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Thunder Rolling in the Mountains
It is spring of 1877 when fourteen-year-old Sound of Running Feet, daughter of Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, sees white people panning gold in the little creek that feeds the Wallowa River, and brings word of them to her father.
"They are the first, but more are on the way," he says. "We are few and they are many. They will devour us."
It is Sound of Running Feet who narrates the story of her tribe's fate. Readers will be gripped as she shares with us her respect for her father, her love for handsome Swan Necklace, and her destiny.
"They are the first, but more are on the way," he says. "We are few and they are many. They will devour us."
It is Sound of Running Feet who narrates the story of her tribe's fate. Readers will be gripped as she shares with us her respect for her father, her love for handsome Swan Necklace, and her destiny.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
148 people are currently reading
1376 people want to read
About the author
Scott O'Dell
82 books825 followersScott O'Dell was an American author celebrated for his historical fiction, especially novels for young readers. He is best known for Island of the Blue Dolphins, a classic that earned the Newbery Medal and has been translated into many languages and adapted for film. Over his career he wrote more than two dozen novels for young people, as well as works of nonfiction and adult fiction, often drawing on the history and landscapes of California and Mexico. His books, including The King’s Fifth, The Black Pearl, and Sing Down the Moon, earned him multiple Newbery Honors and a wide readership. O'Dell received numerous awards for his contribution to children’s literature, among them the Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Regina Medal. In 1984, he established the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction to encourage outstanding works in the genre.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
November 19, 2020
This was the last novel that Scott O'Dell ever wrote, and he was still editing his manuscript in the hospital when he died.
It's fitting that the author himself was sick and dying as he wrote this. I'm not so sure about the title, Thunder Rolling in the Mountains. That makes the story sound powerful and adventurous. I think a more appropriate one might have been: Death, Death and More Death
This was a long read for my 10-year-old and me, even at only 128 pages. We selected this historical middle grades fiction as our “Idaho” book for our reading project, and the story does not fail to give you a sense of the beauty of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. In fact, the parts of the book when the tribe is on the run from the U.S. Army and the reader is taken through the magical parts of what will later become Yellowstone National Park were a particular thrill for me. Imagine walking by an exploding geyser and standing before those Martian-like structures with no tourists and no restrictions!
Unfortunately, this is also based on the true story of how the U.S. Army hunted down the last of the resisting Native peoples, more specifically the Ne-mee-poo of Idaho (more commonly known to most of us as the Nez Perce).
A lot of the details were difficult to read to my daughter. . . soldiers coming in to Native camps and killing sleeping women, children and the elderly. Really, it's a disgusting story, and there's a lot to be ashamed of here, as human beings.
“Will this hatred ever end? It sickens my heart. All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. Yet we shoot one another down like animals.”
I had a challenging time with Mr. O'Dell's main protagonist, “Sound of Running Feet,” but this is typical for me. I too often find his characters one-dimensional and difficult to get to know or predict. As an historical work for kids, it's well-researched and well-executed, but if you're looking for a character-driven story, you won't find it here.
It's fitting that the author himself was sick and dying as he wrote this. I'm not so sure about the title, Thunder Rolling in the Mountains. That makes the story sound powerful and adventurous. I think a more appropriate one might have been: Death, Death and More Death
This was a long read for my 10-year-old and me, even at only 128 pages. We selected this historical middle grades fiction as our “Idaho” book for our reading project, and the story does not fail to give you a sense of the beauty of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. In fact, the parts of the book when the tribe is on the run from the U.S. Army and the reader is taken through the magical parts of what will later become Yellowstone National Park were a particular thrill for me. Imagine walking by an exploding geyser and standing before those Martian-like structures with no tourists and no restrictions!
Unfortunately, this is also based on the true story of how the U.S. Army hunted down the last of the resisting Native peoples, more specifically the Ne-mee-poo of Idaho (more commonly known to most of us as the Nez Perce).
A lot of the details were difficult to read to my daughter. . . soldiers coming in to Native camps and killing sleeping women, children and the elderly. Really, it's a disgusting story, and there's a lot to be ashamed of here, as human beings.
“Will this hatred ever end? It sickens my heart. All men were made by the same Great Spirit Chief. Yet we shoot one another down like animals.”
I had a challenging time with Mr. O'Dell's main protagonist, “Sound of Running Feet,” but this is typical for me. I too often find his characters one-dimensional and difficult to get to know or predict. As an historical work for kids, it's well-researched and well-executed, but if you're looking for a character-driven story, you won't find it here.
