Roll of Thunder Blog

Reflections

2008-02-19T20:58:00.000-08:00

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.

2008-02-14T10:36:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-14T10:26:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-04T05:45:00.000-08:00

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.

2008-01-24T08:37:00.000-08:00

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?

2008-01-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-15T09:45:00.000-08:00

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?

Segregation

2007-12-11T09:10:00.001-08:00

As we have read the first few chapters of the book we have seen a number of instances where white people have things that blacks don't. List as many examples as you can from the story so far where whites have advantages over blacks. Of the things you have mentioned which is the most surprising or shocking to you? Why?

The Burnin's

2007-12-04T14:49:00.000-08:00

On the way to school, T.J. tells the Logans, "I betcha I could give y'all an eaful' bout that burnin' last night."
"Burining? What burning? asked Stacey.
"Man, don't y'all know nothin'? The Berry's burnin'..."
"...Mr. Berry...He's low sick all right-'cause he got burnt n ear to death. Him and his two nephews. And you know who done it?"

Who do you think is responsible for Mr. Berry's savage attack? What do you think is going on in Mississippi at the time that would be responsible for such brutality?

A New Beginning

2007-11-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

The next team SSR book we will read together is Mildred Taylor's classic story Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Based on the title and the picture of the cover of the book to the right, what do you think this story will be about?