"Sounder" is a powerful novel written by William H. Armstrong and published in 1969. The story is set in the segregated South during the Great Depression and follows the struggles of an African American sharecropper family. The central character is a loyal dog named Sounder, who is named after the family's favorite hunting dog.

Sounder symbolizes loyalty, strength, and resilience. The novel explores themes of poverty, racism, family bonds, and the power of education. Despite facing numerous challenges and injustices, the family in "Sounder" remains determined to overcome adversity and find hope for a better future.

"Sounder" has become a classic in Black literature and is often studied in schools for its poignant portrayal of African American life during a difficult period in American history. The novel has also been adapted into a film and has received critical acclaim for its portrayal of the human spirit in the face of adversity.