August 25, 2025
Why I chose to read this book:
1. since I've read some Scott O'Dell books in the past, GR friend, Julie (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) recommended this one; and,
2. August 2025 is my "O and P Authors" Month!
Praises:
1. it's a fast-paced story which gives the reader a general idea of the fate of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) Native Americans during the late-1800s;
2. based on the included map, I learned that, from June to October 1877, these people were forced to leave their homeland in northeastern Oregon to live on a reservation in Lapwai, Idaho. Instead, they traveled south, meandering through Idaho and Montana into the northwest corner of Wyoming, and eventually ending up in north-central Montana where they met their final demise with the U.S. Army;
3. I learned that these people called Canada "Old Lady's Country", but it was never explained why within the story. I surmised that the "Old Lady" was in reference to Queen Victoria who was the reigning British monarch when the Dominion of Canada was officially recognized in 1867; and,
4. I liked the familiar reference to Coyote, the legendary trickster of indigenous tales.
Niggles:
1. the MC, Sound-of-Running-Feet, came across as a one-dimensional, angry young woman who often displayed a coldness towards others;
2. the title seems misleading. The story features Sound-of-Running-Feet, daughter of Chief Joseph; however, on p. 15, Chief Joseph tells General Howard of the U.S. Army that he has several names, the main one being Thunder Rolling in the Mountains. It is so fleetingly mentioned, that it's easy to miss; and,
3. although the plight of the Nez Perce is heartbreaking, this story is related much too quickly for the reader to get a true sense of how horrific this forced relocation actually was. Yes, I know, it's written with younger readers in mind, but still, I wasn't moved.
Overall Thoughts:
Scott O'Dell tried completing this story while on his deathbed, but ultimately his wife, Elizabeth Hall had to finish it based on his instructions. Personally, I found that the plight of the Navaho people portrayed in his book Sing Down the Moon to be much more memorable. My favorite O'Dell book; however, is still Island Of The Blue Dophins. I cry buckets whenever I reread it.
1. since I've read some Scott O'Dell books in the past, GR friend, Julie (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) recommended this one; and,
2. August 2025 is my "O and P Authors" Month!
Praises:
1. it's a fast-paced story which gives the reader a general idea of the fate of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) Native Americans during the late-1800s;
2. based on the included map, I learned that, from June to October 1877, these people were forced to leave their homeland in northeastern Oregon to live on a reservation in Lapwai, Idaho. Instead, they traveled south, meandering through Idaho and Montana into the northwest corner of Wyoming, and eventually ending up in north-central Montana where they met their final demise with the U.S. Army;
3. I learned that these people called Canada "Old Lady's Country", but it was never explained why within the story. I surmised that the "Old Lady" was in reference to Queen Victoria who was the reigning British monarch when the Dominion of Canada was officially recognized in 1867; and,
4. I liked the familiar reference to Coyote, the legendary trickster of indigenous tales.
Niggles:
1. the MC, Sound-of-Running-Feet, came across as a one-dimensional, angry young woman who often displayed a coldness towards others;
2. the title seems misleading. The story features Sound-of-Running-Feet, daughter of Chief Joseph; however, on p. 15, Chief Joseph tells General Howard of the U.S. Army that he has several names, the main one being Thunder Rolling in the Mountains. It is so fleetingly mentioned, that it's easy to miss; and,
3. although the plight of the Nez Perce is heartbreaking, this story is related much too quickly for the reader to get a true sense of how horrific this forced relocation actually was. Yes, I know, it's written with younger readers in mind, but still, I wasn't moved.
Overall Thoughts:
Scott O'Dell tried completing this story while on his deathbed, but ultimately his wife, Elizabeth Hall had to finish it based on his instructions. Personally, I found that the plight of the Navaho people portrayed in his book Sing Down the Moon to be much more memorable. My favorite O'Dell book; however, is still Island Of The Blue Dophins. I cry buckets whenever I reread it.
February 6, 2017
Beautifully written. Terribly depressing.
December 31, 2020
This final book by Scott O'Dell is part of my fifth-grader's social studies curriculum that includes the period of westward expansion and the war on the native tribes of what would become U.S. Specifically, it's a fictionalized account of (Nimiipuu) Nez Perce leader Chief Joseph's final flight from the Army rather than submit to the reservation system, as told by his 14-year-old daughter.
