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The Other Side
Clover's mom says it isn't safe to cross the fence that segregates their African-American side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But the two girls strike up a friendship, and get around the grown-ups' rules by sitting on top of the fence together.
With the addition of a brand-new author's note, this special edition celebrates the tenth anniversary of this classic book. As always, Woodson moves readers with her lyrical narrative, and E. B. Lewis's amazing talent shines in his gorgeous watercolor illustrations.
With the addition of a brand-new author's note, this special edition celebrates the tenth anniversary of this classic book. As always, Woodson moves readers with her lyrical narrative, and E. B. Lewis's amazing talent shines in his gorgeous watercolor illustrations.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 15, 2001
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5251 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Woodson
86 books9,115 followersI used to say I’d be a teacher or a lawyer or a hairdresser when I grew up but even as I said these things, I knew what made me happiest was writing.
I wrote on everything and everywhere. I remember my uncle catching me writing my name in graffiti on the side of a building. (It was not pretty for me when my mother found out.) I wrote on paper bags and my shoes and denim binders. I chalked stories across sidewalks and penciled tiny tales in notebook margins. I loved and still love watching words flower into sentences and sentences blossom into stories.
I also told a lot of stories as a child. Not “Once upon a time” stories but basically, outright lies. I loved lying and getting away with it! There was something about telling the lie-story and seeing your friends’ eyes grow wide with wonder. Of course I got in trouble for lying but I didn’t stop until fifth grade.
That year, I wrote a story and my teacher said “This is really good.” Before that I had written a poem about Martin Luther King that was, I guess, so good no one believed I wrote it. After lots of brouhaha, it was believed finally that I had indeed penned the poem which went on to win me a Scrabble game and local acclaim. So by the time the story rolled around and the words “This is really good” came out of the otherwise down-turned lips of my fifth grade teacher, I was well on my way to understanding that a lie on the page was a whole different animal — one that won you prizes and got surly teachers to smile. A lie on the page meant lots of independent time to create your stories and the freedom to sit hunched over the pages of your notebook without people thinking you were strange.
Lots and lots of books later, I am still surprised when I walk into a bookstore and see my name on a book’s binder. Sometimes, when I’m sitting at my desk for long hours and nothing’s coming to me, I remember my fifth grade teacher, the way her eyes lit up when she said “This is really good.” The way, I — the skinny girl in the back of the classroom who was always getting into trouble for talking or missed homework assignments — sat up a little straighter, folded my hands on the desks, smiled and began to believe in me.
I wrote on everything and everywhere. I remember my uncle catching me writing my name in graffiti on the side of a building. (It was not pretty for me when my mother found out.) I wrote on paper bags and my shoes and denim binders. I chalked stories across sidewalks and penciled tiny tales in notebook margins. I loved and still love watching words flower into sentences and sentences blossom into stories.
I also told a lot of stories as a child. Not “Once upon a time” stories but basically, outright lies. I loved lying and getting away with it! There was something about telling the lie-story and seeing your friends’ eyes grow wide with wonder. Of course I got in trouble for lying but I didn’t stop until fifth grade.
That year, I wrote a story and my teacher said “This is really good.” Before that I had written a poem about Martin Luther King that was, I guess, so good no one believed I wrote it. After lots of brouhaha, it was believed finally that I had indeed penned the poem which went on to win me a Scrabble game and local acclaim. So by the time the story rolled around and the words “This is really good” came out of the otherwise down-turned lips of my fifth grade teacher, I was well on my way to understanding that a lie on the page was a whole different animal — one that won you prizes and got surly teachers to smile. A lie on the page meant lots of independent time to create your stories and the freedom to sit hunched over the pages of your notebook without people thinking you were strange.
Lots and lots of books later, I am still surprised when I walk into a bookstore and see my name on a book’s binder. Sometimes, when I’m sitting at my desk for long hours and nothing’s coming to me, I remember my fifth grade teacher, the way her eyes lit up when she said “This is really good.” The way, I — the skinny girl in the back of the classroom who was always getting into trouble for talking or missed homework assignments — sat up a little straighter, folded my hands on the desks, smiled and began to believe in me.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,194 reviews
August 31, 2014
I have been reading many children’s books that deal with prejudice and racism, but out of all the children’s books I had read that dealt with that subject; “The Other Side” which is written by Jacqueline Woodson along with illustrations by E. B. Lewis, is probably one of the most uplifting children’s books that deal with that subject ever!
Clover was a young black girl who always wondered about why her mother refused to let her go on the other side of the fence, where a white family lives at. It was then that Clover meets a young white girl named Annie, who was always seen sitting on the fence and Clover just keeps getting more curious about this young girl. Clover then decides to talk to Annie and…
Wow! This book was simply amazing! I have read many books that deal with the subject of racism and prejudice in a rather straight forward way, but I have never read a children’s book that actually has the main character question about why racism and prejudice should rule the lives of people. Jacqueline Woodson’s writing is extremely beautiful and heartwarming as it details a young girl’s curiosity about why she could not communicate with a young white girl and what kind of hold racism and prejudice has on society as a whole. I loved the way that Jacqueline Woodson really explored Clover’s innocent nature in trying to understand about how racism and prejudice can take its toll on society and how she still tries to have a conversation with Annie, despite her friends and her mother warning her to not talk to Annie because she is white. I really loved the fact that Clover does not show any prejudice against Annie because she is white and it shows that Clover is extremely open to meeting new people no matter what race they are. I also loved how much significance the fence has in this story as it shows how divided the blacks and whites are from each other and the fact that Annie is constantly sitting on the fence shows that even racism and prejudice cannot overcome the friendship between two people. E. B. Lewis’ artwork is drawn beautifully as the characters look so realistic and they really brought out the realism in the situation about racism and prejudice in society. I also loved the way that E. B. Lewis drew the countryside as it looks truly beautiful and it really captures the beauty of this story.
