Characters
This character is the nine-year-old narrator of the story.
Who is Cassie Logan?
The novel takes place during this historical period.
What is the Great Depression?
The Logan children seek revenge on the school bus by doing this.
What is digging a trench to trap the bus in the mud?
The quote “the bus emitted a tremendous crack and careened drunkenly into our trap” is an example of this literary device.
What is personification?
"Because that’s the way of things, Cassie"—Mama says this to teach Cassie about this reality.
What is racism in the world outside their home?
He is Cassie’s older brother who tries to protect his siblings.
Who is Stacey Logan?
Papa works in this profession to help pay for the Logan family’s land.
What is a railroad worker?
Cassie is forced to apologize to this character in Strawberry.
Who is Lillian Jean Simms?
Little Man’s obsession with keeping clean represents this larger theme.
What is powerlessness in the face of racism?
“Look out there, Cassie girl. All that belongs to you.”—Papa tells Cassie this to teach her the value of what?
What is land ownership?
This troublemaking friend of Stacey's gets him in trouble at school.
Who is T.J. Avery?
The Wallace store is avoided by the Logans for this reason.
What is its owners' racism and violence against Black families?
The Logan children receive old textbooks from Jefferson Davis School that contain this offensive detail.
What is a racial slur labeling Black students as "Negro" or "nigra"?
The Logan family’s land symbolizes this important concept.
What is independence and security?
Uncle Hammer calls World War I “their war” because he feels this way about it.
What is disillusioned (he fought but gained no respect or rights)?
He is a white boy who tries to befriend the Logans despite his family's racism.
Who is Jeremy Simms?
Sharecroppers struggle financially because they must do this at the end of the season.
What is give a portion of their crops to the landowner?
Mama teaches her students about racism by doing this to their books.
What is covering up offensive words and teaching real Black history?
Cassie’s misunderstanding of racism in Strawberry is an example of this literary device.
What is dramatic irony?
The Logans encourage others to boycott the Wallace store despite this challenge.
What is sharecroppers’ dependence on credit from landowners?
This character is a strong protector who comes to live with the Logans.
Who is Mr. Morrison?
The Logan family is unique in their community because they own this.
What is land?
Uncle Hammer expresses his anger by threatening to do this to the Wallace store.
What is burn it down?
The Logan land was originally purchased by this family member.
Who is Paul Edward Logan?
Mildred D. Taylor wrote the novel to present this missing part of American history.
What is the Black experience and resilience during segregation?