Both 11-year-old Summer and her older brother Roscoe have a "silent thunder" roaring through their souls. Summer yearns to learn letters, so she can read. Roscoe wants to join the Union forces and fight in the Civil War. But they are slaves in Virginia, and their wishes are forbidden. Their friend Thea says that silent thunder is something slaves have to keep private, but Summer and Roscoe can't resist their feelings. Before 1862 comes to a close, they both find unexpected allies who help them act on their desires. Now they must make difficult, painful decisions that will forever change their lives. Award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney tells this moving tale from the perspective of both Summer and Roscoe. With the poignant narration of Andrea J. Johnson and Peter Jay Fernandez, the glory of the human spirit shines through-even in the face of the most degrading circumstances.
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"I loved how it wasn't too much civil warish. Has good characters and i like how it switches between 2 characters as a new chapter begins. it gives u a different angle and look at the story. "
— Katie (4 out of 5 stars)
" Silent thunder was'nt a really good book. It was more of a diary and it switched back and forth to many times. "
— 10-11, 5/19/2013" Rich story. "
— Jo, 9/2/2012" I absolutely love this book. "
— Destini, 5/27/2011" It was just okay for me, probably because I've read better. It is a children's book, so I appreciate that it was graphic or anything like that. "
— Laurie, 5/11/2010" I didn't like the ending because there weren't enough details on how they escaped. "
— Nate, 2/28/2010" I loved how it wasn't too much civil warish. Has good characters and i like how it switches between 2 characters as a new chapter begins. it gives u a different angle and look at the story. "
— Katie, 10/12/2008Andrea Davis Pinkney, the award-winning author of numerous books for children and young adults, has been recognized by the Coretta Scott King Author Award committee with an honor for Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters and a medal for Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America. She is a four-time nominee for the NAACP Image Award. In addition to her work as an author, she is a publishing executive. She has been named one of the “25 Most Influential Black Women in Business” by the Network Journal and is among Children’s Health magazine’s “25 Most Influential People in Our Children's Lives.”
Andrea Johnson is an actress and audiobook narrator that has played roles opposite Jack Nicholson and Chris Rock.
Peter Jay Fernandez is an accomplished audiobook narrator who has won three AudioFile Earphones Awards and an Audie Award in 2009. He has also appeared on television, film, and stage. His appearances include roles in Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and the musical Thunder Knocking on the Door.