I think it's important to state here that I appreciate that the schools are making the effort to include this part of U.S. history. I just wish it was with a better book. The story opens with Army-tribe relations having already deteriorated to the point that the Army is standing over them demanding that they relocate to a nearby reservation RIGHT NOW. There's little in the way of setup or backstory. The action is well written in that you feel the band's weariness and growing desperation as they're pursued across more than 1,000 miles of what will someday be Yellowstone. It's certainly bloody enough and honest that the Army isn't exactly worrying about playing fair in trying to end it, at one point massacring sleeping women and children. We're introduced to a lot of characters, but few of them are really developed enough to be memorable. There's also a bizarre murder-kidnapping sideplot thrown in near the end that I have no idea if there's any historical basis for or not, but it makes little sense with the rest of the story.
What is affecting is the short afterward, which tells us that of those who survived the events of this book, few would survive the following years as the U.S. government callously shuttled them from one place to another far from their homelands.
I think it's important to state here that I appreciate that the schools are making the effort to include this part of U.S. history. I just wish it was with a better book. The story opens with Army-tribe relations having already deteriorated to the point that the Army is standing over them demanding that they relocate to a nearby reservation RIGHT NOW. There's little in the way of setup or backstory. The action is well written in that you feel the band's weariness and growing desperation as they're pursued across more than 1,000 miles of what will someday be Yellowstone. It's certainly bloody enough and honest that the Army isn't exactly worrying about playing fair in trying to end it, at one point massacring sleeping women and children. We're introduced to a lot of characters, but few of them are really developed enough to be memorable. There's also a bizarre murder-kidnapping sideplot thrown in near the end that I have no idea if there's any historical basis for or not, but it makes little sense with the rest of the story.
What is affecting is the short afterward, which tells us that of those who survived the events of this book, few would survive the following years as the U.S. government callously shuttled them from one place to another far from their homelands.
December 27, 2022
I read this with my daughter since she was reading this in class. This was nowhere near the quality of Island of the Blue Dolphins. It lacked the poetic beauty and wasn't nearly as moving. The story was very redundant and unfortunately made the reader become inured to the tragic events the warriors were faced with. I did like the theme the author focuses on and the historical aspects the book features.
December 8, 2014
From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever-Chief Joseph
I read this book after it was assigned to my fifth grader for her reading class. It is a historical fiction account of the Ni-mi-poo (Nez Pierce)being forced from their homelands in Washington State by the US Army as told from the perspective of Chief Joseph's daughter, Sound of Running Feet. The writer used historical documents to sequence the events of the story. There is much information on the culture of the Ni-mi-poo woven into the story. The story is violent, including one very disturbing scene where a pregnant Ni-mi-poo woman is killed. This book may be too upsetting for some young people. I recommend it, but with guidance from a caring teacher/parent.
I read this book after it was assigned to my fifth grader for her reading class. It is a historical fiction account of the Ni-mi-poo (Nez Pierce)being forced from their homelands in Washington State by the US Army as told from the perspective of Chief Joseph's daughter, Sound of Running Feet. The writer used historical documents to sequence the events of the story. There is much information on the culture of the Ni-mi-poo woven into the story. The story is violent, including one very disturbing scene where a pregnant Ni-mi-poo woman is killed. This book may be too upsetting for some young people. I recommend it, but with guidance from a caring teacher/parent.
August 21, 2020
I liked it a lot less than I wanted to. This is a pretty fast-moving book with a ton of characters, locations, and plot points. None of them are terribly well developed, so it all kind of runs together. I anticipate a lot of comprehension issues when I use this with my students.
November 29, 2023
This was the first read aloud in our new curriculum. Nothing like a white man telling the story of the Nez Perce. Or- his white wife finishing it after he died. The kids liked it. They enjoyed using the map to track the route. A few times they asked me if this was real and true, which lead to a conversation about historical fiction. I hope we use it again next year for the sole reason that I have all the stuff and it will be easier. But I also hope we can find a more recently written book by an Indigenous person.
Shout out to Mrs. Sunderman- my 4th grade teacher- who read us “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell. I remember it vividly.
Shout out to Mrs. Sunderman- my 4th grade teacher- who read us “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell. I remember it vividly.
November 16, 2021
This is a depressing book where everyone dies in a horrible bloody way. I didn't get anything out of this book except the reminder that men are naturally evil and everyone in this book just wanted to kill each other. Don't waste your time reading this book.
August 7, 2020
I've read it when I was a young child. A few days ago, I've found it in my library and The nostalgia made me to read this book again.
A beautiful story. Tragic ending.
A beautiful story. Tragic ending.
July 6, 2020
*read for school- wit and wisdom grade 5 module 1*
Tragically eye-opening. Experiencing the removal of the Nez Perce for their lands through the eyes of the chief’s daughter is powerful. This story is filled with violence, death, and, at times, uncomfortable topics. However, it is the perfect book to show the other side of a historical event. Will be a challenging book for my young readers, but with start tough discussions no doubt!