My only problem with this book was that Clover’s friends do not seem to care about Annie even towards the end. I would have liked to see Clover’s friends develop in this book like Clover and see them actually show some interest in Annie since that would have made their characters just as interesting as Clover’s characters.
Overall, “The Other Side” is a brilliant children’s book that helps show children how racism and prejudice cannot overcome a friendship between two people of different cultures. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since the subject matter might confuse smaller children.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
May 8, 2017
This is a very simple but not one bit simplistic story. This book would be a fine way to introduce the topics of segregation and interpersonal relationships. It’s really lovely and is beautifully and perfectly complemented with its beautiful watercolor illustrations. I love how the children, particularly the two new friends, are described and depicted. I got a laugh out of how the always clever kids get around the adult made rules, and I really appreciate how Clover’s mother, while very protective of her, does not interfere with the budding new friendship her daughter develops. It’s a sweet and quiet and sometimes amusing story, but also incredibly heartbreaking. With such a short picture book, I was impressed by how well I felt I got to know the characters. Great springboard for discussion! I love watercolors and I loved the paintings on each page, just on their own, and they also greatly enhance the story. I did find it an interesting choice that no obvious differences were shown regarding the financial situations of the two girls’ families, not that I noticed.
4 ½ stars
4 ½ stars
February 22, 2009
This book was on my to-read list. On Wednesday, a colleague handed it to me and strongly suggested it. After reading the book, I quickly decided to share it with my class as a read-aloud. My students were completely engrossed in this story. They asked relevant questions which led to a rich discussion.
In The Other Side, a large fence separates Clover and her family from white people on the other side of town. Clover doesn't understand why there needs to be a fence. Her mother warns, "Don't climb over that fence when you play." She tells Clover it isn't safe. A white girl, named Annie looks over the fence at Clover. One day, they decide to sit on the fence together, since their parents never said anything about sitting on the fence. Eventually, Clover's friends join the two new friends and Annie says, "Someday somebody's going to come along and knock this old fence down."
This beautifully written story has political and social implications. I believe this book is an excellent choice for any grade level. Older students can discuss the symbolism of the fence. It can be compared with other physical structures that have been torn down like the Berlin Wall. Students may study segregation after reading this book. Younger students find The Other Side to be an excellent read-aloud. Young children are concerned about what is fair and what is not fail. My students were appalled that these two girls couldn't play together at the beginning of the book.
The Other Side was an American Library Notable Book Award (ALAN) winner and a Notable Social Studies Trade Books Award (NSSTB) winner in 2002. The Other Side is a literary contribution that enhances our ability to teach students. Woodson's ability to write about a such a complex topic in a simple way that children can understand is remarkable. The illustrations by E. B. Lewis depict the feelings of the girls as they find their way to the other side of the fence.
In The Other Side, a large fence separates Clover and her family from white people on the other side of town. Clover doesn't understand why there needs to be a fence. Her mother warns, "Don't climb over that fence when you play." She tells Clover it isn't safe. A white girl, named Annie looks over the fence at Clover. One day, they decide to sit on the fence together, since their parents never said anything about sitting on the fence. Eventually, Clover's friends join the two new friends and Annie says, "Someday somebody's going to come along and knock this old fence down."
This beautifully written story has political and social implications. I believe this book is an excellent choice for any grade level. Older students can discuss the symbolism of the fence. It can be compared with other physical structures that have been torn down like the Berlin Wall. Students may study segregation after reading this book. Younger students find The Other Side to be an excellent read-aloud. Young children are concerned about what is fair and what is not fail. My students were appalled that these two girls couldn't play together at the beginning of the book.
The Other Side was an American Library Notable Book Award (ALAN) winner and a Notable Social Studies Trade Books Award (NSSTB) winner in 2002. The Other Side is a literary contribution that enhances our ability to teach students. Woodson's ability to write about a such a complex topic in a simple way that children can understand is remarkable. The illustrations by E. B. Lewis depict the feelings of the girls as they find their way to the other side of the fence.
January 17, 2023
A lovely story about the girls of two families living next door to each other who become friends. One family is black and the other white but to the children this doesn't make any difference.
This story is set in the 1950s. I found this very confusing at first because to me, the clothes the girls are wearing made me think it was set in present day. Knowing it's set in the 1950s makes the story line about the parents thinking the children couldn't mix more plausible.
Read on Open Library.
This story is set in the 1950s. I found this very confusing at first because to me, the clothes the girls are wearing made me think it was set in present day. Knowing it's set in the 1950s makes the story line about the parents thinking the children couldn't mix more plausible.
Read on Open Library.
