The Other Side

The Other Side is a multi-cultural children's picture book intended for ages 5 and up. This story was written by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by E.B Lewis in 2001. The author, Woodson is able to bring such a deep subject to life while the illustrator portrays such beautiful pictures to show the differences.

This book did a great job of showing children that get to you get to have your own opinion and own thoughts. This is such a deep subject to teach and tell children about, books like this make it easier from children to understand. Clover wanted to learn more about Anna and why she could not cross the fence, she was asking herself why? Just like any other child would. Clover knew that deep down Anna was just as much as a person as her and she wanted to be her friend no matter what her mother or other friends thought.

Clover was a young black girl who always wondered about why her mother refused to let her go on the other side the fence. The fence separated the black and the white. Clover met Anna, who was a young white girl and she would always sit on the fence and look across to the other side. Clover became very curious.The girls would still listen to their parents and would not cross the fence but they sat on the fence together and grow a friendship like no other. This book was very powerful and a must read to people who have not read it yet. 

Discussion Questions:

1. If you were in Clovers position, would you be friendly with Anna?
2. Why were the black and white separated but a fence? How does that make you feel?
3. Do you enjoy learning about other people's culture?


Motivational Activity:

How your student or child make friends with people with different cultures or interests. Have the children write a short paragraph or two on their new friends explain key things that learn about each other. At the end of the activity the student can come together in a small group and tell everyone alit about their new friends. This activity will help children open up with each other and not be shy. It will also help everyone understand where people come from.


**If you enjoyed this book, check out other books written by Jacquline Woodson!
Here are some of her most famous**

• This is the Rope
• Each Kindness
• Pecan Pie Baby
• Coming on Home Soon
• We had a Picnic This Sunday Past

Woodson, Jacqueline. The Other Side. N.p.: Weston Woods Studios, 2014. Print.