Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

About this book

Nine-year-old Cassie Logan narrates a year on her family's Mississippi farm during the Great Depression, as her family fights to keep their land and their dignity under Jim Crow. Taylor's Newbery-winning novel is a staple of 6th-8th grade American history literature pairings.

Why widely assigned

This Historical Fiction title, reads at young-adult to upper-middle-grade complexity, typically at grades 6–8. Written in the 1970s; pairs with curriculum units on Jim Crow South and family and land; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

• Common Core State Standards (ELA)

  • recommended·7th gradesource: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 6-8 exemplar
  • recommended·7th grade · Georgiasource: Georgia Standards of Excellence grade 7 aligned reading
  • recommended·7th grade · Mississippisource: Mississippi CCR Standards grade 7 aligned text (MS setting)
  • recommended·8th gradesource: Common Core aligned summer-reading list — rising 8th grade

Similar grade-level books

• 
  The Outsiders
  S.E. Hinton · 750L
• 
  The Giver
  Lois Lowry · 760L
• 
  The Diary of a Young Girl
  Anne Frank · 1080L
• 
  To Kill a Mockingbird
  Harper Lee · 870L

See all books like Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry→ — matched on theme + reading level.

Common questions

What grade level is Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 6–8, with a Lexile measure of 920L. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.

What is the Lexile level of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry has a Lexile measure of 920L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.

How long does it take to read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?

It takes about 5h 5m to read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (276 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 305 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

Is Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry hard to read for 6th grade?

At 920L, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry reads below the typical 925–1185L text-complexity range for 6th grade (Common Core Appendix A). It is an accessible read for the grade — often assigned for its themes and discussion value rather than for reading challenge. Lexile measures text complexity, not thematic maturity — check the content notes for age-appropriateness separately.

What curricula assign Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry appears on reading lists for Common Core State Standards (ELA). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.