The Other Side

by Jacqueline Woodson and E.B. Lewis

A fence stretches through the town where Clover, the young African American narrator... read more

A fence stretches through the town where Clover, the young African American narrator of this story, lives. It is the dividing line between the Black and white sides of the community. The young white girl she sees playing every day, rain or shine, on the other side intrigues Clover. Soon she and other girl, Annie, are talking. While neither is allowed to climb over the fence, they sit together on top of it day after day to the surprise of Clover’s friends, who jump rope nearby. Finally, Annie climbs over with Clover to join the jump rope game. Jacqueline Woodson’s hopeful story takes place around the middle of the 20thcentury, but its message carries great weight at the start of the 21st.The fences to be climbed over today may be more symbolic than literal, but children can nonetheless understand the importance of crossing those divides and making connections. E. B. Lewis’s lovely, light-filled illustrations embody the optimism of the story. Winner, CCBC Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Discussion (Ages 5–8)

© Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2002

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