May 21, 2012
The line dividing the mixing of black and white children is literally a fence put up by their parents to keep them separate. But the children find a way to play together anyway. Outstanding, but also sad.
May 7, 2015
The Other Side
Author: Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrations: E. B. Lewis
Publisher: G. P. Putnan’s Sons, 2001
This is a children’s picture book concerning race relations. The period of the book appears in the 1950s, based on text and illustrations. Accordingly, the book is dated and the relevance may not be comprehended by many of today’s children. Nevertheless, the book has a potent message that has been brilliantly conveyed by the author and illustrator.
The setting is a rural area that depicts two houses separated by a fence. In fact, the fence “stretched through,” the town. One summer day Clover, a black girl and Annie a white girl finally met after seeing each other several times. Clover had been warned by her mother, saying “don’t climb over that fence when you play.”
Initially, Clover had seen Annie sitting on the fence each day, however, they only stared at each other. Once while Clover was jumping rope with her friends Annie asked if she could play. One of Clover’s friends, Sandra, said no. Sandra did not ask any of their other playmates for their opinion.
After a while, Clover and Annie started to talk and play together. They realized that they had things in common; liking the outdoors, liking to play, and mothers’ that had warned them about staying on their side of the fence.
Eventually, Annie met Clover’s other playmates and they all played together. Kids often realize that barriers need to be overcome or torn down before adult do.
This book is geared for grades 1 thru 4.
Jacqueline Woodson is also the author of Brown Girl Dreaming.
Author: Jacqueline Woodson, Illustrations: E. B. Lewis
Publisher: G. P. Putnan’s Sons, 2001
This is a children’s picture book concerning race relations. The period of the book appears in the 1950s, based on text and illustrations. Accordingly, the book is dated and the relevance may not be comprehended by many of today’s children. Nevertheless, the book has a potent message that has been brilliantly conveyed by the author and illustrator.
The setting is a rural area that depicts two houses separated by a fence. In fact, the fence “stretched through,” the town. One summer day Clover, a black girl and Annie a white girl finally met after seeing each other several times. Clover had been warned by her mother, saying “don’t climb over that fence when you play.”
Initially, Clover had seen Annie sitting on the fence each day, however, they only stared at each other. Once while Clover was jumping rope with her friends Annie asked if she could play. One of Clover’s friends, Sandra, said no. Sandra did not ask any of their other playmates for their opinion.
After a while, Clover and Annie started to talk and play together. They realized that they had things in common; liking the outdoors, liking to play, and mothers’ that had warned them about staying on their side of the fence.
Eventually, Annie met Clover’s other playmates and they all played together. Kids often realize that barriers need to be overcome or torn down before adult do.
This book is geared for grades 1 thru 4.
Jacqueline Woodson is also the author of Brown Girl Dreaming.
February 25, 2012
Clover, a young African American girl, and Annie, a young Caucasian American girl, live on opposite sides of a large fence. The fence is intended to keep Black and White townspeople segregated from each other. With each passing summer day, Clover becomes curious about the girl on the other side of the fence. Can they become friends? Will they cross onto the other side?
I enjoy stories where unlikely characters interact and develop a friendship. This book could serve as a mild introduction to race relations, segregation, and the steps that would be required in order for the fence (symbol for segregation) to be removed. The illustrations do a nice of job showing the similarities between the two girls instead of focusing on their differences.
I enjoy stories where unlikely characters interact and develop a friendship. This book could serve as a mild introduction to race relations, segregation, and the steps that would be required in order for the fence (symbol for segregation) to be removed. The illustrations do a nice of job showing the similarities between the two girls instead of focusing on their differences.
March 15, 2009
This beautiful story, metaphor, glimpse into the thoughts of young girls living in the country in the 1950s is suitably illustrated in natural water color hues of yellow, blue, green and brown. The natural setting of summer and swings, jump ropes, puddles, clouds and friends playing outside sets the tone for the natural development of friendship between two girls who see each other from a blurry distance, but as the story develops they come closer and into clearer focus.
Like many books for children the cultural rules of the time are incorporated into the text. Play safely inside during rainy days. It isn’t polite to stare. Don’t go over the fence, it isn’t safe. But as children are known to think, going over does not exclude going onto the fence.
Because this story is told from the perspective of a black, small town, girl by Jacqueline Woodson, it is a much stronger statement on developing race relations than it would be if the protagonist was the white girl. Had this story been told from the perspective of the white child, it could sound like a privileged white girl on a crusade. But for me the similarities of childhood thoughts as they come from the black girl, seem more equal. From experience I can say that the questions of racial segregation as posed by Woodson in this quiet summertime tale are authentic. In the 1950s in America, during my childhood, there was a lot of confusion regarding who we could and could not play with. I had questions about why there was a petition to keep Japanese people from buying homes in the south Minneapolis city. I was surprised when Marc said he couldn’t go to the turnabout dance with me because I was Catholic and he was Jewish.
What I really appreciate about this book is the innocent portrayal of the girls as they move towards friendship and how the protagonist “doesn’t care” what the other black girls think about her befriending the white girl. I like that Woodson avoided the white power issue; that she placed no blame on either race; that she had children solving racial issues that adults had created; that the black girl’s mother was portrayed as a wise woman who wanted to keep her child safe, but did not evidence fear of the white girl.
