What books are similar to Counting to Tar Beach?

The 10 closest matches to Counting to Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold on ReadingList include The Middle Passage, Beautiful Blackbird, Big, C.L.O.U.D.S., and Heart and Soul. Each is scored on shared themes, shared award lists, genre, and reading level (grades K–5), and links to the curricula, states, and grades where it is assigned in US schools, with primary sources.

Are books like Counting to Tar Beach reading-level appropriate?

Yes — every match is a reading-level match, not just a topical one, scored on Lexile and grade band (grades K–5), so the picks stay grade-appropriate. See how ReadingList judges text difficulty on the /standard methodology page.

How does ReadingList choose similar books?

Matches are ranked by shared themes, shared award and reading-program lists (two books picked for the same state award were chosen by the same committees for the same readers), same genre, comparable Lexile and grade band, and publication decade — computed from cited public curriculum data, not editorial opinion or AI-generated summaries.

Books like Counting to Tar Beach

If you liked Counting to Tar Beach, read The Middle Passage, Beautiful Blackbird, or Big — the closest matches in our database, matched on shared award lists and reading level.

Looking for books like Counting to Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold (Picture Book · grades K–5)? The 10 titles below are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, shared award lists, genre, and reading level, and each linked to the curricula, states, and grades where it’s assigned, with primary sources.

These are reading-level matches, not just topical ones — so the picks stay grade-appropriate for a grades K–5 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

Reading the whole similar-books list? Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.

Listen free on Audiblestarts instantly

New members only · many assigned titles are included with the membership. As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.

Try it on audio — free. Kids who struggle with the print versions often finish the assigned books by listening.

Listen free on Audiblestarts instantly

New members only · many assigned titles are included with the membership. As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.

Why each is a match

Amazon links below are affiliate links — as an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

The Middle Passagegrades K–5: Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5). Amazon → books like this →
Beautiful Blackbirdgrades K–5: Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5). Amazon → books like this →
Biggrades K–5: Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5). Amazon → books like this →
C.L.O.U.D.S.grades K–5: Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5). Amazon → books like this →
Heart and Soulgrades K–5: Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5). Amazon → books like this →
I'm Going to Sing, Black American Spirituals, Volume Twogrades K–5: Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5). Amazon → books like this →
It's a Sign!grades K–5: Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5). Amazon → books like this →
Last Stop on Market Street610L: Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–3). Amazon → books like this →
Let it Shinegrades K–5: Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5). Amazon → books like this →
Nelson Mandelagrades K–5: Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5). Amazon → books like this →

Books like Counting to Tar Beach for younger readers (K–2)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps K–2— same scoring, different audience.

Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5).
Rap a Tap Tap by Leo Dillon · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5).
The Bell Rang by James E. Ransome · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5).
Uptown by Bryan Collier · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5).
Victory. Stand! by Tommie Smith · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5).

Books like Counting to Tar Beach for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 3–5— same scoring, different audience.

Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5).
Rap a Tap Tap by Leo Dillon · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5).
The Bell Rang by James E. Ransome · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5).
Uptown by Bryan Collier · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5).
Victory. Stand! by Tommie Smith · grades K–5 — Both on the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award list, same genre (Picture Book), and overlapping grades (K–5).

Books like Counting to Tar Beach for middle school (grades 6–8)

Closest matches whose grade range overlaps 6–8— same scoring, different audience.

A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen by Erin Frankel · grades 3–6 — Same genre (Picture Book) and overlapping grades (3–6).
Ernö Rubik and His Magic Cube by Kerry Aradhya · grades 3–6 — Same genre (Picture Book) and overlapping grades (3–6).
Locomotive by Brian Floca · grades 2–6 — Same genre (Picture Book) and overlapping grades (2–6).
Pedro's Yo-Yos: How a Filipino Immigrant Came to America and Changed the World of Toys by Rob Peñas · grades 3–6 — Same genre (Picture Book) and overlapping grades (3–6).
The Girl Who Figured It Out by Minda Dentler · grades 3–6 — Same genre (Picture Book) and overlapping grades (3–6).

Book data last updated 2026-07-07. Matches are computed from each book’s cited attributes — see the methodology.

← Back to Counting to Tar Beach

Books like Counting to Tar Beach

10 books similar to Counting to Tar Beach

Why each is a match

Books like Counting to Tar Beach for younger readers (K–2)

Books like Counting to Tar Beach for elementary readers (grades 3–5)

Books like Counting to Tar Beach for middle school (grades 6–8)

Browse by another angle