1. Running head: BIBLIOTHERAPY LESSON 1 1
Bibliotherapy Lesson 1: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Lisa Gault
CRIN G82 Social and Emotional Development and Guidance of the Gifted Learner
Dr. J. Robbins
July 31, 2016

2. BIBLIOTHERAPY LESSON 1 2
Rationale
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a harrowing, coming-of-age novel about a young girl’s
resilience in the midst of economic depression and racial discrimination. Outspoken and
intelligent, Cassie struggles with her family’s advice to “stay in a child’s place.” Cassie
encounters some dangerous, ignorant members of the prominent families in her small
community: the Simmses; the Wallaces, and the Grangers. As she lives and learns, Cassie copes
with social and economic injustices with guidance from older relatives including Papa, Big Ma,
Mama, and Stacey. As one in a series of Logan family tales, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
addresses several challenges American youth deal with today: institutional racism, self-image,
family relationships, andabove all—perseverance.
Themes/Key Concepts
 Culturally diverse learners
 Perseverance
 Image management
 Family relationships
Possible Introductory Activities
 Read, listen to, and discuss slave song, “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” (printed in the
novel’s epigraph) Audio version: https://youtu.be/tehyE9Yi6_I
 Give small group of students used, raggedy copies of the novel while majority of students
are given new or like new copies. This disparity will represent discrimination in the book
and provide historical context. It also replicates an event that takes place in the novel.
Selected Passage to be Used in Discussion
 “You see that fig tree over yonder, Cassie? Them other trees all around…that oak and
walnut, they’re a lot bigger and they take up more room and give so much shade they
almost overshadow that little ole fig. But that fig’s got roots that run deep, and it belongs
in that yard as much as that oak and walnut…It don’t give up. It give up, it’ll die. There’s
a lesson to be learned from that little tree, Cassie girl, ‘cause we’re like it. We keep doing
what we gotta, and we don’t give up. We can’t.” (Papa to Cassie, Chapter 9)
Menu of Possible Discussion Questions
 Have you ever spoken out against something you considered unfair? Do you appreciate
or regret your decision?
 Was Cassie wise or naïve to speak up to Miss Crocker? Mr. Barnett? Lillian Jean? Why?
 Why is self-image important?

3. BIBLIOTHERAPY LESSON 1 3
 How do racial, gender, and economic stereotypes affect Cassie’s self-image? Does her
self-image change throughout the novel? If so, when does it change?
 Why do Big Ma, Stacey, and other relatives older than Cassie encourage her to stay quiet
and submissive? How might gender roles influence their behavior towards Cassie?
 To what extent is Cassie unique—within her family, school, city, society?
 How is family valued in the novel?
 What lesson(s) does Cassie learn through her own experiences? Which lesson(s) does
Cassie learn from other characters?
 Why must Cassie persevere?
 How might Cassie’s outspoken nature help her and hurt her in the future? How would
children and adults view Cassie’s personality in today’s American society?
Menu of Possible Follow-Up Activities
 Create a list of statements or a collage of pictures that represents negative reactions to
highly intelligent youth who are any combination of the following: students of color;
female; outspoken; LGBT; immigrants; or low-income. Then, create a parallel list
representing the positive opposite of each negative statement or image.
 Research a modern-day, well-known professional who achieved success or notoriety
through outspokenness or advocacy. Create a visual or multimedia comparison of the
well-known professional and Cassie Logan.
 Perform a skit reimagining one to three scenes from the novel in which Cassie faced
man-vs.-man conflicts (Miss Crocker, Mr. Barnett, Lillian Jean) in the 21st
century.
 Draw, paint, or sculpt artwork that represents any of the following: self-image;
perseverance; cultural diversity; or family relationships.
 Write one or more poems about any of the following: self-image; perseverance; cultural
diversity; or family relationships.