The language of this book is summer sweet with a little hometown dialect like, “I live down yonder,” “My mama says, and “…that girl didn’t”. The repetition of /s/ sounds throughout the text added to the tone of long, stretched out, summer days. The simplicity of the story line puts the reader in a mood that for me was nostalgic. The big font, bold and black in white spaces, sets off the text from the soft impressionistic watercolors and allows the reader time to get into the pictures but read the text separately.
This is a must share read-aloud for middle school students. I often read it while reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
Like many books for children the cultural rules of the time are incorporated into the text. Play safely inside during rainy days. It isn’t polite to stare. Don’t go over the fence, it isn’t safe. But as children are known to think, going over does not exclude going onto the fence.
Because this story is told from the perspective of a black, small town, girl by Jacqueline Woodson, it is a much stronger statement on developing race relations than it would be if the protagonist was the white girl. Had this story been told from the perspective of the white child, it could sound like a privileged white girl on a crusade. But for me the similarities of childhood thoughts as they come from the black girl, seem more equal. From experience I can say that the questions of racial segregation as posed by Woodson in this quiet summertime tale are authentic. In the 1950s in America, during my childhood, there was a lot of confusion regarding who we could and could not play with. I had questions about why there was a petition to keep Japanese people from buying homes in the south Minneapolis city. I was surprised when Marc said he couldn’t go to the turnabout dance with me because I was Catholic and he was Jewish.
What I really appreciate about this book is the innocent portrayal of the girls as they move towards friendship and how the protagonist “doesn’t care” what the other black girls think about her befriending the white girl. I like that Woodson avoided the white power issue; that she placed no blame on either race; that she had children solving racial issues that adults had created; that the black girl’s mother was portrayed as a wise woman who wanted to keep her child safe, but did not evidence fear of the white girl.
The language of this book is summer sweet with a little hometown dialect like, “I live down yonder,” “My mama says, and “…that girl didn’t”. The repetition of /s/ sounds throughout the text added to the tone of long, stretched out, summer days. The simplicity of the story line puts the reader in a mood that for me was nostalgic. The big font, bold and black in white spaces, sets off the text from the soft impressionistic watercolors and allows the reader time to get into the pictures but read the text separately.
This is a must share read-aloud for middle school students. I often read it while reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.
April 3, 2020
Two young girls - one black and one white - observe each other from different sides of a fence in this poignant picture-book exploration of racial segregation, and the tentative steps toward interracial friendship that are taken, despite the barriers (both physical and social) put in the way. Clover, who has been instructed by her mother never to climb over the fence separating the white and black sections of town, observes her white neighbor, Annie, who sits on top of the fence doing some observing of her own, for many days before she finally feels bold enough to introduce herself. What develops is a friendship of sorts - the beginning of a friendship, perhaps? - as Clover and Annie sit on the fence together, and Annie joins in a game of jump-rope with Clover and her (African-American) friends. "Someday somebody's going to come along and knock this old fence down," says Annie, at the end of the book, to which Clover responds: "Yeah. Someday."
A moving story, one that explores the troubling history of racial prejudice in the United States, The Other Side manages to avoid any feeling of didacticism - of storytelling for a purpose - instead focusing on two young children, and presenting a gentle but straightforward portrait of the impact that adult behavior (or misbehavior, in the case of those who enforced segregation) had upon them, and their interactions with the world around them. The scene in which Clover and Annie, each being led along by their mothers, pass each other on the street is particularly revelatory, I think, because it emphasizes how very similar they are, in all the ways that count; while their solution to the prohibition on crossing to the "other side" - a prohibition issued by both mothers - brought a smile to my face. The artwork by E.B. Lewis is simply gorgeous - as I would expect from the artist responsible for titles like Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys and Little Cliff and the Porch People - making excellent use of light and color, and really capturing the emotional resonance of each scene.
This is just a wonderful book - thoughtful, poignant, beautiful, and is highly recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about segregation, and/or interracial friendship.
A moving story, one that explores the troubling history of racial prejudice in the United States, The Other Side manages to avoid any feeling of didacticism - of storytelling for a purpose - instead focusing on two young children, and presenting a gentle but straightforward portrait of the impact that adult behavior (or misbehavior, in the case of those who enforced segregation) had upon them, and their interactions with the world around them. The scene in which Clover and Annie, each being led along by their mothers, pass each other on the street is particularly revelatory, I think, because it emphasizes how very similar they are, in all the ways that count; while their solution to the prohibition on crossing to the "other side" - a prohibition issued by both mothers - brought a smile to my face. The artwork by E.B. Lewis is simply gorgeous - as I would expect from the artist responsible for titles like Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys and Little Cliff and the Porch People - making excellent use of light and color, and really capturing the emotional resonance of each scene.
This is just a wonderful book - thoughtful, poignant, beautiful, and is highly recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about segregation, and/or interracial friendship.
February 21, 2013
The Other Side
By: Jacqueline Woodson
As a high school student I had the chance to look through elementary picture books and a give my opinion on them without reading them. The book that I was assigned to and that my group and I chose is entitled The Other Side.We decided to choose this book because just by seeing the cover we felt that it would have to do with racism and we wanted to see how the author communicated the message in the book. As a group we categorized this book in the section of racism or segregation. The reason I would categorize the book in those sections is because like I mentioned before just by seeing the cover you can see that, that message of racism and segregation was intended to be there.