Tragically eye-opening. Experiencing the removal of the Nez Perce for their lands through the eyes of the chief’s daughter is powerful. This story is filled with violence, death, and, at times, uncomfortable topics. However, it is the perfect book to show the other side of a historical event. Will be a challenging book for my young readers, but with start tough discussions no doubt!
November 28, 2022
This was a recommendation from my 5th grader who just read this for school. He loves learning about Native American history, even though it breaks his little heart, because he understands the importance. Told through the eyes of his daughter, Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce travel clandestinely through Wyoming attempting escape from American soldiers. It’s a violent story; a hopeful but brutal read.
November 9, 2020
Read this as part of the Wit and Wisdom curriculum for 5th grade. As a special education teacher I foresee a lot of my kiddos having a hard time with comprehension as we read this. Several characters to track, new vocabulary, figurative language, and a definite need for background knowledge. The topic could be a hit or a miss at this age.
December 7, 2019
My 5th grader was reading this at school, so I thought I'd give it a try too. Such a sad story of the early Native Americans getting massacred and kicked off their land. But it was written well and probably was pretty accurate. It was a quick read and I liked being able to talk with Isaac about it.
December 22, 2023
I read this book for 5th grade. Usually when you read a book for school, you end up not liking it (at least for me). But this was definitely a 5 star. I’ll stop talking so I don’t give spoilers. Give it a try!
April 17, 2015
This book is absolutely wonderful. Of course, that's just because I've always enjoyed books that give you a little bit of knowledge on things you wouldn't normally think about. The plot of this story is similar to most stories about this topic, but the author does a great job of making it unique. There are moments where I found myself cheering for the main character and also moments where I felt a tear roll down my cheek. This is basically an emotional rollercoaster with ups (and mostly) downs. In the end, I think this is a book that everyone should read at least once - but hopefully more.
April 24, 2021
The tragic truth and legacy of Americas amazing native Americans. It is beautifully written leaving you feeling many things at once.
April 12, 2024
White man writes a book about a Native girl? What else could you’ve expected
January 27, 2020
MD read this aloud to me. She gave it 4 stars. She liked the story, but it was pretty sorrowful. This was to be expected as it was based on true events. It was unfortunate that there was such division amongst the tribe on decisions that were made. It would have been nice to know more of Running Feet’s story after she married.
April 3, 2021
This is a great book that creates immense discussion on expansion, how Native Americans were treated, how to handle revenge and treat people you dislike.
November 4, 2022
Yes, I did have students literally tearing up and jumping out of their seats over this story.
August 21, 2024
This is part of our reading curriculum & I needed to read it before teaching it AND WHY DID I CRY. Like this was lowk good and interesting but also very sad
October 27, 2025
Read with the 5th graders. Hope they like as much as I did.
September 4, 2021
A beautiful capture of the tragedy that occurred in the late 1800’s. Loved learning about the Nez Perce Indians, their customs, culture and hearts. Made me despise white settlers and soldiers for ripping them out of their homelands, slaughtering them and introducing deadly diseases. Achingly sad and fills my heart with compassion toward all Native American families.
December 13, 2020
I enjoyed this book and it gives an excellent historical view. The character Sound of Running Feet is a 14 year old Nimipu (Nez Perce) tribe, and who is the narrator. Sound of Running Feet is a very ambitious when it comes to her people and her father Chief Joseph. The US Army starts to move Nimipu tribe away from their homeland. During their journey to relocate, the Nimipu struggles to survive because they encountered so many battles with the Army. With so many of their people dying, Chief Joseph wants to create peace and surrender, but Sound of Running refuses. She eventually escapes to Canada with Swan Necklace.
My students personally loved this book. They were able to make connections as a Dine (Navajo) and the Nimipu Tribe. Their hardship reflected how our ancestors were forced to go on the Long Walk and how the government have broke so many promises. It was so powerful when my student realized our ancestors were living through our veins, and sad when they read the Afterward. This, drove some of my students to be better as an older brother, to attend school everyday, to show respect to their elders and family, and to advocate for themselves in the classroom and at home. "Just like Sound of Running Feet" like one says.
My students personally loved this book. They were able to make connections as a Dine (Navajo) and the Nimipu Tribe. Their hardship reflected how our ancestors were forced to go on the Long Walk and how the government have broke so many promises. It was so powerful when my student realized our ancestors were living through our veins, and sad when they read the Afterward. This, drove some of my students to be better as an older brother, to attend school everyday, to show respect to their elders and family, and to advocate for themselves in the classroom and at home. "Just like Sound of Running Feet" like one says.
