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TITLE: TAR BEACH

AUTHOR: FAITH RINGGOLD

ILLUSTRATOR: FAITH RINGGOLD

DESCRIPTION: A young girl dreams of making a better life for her family from her view on the rooftop of her apartment building by flying above all the obstacles that get in her way.

WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Faith Ringgold’s unique style of storytelling through her painted quilts is a visual experience to be savored. This skill in quilting handed down through generations of her family creates a splendid canvas for the childhood memories she deftly weaves into this remarkable tale. The discrimination faced by Cassie’s father despite his unparalled skills in skyscraper construction provides a platform to expose young readers to the difficult challenges faced by people of color through the years. The spirited dialogue reflecting Cassie’s refusal to be marginalized is inspirational and indicative of the mindset needed to fight through adversity and achieve life goals in spite of the obstacles that must be overcome. The fact that the voice being heard is that of a child makes this story even more profound. Teachable moments abound from learning about featured landmarks, to the power of unions to deny good paying jobs to deserving men simply on the basis of ethnicity. You’ll find yourself cheering for this young girl who defies the odds and dares anyone to try and clip her wings. This story soars with delight and so will you!
PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7 | PART 8 | PART 9 | PART 10 | PART 11 | PART 12 | PART 13 | PART 14 | PART 15 | PART 16