The overall summary of this book is about two young girls whom both are from a different race and demonstrates that even though there is a fence that divides them because of their color they are not going to let that get in the way of a lovely relationship. They both are told that they are not allowed to go play over the fence to stay on their own side.
This book would be great for 3rd graders and on. This book would also be an ideal book for a teacher and parent to show their son or daughter/ student the topic of racism and segregation. The lesson learned overall would be that don’t be intimated to make a difference because ever a small conversation can change everything completely. I enjoyed this book very much because I enjoyed how the author but this book together to give that message out to her audience. She made it very clear and noticeable for the audience.
By: Jacqueline Woodson
As a high school student I had the chance to look through elementary picture books and a give my opinion on them without reading them. The book that I was assigned to and that my group and I chose is entitled The Other Side.We decided to choose this book because just by seeing the cover we felt that it would have to do with racism and we wanted to see how the author communicated the message in the book. As a group we categorized this book in the section of racism or segregation. The reason I would categorize the book in those sections is because like I mentioned before just by seeing the cover you can see that, that message of racism and segregation was intended to be there.
The overall summary of this book is about two young girls whom both are from a different race and demonstrates that even though there is a fence that divides them because of their color they are not going to let that get in the way of a lovely relationship. They both are told that they are not allowed to go play over the fence to stay on their own side.
This book would be great for 3rd graders and on. This book would also be an ideal book for a teacher and parent to show their son or daughter/ student the topic of racism and segregation. The lesson learned overall would be that don’t be intimated to make a difference because ever a small conversation can change everything completely. I enjoyed this book very much because I enjoyed how the author but this book together to give that message out to her audience. She made it very clear and noticeable for the audience.
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February 27, 2021Jacqueline Woodson has the blessed ability to write books for all age groups. As an adult, I can take advantage of all levels. This picture book may seem like it is only for children. It most certainly is not. There are two girls in this book. Clover is black and Annie is white. Between their two houses is a fence that literally separates the two races. Can two girls show their town what it is like to cross that fence and get to know the girl on the other side? Woodson's poetic narrative is beautifully brought to life by E. B. Lewis's watercolor illustrations. *Reviewed by Darla from Red Bridge*
May 16, 2020
I use this book every year to introduce my Civil Rights teaching unit. When I get to the last page of the book, I always cry. She says, "Someday, somebody's gonna come along and knock this fence down." I always close the book and say, "Tomorrow, we'll start to learn about a man, a woman, and a child who helped knock down fences just like this one." And as I speak, I hold up My Brother Martin, Martin's Big Words, If a Bus Could Talk, and The Story of Ruby Bridges.
March 2, 2020
Beautiful, thought-provoking, realistic. The artist's ability to capture movement and expression in watercolor is really incredible.
February 10, 2025
Beautiful pictures.
The story's about two girls who long to become friends, even though they've been told to not go near each other's houses. Both parents seem nervous about the others. (The story mentions one family is 'black', the other 'white'.) But the girls become friends, smiling and talking through the fence, and then sitting on the fence. Eventually, other kids join them. And if the story went on, perhaps the parents would have come along too.
The story's about two girls who long to become friends, even though they've been told to not go near each other's houses. Both parents seem nervous about the others. (The story mentions one family is 'black', the other 'white'.) But the girls become friends, smiling and talking through the fence, and then sitting on the fence. Eventually, other kids join them. And if the story went on, perhaps the parents would have come along too.
September 29, 2011
The content and illustrations on this book are terrific. Watercolors are an effective medium to convey the outside (setting) and the realistic nature of the story. This book represents the enduring issue of divisiveness (by race, class, culture, gender, sexual orientation). In this particular book the issue is racial segregation and the "fence" as both the literal & metaphoric point of separation of people based on skin color. In this story, a White and Black girl (told from the African American girl's perspective) are neighbors but are separated by a fence. They observe each other but do not initially interact b/c of societal, familial, and peer expectations. In the end, they find a way around the "system" of staying to "one's side of the fence" by sitting on the fence--a neutral ground that has not been claimed. In this manner, the children question societal norms and devise a work-around that let's them challenge norms that do not seem just in a way that gives them power in the world and reflects what a child can do. This book has an enduring theme and can generate rich discussion around issues of equity and just and unjust rules/norms/laws.
January 8, 2013
What a pure delight to combine the writing of Newbery honor winner Jacqueline Woodson and the award-winning illustrations of E.B. Lewis.
This is a small book that melds the words and images to make a stellar story with a great moral.
From a distance Clover can see a white girl standing by the fence. Clover's mother warns not to go near the fence because it isn't safe.
Clover watches the child from the safety of her swing. She watches the girl who jumps and plays in water puddles while Clover is told to stay inside.
One day Clover ventures near the fence and learns that Annie's mother has said the same thing. Her mama told her not to go on the "other side."
The separation of a fence represents 1950's and the ignorance of racism. This is a tale of children who do not listen to words but instead believe with their hearts.
As a compromise the children do not go over the other side, but instead sit side by side on the fence throughout the summer.
Eventually Clover's friends sit on the fence as well.
