Tar Beach Detailed Summary Summary

  • Cassie remembers flying above George Washington Bridge. You know, in the sky. As you do.
  • At what point in her life is she remembering this? Unclear.
  • From the sky, Cassie Lightfoot can see the rooftop where her family's hanging out. There's Mommy, Daddy, and Be Be, her little bro.
  • Also there: Mr. and Mrs. Honey. Hey guys.
  • Cassie calls her rooftop Tar Beach. You know, cause it's black. Also, it's nighttime.
  • A sunless beach? Is Cassie…goth? Her cute colorful dress and hair bows are not giving off goth vibes, though.
  • Tar Beach is a super special place for Cassie. She loves looking out at the skyscrapers and pretending like she owns them.
  • She also owns the George Washington Bridge, apparently. This kid is richer than Jay-Z.
  • Cassie tells us she was born in 1931. Good to know.
  • Her dad helped build the George Washington Bridge, which opened in 1931. Also good to know.
  • Did we mention Cassie loves the bridge? Cause she really loves this bridge.
  • A couple more fun facts about Cassie: she's eight years old and in the third grade.
  • Her dad is a construction worker. He's really great at his job. He helped build the George Washington Bridge, after all.
  • Even though he's employee of the month, Daddy can't join the union. They say it's because his father wasn't a member.
  • Cassie decides she's going to "buy" the building by flying over it. Then she can give it to her dad. Cass, that's not how money works.
  • Cassie has at least three good reasons she wants to give her dad the building. One: he'll have a job. Two: He'll come home. Three: Mommy will stop crying.
  • Oh yeah, looks like Daddy left home. For good.
  • Cassie very reasonably decides she wants to have ice cream for dinner every night, so she flies over the ice cream factory. We like the way she thinks.
  • In the evening, Cassie and her family are going to Tar Beach. Mr. and Mrs. Honey are coming, too.
  • Wait, is Daddy really back? Probably not. This night at Tar Beach might be in Cassie's imagination.
  • When the stars come out, Cassie's going to fly to the union building. She's going to take her little bro, so he doesn't tell on her.
  • Cassie tells Be Be that anyone can fly.