The Other Side

The Other Side

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrator: E.B. Lewis

Genre: Fiction

Major Awards: Texas Bluebonnet  List, School Library Journal Best Book, 2001 Time of Wonder Award

Grade Level: 1-5

Summary: This book follows the story of two girls, one African American, and one Caucasian, who defy societal rules and become friends. Clover, the African American girl, lived on one side of the fence and Annie lived on the other. Because of the racial tension in the world at the time, they were not supposed to cross the fence. One day, they decided to sit on the fence together, which turned into them playing together. At first, Clover's friends did not approve, but they slowly grew to like Annie and they all became friends. The fence served as a symbol for segregation, and at the end of the book Annie and Clover hope that somebody will tear the fence that divides them down.

Evaluation: I absolutely loved this book. The symbolism and messages within the book were strong and touched me in a way that shallower books would not. I would most definitely use this book in my classroom. I think that it not only exposes children to history, but to the value and power of friendship. I also would want to use it because it is unfortunately still relevant today. Racial tension still exists, not just between those with different skin color, but those with different religion as well. Students need to learn right from wrong, and this book can aid me in teaching them those values.

This book can range between many grades (first through fifth). Older students would be able to understand the symbolism, whereas younger students would probably first focus on friendship and then discuss symbolism later. The language used in the book exposes how people within different cultures speak and interact with one another. The illustrations and the text work together to tell a beautiful, captivating story that is not only appealing to many different ages, but is desired by anyone who finds value in quality-literature.

In my classroom, I think I would use this book to teach about symbolism as well as the history of the Civil Rights movement. I would try to spark deep and meaningful discussions that include dialogue about how the book made the students feel, how it would be to be Clover/Annie, and how the world is different or the same. It would also be a great resource to teach about being neighborly and a good friend for younger grades.