Rolling Thunder by Kate Messner - OPTIONAL

Messner, Kate Rolling Thunder, illustrated by Greg Ruth.  PICTURE BOOK.  Scholastic Press, 2017.  $18.

A young boy and his family join their grandfather for the yearly Rolling Thunder ride to remember the fallen from the Vietnam War. 

Messner writes the story in simple rhyming poetry, complimented by Ruth’s luminescent illustrations.  For me, the poetry did not allow me to immerse myself into the story – instead it was so sparse that created a barrier to the context, leaving the illustrations to carry the emotional weight.  For a child, I am not sure that the blurb at the end about the ride is enough to help younger readers connect to the information. 

EL (K-3) – OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher