends time and because the book as a whole is especially relatable to an older child audience. The major theme that is presented in the book is the theme of finding and having a community. 

This books takes place in a severely Puritan, small town in Connecticut during the Salem witch trials. This community does not take well to strangers and generally is wary and not accepting to newcomers, as she was rather rudely told by Goodwife Cruff upon arrival;                “Goodwife Cruff halted and glared at Kit… ‘We do not welcome strangers in this town, and you be the kind we like least.’” (Speare, 1958, 29). The community that Kit falls into, however, is not necessarily the same community as that of the Puritans, though she does eventually and in her own way fall into Puritan community. Kit is, at first, an outcast in the society, as is a widow named Hannah Tupper. Eventually the two become close friends along with the Goodwife Cruff’s daughter, Prudence, a sailor named Nat and an assorted collection of cats. What this ragtag community has in common is that they all are different from those in the Puritan society. Hannah is not a Puritan, but a Quaker and is accused to being a witch, which is a dangerous thing to be accused of during this period in history. Nat has also been banished from the town and if far too rebellious for the Puritans and Prudence has not been treated well by her family. They all eventually find each other and become remarkably loyal to each other, shown through Kit risking her life and reputation to save Hannah Tupper (Speare, 1958, 168) and by Nat and Prudence facing the Puritan community to save Kit from being labeled a witch (Speare, 1958, 194). This shows the reader that each person has their own community and that it might not be the same community that every one else is in, and that is okay and will ultimately make you a happier person. It shows that everyone can find a community that they fit into and belong in. 

Finding a community is something that every person, especially young adults, struggle with and this book presents community in an unconventional way. It shows the strict Puritan society, but not necessarily in a negative light. It simply shows the community in a way that makes it clear that Kit would have trouble fitting into it. Though set in their ways, the Puritans do come to eventually accept Kit and her Uncle Matthew even stands up and defends her while she is on trial for being a witch saying “‘How dare you speak the name of a good, God-fearing girl? Any man who slanders one of my family has me to reckon with!’”(Speare, 1958, 166). Though the community accepts her, they accept her for who she is and Kit, being who she it, knows that she belongs in her other community with Prudence and Hannah Tupper and Nat. This sends the message to the reader that though everyone else is a part of the Puritan community, it is okay that Kit is different and has her own community, which is a powerful message for young adults. 

While the Newbery Medal books are supposed to be directed to a child audience, I personally feel like The Witch of Blackbird Pond is directed to an older child audience. The book is written in a very easy cadence and has a good pace, but the vocabulary is definitely directed towards a slightly older audience and will stretch the readers vocabulary as well, which is something that a slightly older audience will appreciate more. Another reason that makes me believe that it is directed towards and older audience is the plot. It is a historical fiction book and it takes place in an unpleasant period in history; the period when witch trials were very common, specifically the late 1600’s. The plot reflects this rough period in time by having the main character and her family and friends go through difficult times, like when her cousins are struck by the fever (Speare, 1958, 160). While younger children can handle difficult material, it can be related to better and potentially appreciated more by a slightly older child audience. The subplot of the intertwining romances is also one that older children would appreciate more than younger children. The character development of Kit especially also shows how this book is directed towards an older audience. In the beginning she is impulsive and jumps into a river to save a doll without a second thought as to how that would make her look and she is “forever doing foolish things” (Speare, 1958, 16). Then towards the end of the book Kit says that “A month ago her temper would have flared” (Speare, 1958, 206) while she was talking to William Ashby. This shows how she has matured greatly into a young adult and is no longer an impulsive child, which is something that is also relatable to a slightly older child audience. I feel that since the book is directed towards the older audience of children, it stands out and is unique among children’s literature. 

Overall, I would give this book a 9 out of ten. The way the book was written was very captivating and was clearly directed towards a child audience. The characters were relatable as well and there was clear character development and the plot and setting are ones that children would enjoy. I believe that the theme of community and the way it was presented is what sent this book above and beyond for me, since I have not come across a book that tackles the difficult theme of community as well as this one. The theme and the fact that this book could be especially relatable to a slightly older child audience are what make this book a Newbery Medal that withstands the test of time. 

Works Cited

1. Speare, E. G. (1958). The Witch of Blackbird Pond. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.