Thunder Rose

Book Review:

Thunder Rose is an American tall tale that takes place in the Old West. Rose is born on a stormy night. "Hailing rain, flashing lightning, and booming thunder pounded the door, inviting themselves in for the blessed event." Right away, her parents knew that Rose was special; she sat right up, took hold of the lightning outside, and set it on her shoulder. Within just minutes of her birth, Rose was talking and even asked to be named Rose. As Rose sleeps the first night in her home, she snores as loud as the thunder outside her room, and her parents know she has "the power of thunder and lightning coursing through her veins." That first night, Rose is given the nickname Thunder Rose.

Rose's power gives her the ability to perform amazing tasks. For example, as a newborn, Rose could lift a cow and drink it dry. At two years old, Rose constructed her own thunderbolt from scrap iron. By five, Rose could build fences. As Rose grew her strength was increased and she was able to do many impressive jobs around her family farm. When Rose was a little older, she halted a stampede of bulls and eventually wrestled a desert tornado. This is what made her the great African-American heroine of the West.

Kadir Nelson received a Correta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award for Thunder Rose. The illustrations beautifully depict the story of the heroine of the West and add support for understanding the setting and plot. Nelson's colorful and detailed illustrations add much enjoyment to the story.

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