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Clover isn’t supposed to play on the other side of the fence, but what about climbing to the top to meet a new friend?
*The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis. Putnam’s, 2001. 32 pages.
- Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
- Recommended For: Ages 6-10
‘My mama says I shouldn’t go on the other side,’ I said.
‘My mama says the same thing. But she never said nothing about sitting on it.’
‘Neither did mine,’ I said.
Robert Frost wrote that good fences make good neighbors. But do they?
Clover’s mom has told her not to cross the fence. The white people live over there, on the other side. So she and her Black friends play on their side. But a little white girl is always sitting on the top, watching them, rain or shine. She is always alone. And one day, Clover climbs up to sit with her. Her name’s Annie.
This is such a sweet story and will remind you of books like The Hundred Dresses in a way. But what really sets it apart from others is the masterful combination of Lewis’s stunning illustrations and the centering of a young Black girl as the one who belongs while a white girl looks on from outside. It may seem a small thing, but the majority of books about friendship-across-cultures depict a Caucasian character doing the initiating, welcoming in the “other.” You don’t need to point this out to your children, necessarily. It’s a fabulous book in its own right, perfect for reading aloud to a group of children regardless of ethnicity.
*indicates a Redeemed Reader starred review, an outstanding example in its field.
Bottom Line: Beautifully illustrated and a story that all children will resonate with.
Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader
- Book Reviews: For older readers, we really liked Woodson’s Brown Girl Dreaming. For another picture book illustrated by E. B. Lewis, see Everywhere Beauty Is Harlem (starred review; scroll down).
- Book Review: The Watcher is a perfect complement to this book!
- Resource: Books about Racism for Children and Teens
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