The Other Side

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2001. The Other Side. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons

Clover and Annie are very similar girls, but their lives are seperated by a long wooden fence. Clover and Annie's parents tell them that they should never cross the fence and to always stay on their own side. Clover is black and Annie is white. Clover was curious about the other girl and wondered why she always sat upon the fence. One day after a long period of rain, Clover was brave enough to walk over and introduce herself. Annie explained that her mom said never to go to the other side, however she never said anything about sitting on the fence. After that point, the girls sat on the fence, watched the world, and became fast friends. One day they imagined someone coming and breaking down the barrier. E.B. Lewis' beautiful watercoloring brings the characters and emotions alive for the reader. Each page consists of large colorful artwork depicting the setting and characters' actions. Although, this book deals with racial tensions it has been written through the eyes of a little girl and proves the point that friendship is blind.