The Other Side
Jacqueline Woodson, Author
E.B. Lewis, Illustrations, Fiction, 2001
Suitable for: Ages 5 and Up
Themes: Diversity, Friendship, Racial Equality, Segregation
Opening/Synopsis: That summer the fence that stretched through our town seemed bigger. We live in a yellow house on one side of it. White people live on the other. And Mama said, “Don’t climb over that fence when you play.” She said it wasn’t safe. Two girls, one white (Annie) and one black (Clover) live in houses on the opposite sides of the fence. Every morning, Annie climbs up on the fence and sits and watches Clover and her friends jumping rope. They don’t invite Annie to play. She sits on the fence every day rain or shine. She dances in rain puddles by herself. One day Clover goes over to the fence and climbs up to sit with Annie. They become good friends and spend the entire summer sitting on the fence that the adults built to separate their two communities.
What I like about this book: This is an excellent book to discuss the history of racism and diversity with children. Clover narrates this realistic and lyrical book by Jacqueline Woodson. E.B. Lewis’s beautiful water-color illustrations give the book a warm and friendly feeling. This book clearly shows how children don’t see color. They are puzzled by the fence between the black and white neighborhoods in their small town. They don’t disobey the rules, but find a clever way around them by sitting together on top of the fence. They aren’t going to let a fence get in the way of their friendship. Woodson does an outstanding job of showing that friendship can overcome any racial barrier. This is the 11th anniversary of this classic book. It continues to be a great book for classroom discussions.
Activities: There are two resource links for The Other Side. The second is an activity section that can be used with Woodson’s book.
To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books. Or click on the Perfect Picture Book Fridays badge in the right sidebar.
Children's Books Heal 
I am surprised that I haven’t come across this book Pat. There is some great symbolism and an important message in this book, told through what sounds like a very natural story about childhood friendship – at a time in a child’s life when they haven’t learnt to fear that which is different!
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Joanna, I liked the symbolism. The book is really about the power of friendship. I think its important for kids today to understand this history, and be taught diversity at a young age. You’re right, they haven’t learned to fear that which is different.
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Hi Pat and Joanna, let me join the conversation here a bit because I am also surprised that I have not come across this book myself. Thank you for sharing this Pat, and I would definitely have to Pin this in my books to borrow from our library – been keeping tabs of these through Pinterest. Very useful tool. 🙂
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Hi Myra, glad you liked my selection. I liked the Black History books you featured on your blog. Not familiar with Pinterest. Will have to check it out
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This book looks wonderful! It has such an important message. And I love the art! The cover is gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing, Pat. You always have such great choices. (And I added your link – sorry it took so long…!)
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Susanna, glad you like the choice. I love the author and the illustrations of E. B. Lewis. It has an important message for kids.
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Great choice Pat! I heard Jackie read this aloud at SCBWI 2010, and it is a life-changing book. In fact, we own it, and it was selected as my kids’ “one book, one school” this fall.
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Julie, lucky you! I love it that it was selected by your kids school as “one book, one school.” Woodson’s books are so good and Lewis’ illustrations breathtaking.
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What an excellent choice for Black History Month.
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Thanks Kirsten. Glad you liked the selection.
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This sounds like a great book about the power of friendship! I love the idea of them sitting on the fence together, technically not breaking any rules but at the same time defying them all.
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Thanks for stopping Amanda. Yes, I loved the element of defiance in the book. Nothing was going to get in the way of their friendship.
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Wow that cover just says it all. I love the idea that they are not going to let that fence stand in the way of friendship!
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Yes Coleen, the cover says it all! I just love the artwork of E.B. Lewis — so beautiful! Yes, they are defiant in their own way. Friendship was more important.
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Super choice Pat! Amanda hit the nail on the head. So nice that children teach the adults a thing or two.
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Catherine, yes children have a way of teaching us. Glad you liked the choice.
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Another great choice Pat. The illustrations and the story both look wonderful.
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Thanks Stacy. I’ve tried to review at least one book a week for Black History Month. Want to build our selections in the PPB.
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I think that the book has a great message! I like how the girls became friends without breaking the rules. I can’t believe people wouldn’t let kids play together because of their color. I like E.B. Lewis’ illustrations! He has also illustrated a Robin Hood book with similar looking illustrations (style, not the same pictures). I’ll check the book out! 🙂
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Erik, I’m glad you enjoyed my choice. That did happen. I grew up in the dark ages of the 1950s and it was an issue, especially in the south. Yes, I love E.B. Lews’ illustrations too. Thanks for the tip. Have tried to run one book a week during Black History Month, and a couple during MLK’s birthday. They belong on our PPB list.
