Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a serious, sad, and sometimes frightening story that deals with realities in American history that are both painful and embarrassing. Reading this story with children might make them feel uncomfortable at times, and as the teacher, this is something you'll need to consider.

Your students should feel when they read this book, and to this end, they should also feel that your classroom is a safe place to ask questions and express their feelings. Why? Because the story, though fictional, is based on things that happened, steeped in an era that is an integral part of both our past and present. It's crucial that we teach children about this so they can not only develop an understanding of how racism and segregation came to be, but ensure that similar actions and attitudes do not recur.