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Description edit
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... read more
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Summary edit
This book is a very useful read aloud book that could be used in a writer's workshop. I thought it was a great illustration of how special one place can be to a person, even places that seem ordinary to everyone else, something that I'm sure all children can relate to and write about... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)
Characters edit
- Cassie Louise Lightfoot: An 8-year-old girl.
Quotes edit
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“I will always remember when the stars fell down around me.”
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“All you need is somewhere to go you can't get to any other way. The next thing you know, you're flying above the stars.”
Setting & Locations edit
- New York City: The roof tops become the tar beach of the city.
First Sentence edit
I will always remember when the stars fell down around me and lifted me up above the George Washington Bridge.
Series & Lists edit
This book is in The New York Public Library's 100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know. (authoritative list)
This is book 336 of 986 in 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up. (authoritative list)
Preceded by My Friend Percy's Magical Gym Shoes, and followed by The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales.
Authors & Contributors edit
- Faith Ringgold (Author)
- Faith Ringgold (Illustrator)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Crown
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1991
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: Add the page count.
Publisher: Crown
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1991
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: Add the page count.
Awards edit
- Caldecott Honor (1992)
- Coretta Scott King Book Award (1992: Illustrator, Winner)
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