Silent Thunder [Paperback]

Andrea Pinkney (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 3 and up

THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. In 1862, eleven-year-old Summer and her 13-year-old brother Rosco take turns describing how life on the quiet Virginia plantation where they are slaves is affected by the Civil War.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Children's fiction about slavery typically involves young protagonists struggling with injustice, yearning to read and risking their lives for freedom; Pinkney reinvigorates this familiar framework by infusing her work with a more personal, equally hard-hitting theme. The "silent thunder" of the title refers to the urgent need for enslaved children (and adults) to suppress their own desires and thoughts. As an adult slave warns 11-year-old Summer, "Anything that makes you feel good has gotta stay cooped up, like a toad wriggling inside a croaker sack, else it can be taken away." Yet Summer is practically bursting to chat about everything, wondering who her daddy is, why her mother is so moody, why she has to beat rugs, why she can't have a china-head doll. Her older brother, Rosco, the "body servant" of young Master Lowell, has learned to read from eavesdropping on Lowell's lessons; he teaches Summer to read, too, and when she can't keep this dangerous accomplishment to herself, he makes her a doll in whom she can safely confide. Rosco, meanwhile, grapples with his own secrets, namely his knowledge of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. While Pinkney bows to a few stereotypes, generally her portraits are unusually well nuanced. As Summer and Rosco alternate as narrators, their feelings flow off the page to envelop the reader. Ages 9-12. (Sept.) FYI: Pinkney, the author of Raven in a Dove House; Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra; and several other works for children, heads the Jump at the Sun imprint.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-9-Set in 1862 in Virginia, the narrators enhance the poignancy of this story by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Hyperion, 1999) about two siblings, Summer and Roscoe, who are slaves on the Parnell Plantation. Roscoe, age 13, has learned to read while accompanying the master's son to his lessons. He teaches Summer, 11, her first letter by pointing out to her that the scar on her body is really the letter P, the master's brand. Andrea J. Johnson captures Summer's innocence and excitement about this new power and passion in her life, as well as the wisdom of Thea, the slave who can predict the future, and Mama's anger at what she considers her children's willfulness. Peter Jay Fernandez narrates Roscoe's dreams of freedom and also anxiety, as well as the grandeur of Dr. Bates' abolitionist speech on New Year's Eve, and Clem's desperation to gain his freedom. The arrogance of the "benevolent" masters and the indignity as well as forbearance and anger of the slaves are clearly presented in these voice. At times Summer sounds much older than her 11 years. Bits and pieces of the story are not always realized as fully as they could be; the hateful brother-in-law of Mrs. Parnell who comes to run the plantation leaves before he has even been fully introduced, and the ramifications of Dr. Bates' highly controversial speech are never included. Still, the story is engaging, and listeners feel as if they are sharing in the trials and tribulations as well as the triumphs of Roscoe and Summer. This historical novel helps students understand this period in history.-Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Washington,DC

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Jump At The Sun (June 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786815698
• ISBN-13: 978-0786815692
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,137,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A novel about slavery during the Civil War, September 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: SILENT THUNDER A Civil War Story (Hardcover)

A beautifully written book which is flawed by poor fact checking. Written in diary form, the diary entries are dated 1862 and mention battles (Vicksburg,1863, for instance) that did not happen until after the Emancipation Proclamation, which is the final scene in the book. Everything about the story is engaging. The characters are complex and the setting is beautifully described. But the chronology of the war is totally skewed. I am surprised that an award-winning writer and a large publishing house like Hyperion would not have caught such glaring factual errors. There is a wonderful bibliography at the end; unfortunately no civil war history sources are cited.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Silent Thunder , A review by Lisa C., February 22, 2005

By 

Lissa "Lisa" (Delaware) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silent Thunder: A Civil War Story (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

This book tells of an exciting adventure about a 12-year-old slave, Summer, and her 13-year-old brother, Roscoe. They find out from a wise old slave named Thea, that everyone has a "silent thunder." Summer wants to learn how to read,which is forbidden, but Roscoe is still teaching her. Roscoe, along with his friend Clem, wants to run off to war. When their slave master becomes sick, they all have to come together to keep everything running. Then, when Missy Claire, the slave master's wife, has her brother come, Roscoe and Clem run away. The women are at a party, serving, and they don't find out until later. This book tells of an exciting adventure, even though I thought some parts moved along slow.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book I couldn't put down, June 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Silent Thunder (Paperback)

Searching for a book in my school's library. I did what anyone kid would do randomly picked a book of the shelf. It wasn't like what I thought it would be. I felt like I was in the book. I love how Andrea Davis portrays the characters, it really does make them seem real. The author really did her job on researching the facts for this book. She gave the characters such vivid description I felt like I knew them. It was creatively written. It was definetely a book I couldn't put down!