While small in the number of pages, this is not lacking in the depth of a wonderful story.
This is a small book that melds the words and images to make a stellar story with a great moral.
From a distance Clover can see a white girl standing by the fence. Clover's mother warns not to go near the fence because it isn't safe.
Clover watches the child from the safety of her swing. She watches the girl who jumps and plays in water puddles while Clover is told to stay inside.
One day Clover ventures near the fence and learns that Annie's mother has said the same thing. Her mama told her not to go on the "other side."
The separation of a fence represents 1950's and the ignorance of racism. This is a tale of children who do not listen to words but instead believe with their hearts.
As a compromise the children do not go over the other side, but instead sit side by side on the fence throughout the summer.
Eventually Clover's friends sit on the fence as well.
While small in the number of pages, this is not lacking in the depth of a wonderful story.
April 1, 2012
This is a wonderful tale about integration and the literal and figurative fences that kept people of different races apart. We loved that the two little girls dared to become friends, despite the mistrust and fear during the Civil Rights era. I thought it was brave for the little girls to push the boundaries set by their parents, sitting on the fence at first, but not crossing it; testing the waters to see what would happen. And I loved that the narrator's Mom noticed the blossoming friendship and subtly encouraged it. The watercolor illustrations are very nice and evoke an older era. We really enjoyed reading this story together.
February 19, 2020
Gorgeous book about finding your way over walls - er, fences - when you're too little to tear them down.
April 7, 2017
This is by far the most accessible Pre-K book about racism that I have encountered. Todd Parr and Faith Ringgold are great, but too abstract to get the point across. This book followed a simple problem/more problem/solution pattern in a small social story that any child could understand. My five year-old asked to read it again the next night. What more could you ask?
August 23, 2020
“Someday somebody’s going to come along and knock this old fence down,” Annie says. Two young girls, one black one white, become friends sitting on a fence dividing them. Children will learn change can happen. Woodson is one of my very favorite authors.
October 2, 2014
THE OTHER SIDE, by Jacqueline Woodson, is another beautifully-written piece of children’s fiction that will tweak at your emotions and inspire dialogue between reader and audience. Set in what appears to be the early 1960s, shortly before the Civil Rights Act made racial discrimination and segregation illegal, the book offers the hope that even small acts between just a few people can lead to change.
Clover sits in her yard wondering about the fence that stretches through the town, separating white people from black. Her mother warns her not to climb over the fence because of the danger. Still, Clover is curious. Sometime later, a little red-haired girl begins sitting on the fence all alone. One day, she asks Clover and her friends if she can join them in a game, but the friends refuse. Again, Clover remains curious. One day, after a long rainy period, she makes her way to the fence to talk to the girl, who she discovers is named Annie. A friendship sparks, and spreads to the rest of Clover’s group of friends. The end of the book will cause your heart to skip a beat, as you realize the hope the girls feel for the future foreshadows the changes to come.
Woodson, once again, partners with E.B. White, whose breathtaking illustrations are both realistic and nostalgic. You can almost feel the summer breeze, feel the sun, and hear the insects buzzing in the background. The irony that the ugliness of segregation lives in this tranquil setting is not lost on the reader, although warmth and nostalgia of the illustrations offer the perfect backdrop for the hope that is promised at the story’s end.
This book would be a perfect activator for a unit on discrimination, as it would get conversations started among students and prompt them to do further investigation on the Civil Rights Movement. THE OTHER SIDE pairs well with other books that document the struggle for civil rights, such as FREEDOM SUMMER, or any biographies on Martin Luther King and/or Rosa Parks.
Clover sits in her yard wondering about the fence that stretches through the town, separating white people from black. Her mother warns her not to climb over the fence because of the danger. Still, Clover is curious. Sometime later, a little red-haired girl begins sitting on the fence all alone. One day, she asks Clover and her friends if she can join them in a game, but the friends refuse. Again, Clover remains curious. One day, after a long rainy period, she makes her way to the fence to talk to the girl, who she discovers is named Annie. A friendship sparks, and spreads to the rest of Clover’s group of friends. The end of the book will cause your heart to skip a beat, as you realize the hope the girls feel for the future foreshadows the changes to come.
Woodson, once again, partners with E.B. White, whose breathtaking illustrations are both realistic and nostalgic. You can almost feel the summer breeze, feel the sun, and hear the insects buzzing in the background. The irony that the ugliness of segregation lives in this tranquil setting is not lost on the reader, although warmth and nostalgia of the illustrations offer the perfect backdrop for the hope that is promised at the story’s end.
This book would be a perfect activator for a unit on discrimination, as it would get conversations started among students and prompt them to do further investigation on the Civil Rights Movement. THE OTHER SIDE pairs well with other books that document the struggle for civil rights, such as FREEDOM SUMMER, or any biographies on Martin Luther King and/or Rosa Parks.
November 4, 2009
This is a story is about a little girls point of view during a time period where racial segregation was still around. Once summer you see her evolve when she makes friends with a white girl, Annie who lives next to her. The story starts when the little black girl, Clover plays on one side of the fence while Annie, sits up on top of the fence. Both children were told not to play on the other side because black children and white children should not play together. Over time, Clover gets up enough guts to go over to Annie and introduce herself. They start out their friendship by sitting on top of the fence. This way, they were not breaking any rules by going over to either side. Eventually as their friendship grew, so did their trust. One day, Annie played jump rope on Clover's side of the fence with other black children. Eventually they all became friends and they all began to sit on the fence. The story ends with the line, "Someday someone is going to knock this fence down."
