Cultural Pluralism in Young Adult Literature—Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Focus Question: What is a world citizen's responsibility to promote and advocate for justice and kindness?
Photo Credit: 9 - Civil Rights Movement by U.S. Embassy The Hague is licensed under CC by 2.0
Students respond to literature and role-play scenarios around discrimination in 1933 Mississippi, through the Newberry winning novel by Mildred Taylor’s Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Students will determine the importance of family and community in socializing children and helping others through hard times. They analyze the effects of discrimination on community capital and self-worth.
Using award winning literature, the learners will describe and analyze bigotry in Mississippi during the Great Depression. They will also define and give examples of community capital in the rural community where the story takes place and explain the importance of family. Learners will recognize the author's techniques that convey meaning and build empathy with readers.