Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Summary of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Nine-year-old Cassie Logan heads to the first day of school with her brothers, twelve-year-old Stacey, seven-year-old Christopher-John, and six-year-old Little Man. It is October of 1933, and they, with their Papa, Mama, and grandmother Big Ma, are a black family living in rural Mississippi. The family owns four hundred acres of land, half of which is mortgaged, and Papa must work half the year on the railroad far …

…the woods. Cassie realizes that the fire didn't start from lightening, like everyone thinks, but that it was set by Papa. Papa and Mr. Morrison arrive home and Papa tells Stacey and Cassie that TJ is with the sheriff and will probably be put on the chain gang where he could die. Stacey bursts into tears and runs off. Papa follows after putting Cassie to bed. In bed, Cassie cries for TJ and the land.