Tar Beach

Illus. in full color. Ringgold recounts the dream adventure of
eight-year-old Cassie Louise Lightfoot, who flies above her apartment-building
rooftop, the ‘tar beach’ of the title, looking down on 1939 Harlem. Part
autobiographical, part fictional, this allegorical tale sparkles with symbolic
and historical references central to African-American culture. The spectacular
artwork resonates with color and texture. Children will delight in the
universal dream of mastering one’s world by flying over it. A practical and
stunningly beautiful book. –(starred) Horn Book.