Reflections

Someone once told me that in reading great stories we can better understand ourselves. Now that we are finished with the book, what did you think of this story? Did you like it? Why or why not? What, if anything, did you learn about yourself from this novel.

The Fate of T.J.

As the story ends we do not know the fate of T.J. What do you think may have eventually happened to him? Why?

Small acts of personal courage

The documentary "Eyes on the Prize" says that the American Civil Rights Movement began with, "small acts of personal courage." Pick a moment from Roll of Thunder in which one of the characters demonstrates an act of courage. What happened? Why were their actions courageous?

Mary Logan Loses Her Job

After a visit to her classroom by several members of the school board, the Logan children's mother Mary loses her teaching job. Why do you think she was fired?

Uncle Hammer lays down the law.

When Stacey admits that he gave his new coat to TJ, Uncle Hammer gave him a tongue-lashing. One of the things he tells Stacey is, "You care what a lot of useless people say 'bout you you'll never get anywhere, 'cause there's a lotta folks don't want you to make it."
What does Hammer mean by this?
Have you ever found yourself being too worried about what other people say and think about you? What can you learn from Stacey's experience?

True Friends?

Have you ever had a friend like T.J.? Someone who seemed to be friendly but managed to get you to do something that you knew was wrong. Without using names, tell us about a time when someone convinced you to do something you knew you shouldn't do. Did you learn anything from this experience?

Sweet Revenge

What do you think the author, Mildred Taylor, meant when she wrote, "Oh how sweet is well-maneuvered revenge!" after the Logan children successfully trapped the Jefferson Davis school bus in the mud-filled gullies? Do you think the Logan children were justified in doing what they did?