Celebration of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Highlights Winter Exhibition Season at Central Library

Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Public Library’s winter exhibition season opens today at Central Library with a celebration of classic young adult novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, featuring new works from artist Kadir Nelson commemorating the book’s 40th anniversary. 

“Brooklyn Public Library is proud to present a winter exhibition season that celebrates Black History Month and calls renewed attention to an American classic,” said BPL President and CEO Linda Johnson.

Mildred D. Taylor’s Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a searing work of young adult fiction revered for its unflinching examination of racism and violence in the Depression-era South. Taylor’s original manuscript and other artifacts are on display in an exhibition curated by renowned historian, critic and children’s book author Leonard S. Marcus.

In addition to the illustrations created for Thunder’s anniversary, the Library will host works from Kadir Nelson’s own books, including Nelson Mandela and Ellington Was Not a Street, among others.

Also on view:

  • Open, and Closed: The Book Art of John Frederick Walker, featuring mixed-media works made from damaged or discarded books.
  • I New York, with artist Noboo Kawaguchi’s silkscreen paeans to the city’s diversity.
  • A Tree Falls in Brooklyn, Eric Pesso’s collection of sculptures hewn from Brooklyn trees.

All five exhibitions will be on view at Central Library through April 24.

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About Brooklyn Public Library

Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: www.bklynlibrary.org.