Mildred D Taylor – Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry – First US Edition 1976

A first edition, first printing published by Dial Press in 1976. Violet cloth. States “First Printing”. There is a bit of sunning about the edges. Foxing to all page edges. Without names or bookplates. The dust jacket has only light wear. No chips or tears. Original price of $7.95 to the front flap. There is a Newbery Award sticker to the lower, front panel. 8vo 8″ – 9″ tall; 276 pages.

Published in 1976 and winner of the Newbury Award, the book is set in Mississippi during the Great Depression era of the 1930s and follows the life of a young African-American girl named Cassie Logan.

The story explores themes of racism, prejudice, and social injustice as experienced by the Logan family and their community. The Logans are a resilient African-American family who own their own land, which sets them apart from many other African Americans in the area. The novel sheds light on the challenges they face due to racial discrimination and the efforts they make to protect their land and preserve their dignity. Throughout the book, Cassie witnesses and confronts various forms of racism, including segregation, inequality in education, and violence. She learns about the injustices perpetrated against African Americans by the white community, and she becomes aware of the importance of standing up for what is right.