Tar Beach, Faith Ringgold (Compare/Contrast)

Based on a story quilt by the author, Tar Beach looks honestly at the difficulties faced by a young Black girl in New York during the 1930's. Cassie is fond of picnics at "Tar Beach," the rooftop of her apartment building. One night, she imagines that she can fly over the city, laying personal claim to the George Washington Bridge and other structures as she soars above them. She speaks openly about the economic and racial difficulties her father faces; the union won't admit him because his father wasn't a member, with the implication that the real cause may be "whether he's colored or a half-breed Indian, like they say." Poverty, too, is a familial issue, and Cassie plots to find her father a job where he can wear a suit and stay home instead of leaving in the winter to find work. Above all, though, Cassie revels in her flight because it "means I am free to go wherever I want for the rest of my life." The illustrations, by the author, are simple but vivid and lively, and the characters are sympathetic and engaging.

I'm drawn by the honesty of the book--there is no evasion of difficult issues in this narrative--as well as the historical aspect of the book. Cassie is already dealing with the generational outcomes of institutional racism as her father is denied admittance to the union, and this book would be a good place to discuss the cumulative effects of racism. The weight of the themes is balanced by a compelling narrative and interesting characters, though, which will help students remain engaged with the book. Above all, though, I think that the story has important messages about freedom and individuality; Cassie may only overcome the difficulties in her life through fantasies, but her imaginative freedom will resonate with children and may help them think about resistance and antiracism.

I'm primarily planning to use this book as part of a literacy unit on comparing/contrasting stories (in this case, Tar Beach, Abuela, and possibly Wings), but there's so much to the book that I think I will have to discuss the themes and historical context with the children. This book would also be a good vehicle for social studies work on New York or the Depression, but for this class I think I will just give a brief overview of the social situation and then invite the students to share observations and speculate about what living in such a world would be like, before we begin the literacy content.