Characters
This nine-year-old narrator of the story is strong-willed and learns about the injustices of racism in Mississippi.
Who is Cassie Logan?
On the first day of school, this Little John gets upset because of this reason
What is the poor condition of the "new" textbooks?
This term refers to the enforced separation of people based on race, as seen in schools, buses, and public facilities during the Jim Crow era.
What is racial segregation?
The setting of the story, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
What is the deep south Missisippi in the 1930s?
This elder Logan sibling is mature and responsible, often looking out for his younger siblings.
Who is Stacey Logan?
The Logan children sabotage the Jefferson Davis school bus by doing this to the road.
What is digging a trench?
Based on the context clues, what does indignant mean?
When Little Man saw the condition of the books, he became indignant, showing that he was this about the unfairness.
What is angry or unfairness?
Papa went to work on the railroad for this reason.
Papa had to go work on the railroad to make money to pay the mortgage.
This youngest Logan sibling is often barefoot, clean, and carries an infectious smile.
Who is Little Man?
In Chapter 1, this event marks the beginning of the Logan children's understanding of the harsh realities of racism when they encounter a racist incident on their way to school.
What is the Jefferson Davis school bus?
What is the interaction with the white children on the school bus?
This system of farming involved tenants working land owned by someone else in exchange for a share of the crops.
What is sharecropping?
Based on the text, you can infer that this is the reason Papa decided to hire Mr. Morrison to stay on the Logan farm.
By bringing in Mr. Morrison, who is described as a large, strong, and imposing man, Papa is taking a proactive step to protect his family from external threats while he is away working on the railroad. This decision also demonstrates Papa's foresight, responsibility, and determination to shield his loved ones from harm in a hostile environment.
Answers I will take:
- to protect his family and keep them safe
- to help the family's land
This smooth-talking friend of Stacey Logan often gets into trouble and tries to avoid responsibility for his actions.
Who is TJ Avery?
In Chapter 2, Mama reprimands this character for trying to impress others by cheating on a test, which highlights the character’s desire for acceptance.
What is TJ avery?
These laws enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States and deprived Black citizens of equal rights.
What are Jim Crow Laws?
Papa tells his family that they can no longer shop at the Wallace store based on this reason.
Papa tells his family that they can no longer shop at the Wallace store because the store is owned by the Wallace family, who are known for their involvement in racial violence and mistreatment of Black people. Specifically, the Wallaces are implicated in the burning of the Berry family, and Papa does not want his family to support or patronize a business associated with such cruelty and hatred.
Acceptable answers:
- the store owners are known for racial violence and unfair treatment of back people
This teacher at Great Faith Elementary and Secondary School is both mother to the Logan children and a firm disciplinarian.
Who is Mama Logan?
In Chapter 2, after the incident with the bus, Mama shares a story with her children about this historical event to teach them about the importance of standing up for justice.
What is the Berry family?
This word means "to punish someone for their actions," as seen when Mama tries to teach the children about justice.
What is reprimand?
In a conversation with Miss Crocker, Mama expresses frustration about the poor condition of the textbooks and the racist nature of the educational system. Miss Crocker, however, defends the system, showing a more accepting attitude. This conversation highlights their differing views on the racist and inadequate education in the South.
What does Mama believe? What does Miss Crocker believe?
What is Mama believes in standing up for equality and justice, while Miss Crocker is more submissive and accepting of the racist system?