I think this is a great book to read with older students. I thought it was so interesting to see a child's perspective on segregation. How they felt about it and how it effected their lives. I think its a great way to introduce the topic because it allows kids to make connections to that time period through the characters and their ages. I think this would also be a great book to teach students about doing the right thing rather than following everyone else. Finally I think you could teach children about how being nice and caring is contagious. As soon as Clover became friends with Annie, her friends and family members soon followed. What a wonderful story about friendship!
I think this is a great book to read with older students. I thought it was so interesting to see a child's perspective on segregation. How they felt about it and how it effected their lives. I think its a great way to introduce the topic because it allows kids to make connections to that time period through the characters and their ages. I think this would also be a great book to teach students about doing the right thing rather than following everyone else. Finally I think you could teach children about how being nice and caring is contagious. As soon as Clover became friends with Annie, her friends and family members soon followed. What a wonderful story about friendship!
February 14, 2014
In the other side the main character Clover is an African-american girl who sees an american (white) girl named Annie on the other side of a wooden fence. They both seemed to have much in common and ended up becoming friends.
I would recommend that students within 4th to 6th grade should read this book because that's the time when they start learning about America’s history of separation between white and colored people. This book also has 300 lexile, so that would be a good reading level for elementary students.
A parent might choose this book because this story shows that anyone can become friends regardless of how a person looks. A teacher might choose this book because this story demonstrates how the United States was in the 1900s. A student might choose this book because it has pictures. The theme of the book is friendship. The lesson of this story is to show that anyone can be your friend regardless of how that person looks. I know this because in the 1900s white and colored people had different schools, water fountains, restaurants, stores, etc. Still Clover and Annie see beyond that and still become good friends.
In my opinion I liked the art style of the pictures because they are different from what most picture books are like. The only thing that this book has a problem with is that it is too short. Even though this is a children's book I have still enjoyed reading it and recommend this to 4th to 6th grade students.
I would recommend that students within 4th to 6th grade should read this book because that's the time when they start learning about America’s history of separation between white and colored people. This book also has 300 lexile, so that would be a good reading level for elementary students.
A parent might choose this book because this story shows that anyone can become friends regardless of how a person looks. A teacher might choose this book because this story demonstrates how the United States was in the 1900s. A student might choose this book because it has pictures. The theme of the book is friendship. The lesson of this story is to show that anyone can be your friend regardless of how that person looks. I know this because in the 1900s white and colored people had different schools, water fountains, restaurants, stores, etc. Still Clover and Annie see beyond that and still become good friends.
In my opinion I liked the art style of the pictures because they are different from what most picture books are like. The only thing that this book has a problem with is that it is too short. Even though this is a children's book I have still enjoyed reading it and recommend this to 4th to 6th grade students.
July 17, 2015
Categories/Genres- Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction
Interest level- K-4
Reading level- Gr. 2
Brief description- Historical/realistic fiction: In a town divided by a fence, two young girls learn how to become friends, regardless of their color difference.
Characteristics of this genre and subgenre (discuss how they appear) -Illustrations are equally important to the narration. Without them, the audience would not know that the girls were of different races- White and African American.
-Point of view- the narrator, a young African American girl, does not understand why she is not allowed to cross the fence to play with the little white girl on the other side
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience? Primary and early elementary children are typically curious; Woodson shows how the curiosity between two young girls leads to friendship. Children reading or hearing this book will wonder why the adults in the book are not allowing the interaction between the children.
Awards-
Book List Feb. 2001
Horn Book Guide Fall 2001
Kirkus Reviews Jan. 2001
Library Talk Sept/Oct. 2001
Publishers Weekly Dec. 2000
Links to published reviews- http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=c...
Interest level- K-4
Reading level- Gr. 2
Brief description- Historical/realistic fiction: In a town divided by a fence, two young girls learn how to become friends, regardless of their color difference.
Characteristics of this genre and subgenre (discuss how they appear) -Illustrations are equally important to the narration. Without them, the audience would not know that the girls were of different races- White and African American.
-Point of view- the narrator, a young African American girl, does not understand why she is not allowed to cross the fence to play with the little white girl on the other side
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience? Primary and early elementary children are typically curious; Woodson shows how the curiosity between two young girls leads to friendship. Children reading or hearing this book will wonder why the adults in the book are not allowing the interaction between the children.
Awards-
Book List Feb. 2001
Horn Book Guide Fall 2001
Kirkus Reviews Jan. 2001
Library Talk Sept/Oct. 2001
Publishers Weekly Dec. 2000
Links to published reviews- http://www.titlewave.com/search?SID=c...
September 28, 2009
Summary:
A young black girl named Clover lives in a town where a fence separates the black side of town from the white side and her mother tells her never to cross over the fence. During this summer, her white neighbor named Annie, begins to sit on the fence each day, watching Clover. Clover begins to become more curious about the fence, the girl, and why it’s even there. One day, feeling brave, Clover walks to the fence to meet Annie. From this point on, the girls sit on the fence together each day, building a friendship and working to “knock down” the fence.
