Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

A Newberry Award winner, published back in 1976. A black family struggles to hold on to its land and stay together during the depression in Mississippi, in the face of white bigotry, prejudice, and racism.

This is an important book in the literature for young adults, and it deals with some difficult topics while teaching through example. I have to highly recommend it for those reasons.

But from a writer's viewpoint, it does have some problems. The ending seems unnecessarily abrupt, in that the denouement seems to be missing. I suppose there is a sequel. Also, the author relies heavily on adverb laden speech tags. Here's a list I compiled from just a few pages:

• replied grimly


• said absently


• questioned suspiciously


• described all-knowingly


• said morosely


• continued amiably

And so forth. Very out of fashion now, but not so objectionable once you get used to her style. Not something I would suggest a modern writer emulate!