Tar Beach

Book: Tar Beach

Author: Faith Ringgold

Brief Introduction:

       In this book, there have 6 characters: Daddy, Mommy, Mr. & Mrs. Honey, Be Be and Cassie.

Cassie wanna go wherever she wants, one night the dream come true on their roof, she is flying upon the city, and see the George Washington  Bridge, the union building, the ice cream factory. All of the building she see are what she wants, but she is not a greedy girl, she just want her family become wealthier, that her mom will not cry, can sleep a little late like Mrs. Honey, her dad can find a stable job, they can have dessert after dinner.

Setting:

- Narrative Point of View: First-Person Narrator (Cassie)

- Plot: flashback (At the first page, she mention on that she cannot forget the day she flied upon the George Washington Bridge, and there have stars around her. Then she began to say why she is flying, how, and when.)

- Conflict: Protagonist against Society (In this book, there mention on that the labor union, but her dad cannot be a member of  union, she said it is because grandpa is not a member of it, in fact, it is because they are African Americans. It is a kind of racial problem, caused her dad cannot find a stable job, or maybe not enough pay. )

- Theme: "Do not have different racial identify, and hope the government can pay attention on this kind of problem and improve it."

- Style: Exposition and Dialogue (picture)

- Tone: Sentimentalism (After read this book, I feel sad for the Cassie. She is always stand in her parents' shoes, understanding the situation of them, and wants to improve it. However, the real situation can't change. How can a kind girl limited by the racial problem? )

Reflection:

       After reading this book, I feel so proud also sad for the Cassie, she is so strong, and imitate. From the beginning of the  story to the end, she never said one thing about "me" but "Mommy" "Daddy" and "Be-Be." She stand in other's shoes, never ask her parents for something she want, and she also takes a great care of her brother, what a good child. How can a nice girl live under the racial problem in America? (The Africa American and Native American cannot be a member of union, so her father's job is not stable, and maybe the pay is not enough.) This book teaches children that in this world, there have different races of people, sometimes their treatment is a little different from them, and they need to treasure what they own, do best to treat others equally. 

       In addition, about this book, first, I like the part which put at the back of front cover, there have a unit which is describes the meaning of union, and put some questions to ask children, make them think and have some reflection, instead of read through it as a simple story.  

What is union..., etc.

       Second, below every page, there have lines which are decorated by colorful quilts. It is the specialty which author enjoy to use, which warms me, feels exotic. 

Colorful quilts

       In conclusion, it teaches children there have other races of people in the world, requires them to treat other different races people equally. They are not poor, but government treats them unequally. Moreover, it teaches children need to stand in other's shoes, do not always ask parents give everything they want, and be kind children like Cassie.