A Thoughtful Review:
Another important time in African American history, segragation in the South, is brought to life through the bravery, friendship, and hopefulness of two young girls. The development of Clover and Annie's characters are creative and thoughtful, as their curiousity and bravery parallel one another, into a bond and friendship. It is through these small moments of "bridging the great divides" that change happens. This story is one of hopefulness and friendship.
A young black girl named Clover lives in a town where a fence separates the black side of town from the white side and her mother tells her never to cross over the fence. During this summer, her white neighbor named Annie, begins to sit on the fence each day, watching Clover. Clover begins to become more curious about the fence, the girl, and why it’s even there. One day, feeling brave, Clover walks to the fence to meet Annie. From this point on, the girls sit on the fence together each day, building a friendship and working to “knock down” the fence.
A Thoughtful Review:
Another important time in African American history, segragation in the South, is brought to life through the bravery, friendship, and hopefulness of two young girls. The development of Clover and Annie's characters are creative and thoughtful, as their curiousity and bravery parallel one another, into a bond and friendship. It is through these small moments of "bridging the great divides" that change happens. This story is one of hopefulness and friendship.
September 18, 2015
The story plot is a bit similar to Each Kindness but I like the ending better than Each Kindness. This story can nicely encourage children to think about segregation and racism, making connections, sharing feelings, personifying, discussing author's viewpoints and messages, and using higher-order thinking. I could also connect this to a history unit on segregation. Although many books that talk about segregation and racism include hardships and struggles, I like The Other Side leaves you with a positive and uplifting feeling that many children can experience.
January 14, 2011
This is the book I read to the youngest students to give them a glimpse of the time before Martin Luther King Jr and the civil rights movement. It is a very sweet story, told from the perspective of an African American girl who reaches out to a lonely white girl. Shows how sometimes kids can be wiser than their grownups.
November 18, 2008
A touching story about kids who don't quite understand why race matters but definitely know it does. Good writing and great illustrations. A great book to read to middle schoolers and then discuss.
November 22, 2023
I thought this book was very heartwarming and made me think about the power of a good friendship. In this book, the story was about two girls and how they were separated from each other because there was a fence between them, and their parents did not want them crossing the fence. The girls did not cross the fence but instead sat on it and became great friends. One of the major themes in the book was friendship because both girls in the story worked to maintain their friendship even though there was a fence between them. The main genre of this book is historical fiction because these events in the story did not occur, but it is based on real events that did happen. Through reading this book, I learned the importance of having a good friendship and how it is very powerful because good friends will always accept you for who you are. I also learned the importance of not judging others because the two girls in the story only cared about being friends and did not focus on who was better than the other or that they came from different sides of the fence. This book was a WOW book for me because I enjoyed that the girls in the story became friends and accepted each other for who they were which made me happy because I value good connections.
One literary device the author used in writing this book was alliteration where it says “that summer me and Annie sat on that fence and watched the whole wide world around us” which demonstrated how both girls in the story became good friends and were happy to be with each other. There is also alliteration where the author says “that summer everyone and everything on the other side of that fence seemed far away” which shows how the fence separated the girls from being able to see what was on both sides. I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because the author detailed their understanding of the theme of friendship and the importance of having diversity in our friendships. This book is also anti-bias because the dialogue between both girls in the story felt authentic and that they both enjoyed spending time with each other. This book is also anti-bias because there were positive portrayals of both girls and positive representations of their cultural backgrounds.
One literary device the author used in writing this book was alliteration where it says “that summer me and Annie sat on that fence and watched the whole wide world around us” which demonstrated how both girls in the story became good friends and were happy to be with each other. There is also alliteration where the author says “that summer everyone and everything on the other side of that fence seemed far away” which shows how the fence separated the girls from being able to see what was on both sides. I would consider this book to be an anti-bias book because the author detailed their understanding of the theme of friendship and the importance of having diversity in our friendships. This book is also anti-bias because the dialogue between both girls in the story felt authentic and that they both enjoyed spending time with each other. This book is also anti-bias because there were positive portrayals of both girls and positive representations of their cultural backgrounds.
November 1, 2022
"The Other Side" portrays two girls-one being White and the other being African-American. This story is a great way to talk about segregation and interpersonal relationships. The illustrations reflect what each specific race would look like back in those times. The illustrations are all beautifully colored with water colors that really depict what is happening in the story. The story shows a African American girl named Clover and a White girl named Annie wanting to get to know each other. There is a fence that separates the two from one another and they are told to never go across the fence. That is until one day they both decide to sit on top of the fence to talk about things. This would keep occurring throughout the rest of the story and they become great friends. This story sends a message that no matter your race, ethnicity, or differences you may have you can still find a way to build a strong relationship foundation. This story would be great to read throughout the school year but might be best if read at the beginning. If read at the beginning of the school year, a teacher could have the students talk about there own family culture or race. The teacher can really emphasize how important it is to accept everyone by reading this book as part of a lesson. An activity a teacher could have the students talk to their parents or guardians about their family history. After the students talk to their parents or guardians they can draw themselves and write three things about their family. The students should have the opportunity to share what they discussed with their parents and allow other students in the class to ask questions (if they have any). This story is a mirror because we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience.
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