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This book looks amazing. We have been talking a lot about diversity in my house this month and I think this would be a great addition to the conversation. Thank you!
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Thanks Amy. Glad you like it and can use it at home. The fence is a stark reminder of a time I remember.
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I love the books that you choose every week, Pat. You find gems that are not only beautiful, they create an opportunity for wonderful discussions with children. The image of the fence dividing a community is a very powerful one. Thank you.
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Thanks Heather! I’m happy you enjoyed the book! I thought the fence was a powerful image of segregation. Woodson’s books are excellent, as is the illustrator.
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I’ve come across this book somewhere recently, but I can’t think where. It seems like such an excellent book to share with kids as a discussion starter and an eye-opener.
Thank you so much for sharing it, Pat!
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Beth, it’s a great classroom book. Someone else reviewed a book by Jacqueline Woodson about a month ago. Maybe that’s what you’re thinking of. I love her books and E.B. Lewis’ artwork is just gorgeous. The fence is such a powerful symbol.
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p.s. I was talking to a friend in the grocery store today, and she mentioned your interview on my blog. She has a friend who teaches kids with special needs, so I sent her the link to my blog to share with her friend.
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Beth, I appreciate the referral. I need to target parent and special needs groups.
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This book looks like amazing. I love the message. Thanks for introducing it.
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Thanks Margaret. I’m glad you enjoyed the story!
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Hi Pat,
Thank you for contributing such a powerful and beautiful book to PPBF…this is a wonderful message of friendship for young children…and a look at racism and how children don’t see color until adults teach them about it.
The art work looks lovely…great choice for Black History Month…or any month. 😉 the fence reminds me of the one in “Sorry”…might have to review that one soon.
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Vivian, I’m glad you enjoyed the book. I thought the message was powerful and I loved how the girls found a way to bend the rules. The artwork is outstanding! Thanks for stopping.
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I love Jacqueline Woodson’s books and this one is no exception. I used to read this to my third graders for Black History Month, or when they needed a book to illustrate friendship and inclusion. Glad to part of PPBFs now!
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Laura, glad that you also like this book and have used it in the classroom. It has so many great messages for kids. Glad you’ve joined us.
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Reading the description gave me the chills. I need to pick up this book. Thanks Pat for another great recommendation.
A2ZMommy and What’s In Between
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Tracy, I am glad the book grabbed your interest. Good for kids to know about.
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Great choice! I read this book a while back. Loved the story of reaching out and friendship. This was actually one of the books referenced in Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books.
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Darshana, am glad you enjoyed my choice. Thanks for the information on the reference in Ann Whitford Paul’s book. Woodson is very good!
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This is an amazing book, and I liked what Catherine said. How this could teach adults a thing or to. I am lucky in that we never had this problem in our country. Loved the message, thanks Pat. Great Post.
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Diane, I’m glad you liked my selection. It was a great book with a wonderful message. You are fortunae you didn’t have this problem in NZ.
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Excellent choice! Your review sent tingles up my spine. This is a book our family will have own and read over and over. Thank you, thank you for sharing. I am checking out the activities too.
Sorry I am late checking in, but I was finishing up a short story that I wrote about our son Christopher. I am subbing it to an anthology. *fingers crossed*
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Robyn, it’s hard to get around with the growing number of contributors. I’m glad you enjoyed my selection. Jacqueline Woodson is an outstanding author.
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Patricia, This must be a wonderful book if this is it’s eleventh anniversary. Thanks you for your review. I have added this to my library list.
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Penny, I’m glad you liked the review. She certainly spoke her mind and was way before her time. I loved the book!
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This sounds like a great one to read to my students. I’ll have to track it down. Thanks for sharing it, Patricia!
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It’s one of my very favorite Jacqueline Woodson picture books. My other favorite is “Each Kindness.” Thanks for stopping!
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I love Woodson and read all her books. I remember this one as well. Children are wiser than their parents and less inhibited and less prejudiced. Prejudice is something learned. I wish we could all stay like little children in that way. 🙂
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Thank you for your comments. This is one of my very favorite Woodson picture books. The artwork is beautiful!
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