ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY

Mildred Taylor's Newbery Award-winning book is the bittersweet and beautifully written story of the Logans, a poor black family struggling through poverty and racism in Depression-era Mississippi. Through the eyes of Cassie, the feisty only daughter, we come to admire the dignity, courage, and resourcefulness of this close-knit family. Lynne Thigpen is the ideal choice for this book. Having read the book and listened to the audio, I have to say I got the keenest pleasure from listening. Thigpen gives a keenly felt portrayal of each character, capturing the nuances and inflections in the voices of people driven nearly to despair, as well as tender moments of compassion between parent and child. There is an especially poignant moment when the children witness a near lynching that she handles with wonderful aplomb. Listening to her eloquent reading brings an already powerful story vividly to life in a performance you'll find hard to shut off and sorry to see end. D.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 02]