In the spring of 1877, Sound of Running Feet sees white people panning gold in the little creek that feeds the Wallowa River. When she brings word to her father, Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, he tells her that more are on the way. "We are few and they are many. They will devour us." So begins this account of the tragic defeat of the Nez Perce. Desperately trying to evade the American soldiers who have been sent to force them onto a reservation, the Nez Perce flee toward Canada. For months they stand off attacks along the way, fighting with reckless courage and winning every battle but the last one. Through the eyes of the chief's daughter, a brave and independent young girl, the reader shares every twist in this class tale of cruelty, heroism, and betrayal.

From the reviews:

"The dramatic story is beautifully told ... poignant and powerful."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

"...the authors offer a fascinating look at the heroism of ordinary people ... A fitting end to a distinguished career."

Kirkus Reviews

"In typical O'Dell fashion, the novel serves up a generous helping of historic fact and general information about the Ne-mee-poo and their way of life."

Publishers Weekly

" ... the choice of narrator is inspired."

ALA Booklist (starred review)

"... an admirable final addition to O'Dell's legacy of powerful novels."

School Library Journal

"... the spare, unselfconscious language of this book gives it tremendous power. ... It grows .... to assume the stature of classic legend and the scale of Greek tragedy or the Exodus story. Not to be missed."

American Bookseller

Thunder Rolling in the Mountain's awards:

Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies (National Council for Social Studies and Children's Book Council). 1992
South Carolina Junior Book Award Nominee. 1994/95
Editor's Choice, Trumpet Book Club