The Other Side

The book The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson is a story of segregation and how two little girls were able to see beyond the separation. They were not allowed to cross a fence that separated the white side of town from the other. Clover, an African American girl and Annie, a white girl decided to sit on the fence that they were not allowed to cross and realized the other side is very similar to their own. They began their friendship this way and slowly some of Clover’s friends joined their group. This book is so powerful and significant to young children because it shows that children are capable of forming their own opinions about existing conditions which they may not agree with. They are able to make decisions about such issues and have the power to act on them and make a difference. The book is very well written and the watercolor illustrations are vivid and lifelike. It can be used to teach about segregation as well as the division and racial tension that is a significant part of American history.