March 4, 2021
Young Sound of Running Feet tells the story of her people, the Ne-mee-poo, in this historical fiction novel. The book starts off showing the tribes way of life and leads to them eventually being pushed out of their land by the "Blue Coats" or white men. Constantly on the run the entire tribe pushes toward the Crow tribe. Their journey was filled with heartbreak and despair that at multiple times had me filled with sympathy for the Ne-mee-poo people. This book is great to get an idea of the experiences these people went through back in 1877.
This book would be great for grades four through middle school. It had some dark components, which would have been historically accurate, but may be too much for younger students. This book would be great to read with students during a social studies unit on Native Americans to show another perspective of history. In the Language Arts classroom, this novel could be used to teach linguistics and how to use the terminology of the people you are writing about. This would also be a great resource to teach empathy to students as well as how to look at other's perspectives.
This book would be great for grades four through middle school. It had some dark components, which would have been historically accurate, but may be too much for younger students. This book would be great to read with students during a social studies unit on Native Americans to show another perspective of history. In the Language Arts classroom, this novel could be used to teach linguistics and how to use the terminology of the people you are writing about. This would also be a great resource to teach empathy to students as well as how to look at other's perspectives.
October 31, 2019
Currently reading this book with my 5th graders as part of our Wit and Wisdom program. I read it ages ago when I was a kid on a Scott O'Dell kick, but it was good to reread. The book is incredibly sad and dark--I don't think my students saw it coming--and the fact that it is based on real people and real events makes it that much harder to swallow. There are some times when I feel like the narrator's character goes flat as her life takes a back seat to the greater historical events, but those historical events are momentous enough to sustain interest in the story.
Interesting fact: This book was co-authored by Elizabeth Hall, who was Scott O'Dell's wife. She wrote that it was the book that O'Dell was totally immersed in when he was dying, and she helped him with the research and notes and promised to finish it for him when he couldn't do it himself. It made me read the book with a different appreciation, knowing that it was definitely a passionate project for O'Dell.
Interesting fact: This book was co-authored by Elizabeth Hall, who was Scott O'Dell's wife. She wrote that it was the book that O'Dell was totally immersed in when he was dying, and she helped him with the research and notes and promised to finish it for him when he couldn't do it himself. It made me read the book with a different appreciation, knowing that it was definitely a passionate project for O'Dell.
November 6, 2021
I read this book as part of a novel study for a new curriculum. At first, I totally judged the book by the cover.. I thought, well this doesn’t look interesting to me… I can’t imagine being a kid reading this book.
Fast forward 10 weeks of really diving deep into this book and my kids LOVED it. Even the most reluctant readers couldn’t stop themselves from reading ahead.
This book tells the story of how the Nez Perce were forced off their homeland and their journey to find freedom. To my class it was so much more than that. We studied the characters words and actions to determine what each character values. Then we were able to conclude that differing values, specifically cultural values are the reason for conflicts and that we have the choice to control our own actions.
My kids became so attached to the characters in this story and their journey that they are genuinely upset to move on to our next novel.
Fast forward 10 weeks of really diving deep into this book and my kids LOVED it. Even the most reluctant readers couldn’t stop themselves from reading ahead.
This book tells the story of how the Nez Perce were forced off their homeland and their journey to find freedom. To my class it was so much more than that. We studied the characters words and actions to determine what each character values. Then we were able to conclude that differing values, specifically cultural values are the reason for conflicts and that we have the choice to control our own actions.
My kids became so attached to the characters in this story and their journey that they are genuinely upset to move on to our next novel.
November 28, 2020
I enjoy the insights into Native American traditions scattered throughout the novel. Even though fictional, the author uses historical documents to influence his writing so I know that the traditions described in the book are as accurate as possible a representation of the originals. Also, this is a novel full of sadness, and a reminder of the horrendous way American settlers treated the native people and lands. As the main character endures these hardships and stays determined on her journey, so this book inspires me in my own life to endure.
November 22, 2021
“Thunder Rolling in the Mountains” was one of the final books of Scott O’Dell’s incredible literary career. Finished with the help of his wife, Elizabeth Hall, the book is heartbreaking, anguishing in places, but nonetheless an important book to be read if you really want to understand the history of the United States and the history of the Americas. The language is beautiful, but the content makes the story a difficult read. You will not regret reading it nor will you forget it. I highly recommend this book for everyone to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews