Welcome to Litsy!

“Someday, someone‘s going to knock this old fence down.”

“A simple fence can‘t stop the power of friendship.“

A beautifully illustrated story of friendship across a racial divide, teaching readers about hope and breaking barriers.

"We can‘t play on the other side."

Teachers can use this book to discuss segregation and friendship. Students can create art projects that represent unity and diversity.

This touching story captures the friendship between two girls separated by a fence in a racially divided community. Woodson‘s lyrical prose and beautiful illustrations highlight themes of friendship, division, and hope. The narrative encourages readers to think about barriers and the power of connection. It‘s a gentle introduction to discussions on race and community.

“Clover, you can‘t sit on that side of the fence forever.”

The story's historical context makes it a valuable resource for teaching children about the impact of segregation and the importance of friendship across differences.

Historical Fiction
Published 2001
This book explores themes of segregation, friendship, and understanding through the eyes of two young girls, one black and one white, living in a racially divided community in the 1950s This story is about fictional characters living in a historical setting - when desegregation was prevalent in America. The main characters‘ friendship is relatable and compelling for readers.

“I don‘t know what I would‘ve said. Maybe yes. Maybe no. “

Teacher could use this to open up conversation about accepting others even though they‘re different. They could also be used to talk about segregation in the past. Could be used as many writing prompts on how students would approach situation.

Week 9: Historical Fiction! Beautiful story and pictures, highlighting segregation, and what that meant. Story of young children told not to play with each other due to their different racial backgrounds and how they sneak past it. Published in 2001.

Summary: This story is about two girls who fight against segregation by becoming friends because they don't believe in the ideas adults have about things so they do what they can to change the world.
Awards won: Booklist Editor's Choice
Purpose of Award: The year's best personal reading for teenagers among adult books published
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Date of publication: 2001
Genre: Fiction

This book takes place in a small rural town where segregation is the point of view in the story. A young girl is told by her mom that it is off limits and unsafe to cross the fence to the other side. The two sides are segregated between white and African American people. She eventually makes a friend from the other side and begins to hangout by the fence line despite what their parents say.

Illustrated by: E.B. Lewis
Publication: 2001
Summary: This book talks about how Clover has always wondered why a fence separates the black side of town from the white side. Then one summer Annie, a white girl from the other side, begins to sit on the fence. This has Clover curious about the reason why the fence is there and about the girl who sits on it. Then one day Clover decides to approaches Annie and they become friends!

Another great picture book with a wonderful message. Despite Clover‘s mom telling her not to cross the fence that segregates the Black side of town from the white side, that doesn‘t stop a little white girl from sitting on the fence and watching Clover and her friends. With time Clover and the little girl sit on the fence together and become friends. Just shows that hate is taught. #AuthorAMonth

A beautiful friendship develops even though there is a fence to keep them apart. Chaya didn't like it because she said she was so scared about what could happen if they were caught. She felt the implied danger. Jacqueline Woodson is an amazing author. The illustrations are works of art.

#BBRC @LibrarianRyan @Sarahreadstoomuch -Letter O-

The other side and F book. Is a book about segregation and how two little girl show everyone that a fence would not get in the way of friendship. Theme: diversity. Great Picture book for Reading aloud and class discussion.

Award: 2001 Time of Wonder Award
UDL: 3.1 Activate or supply background knowledge
ESOL: 4 Link lesson topic to students‘ prior knowledge https://www.rif.org/literacy-central/book/other-side
#ucflae3414sp20

I used the recommendation from the Girl Scouts to use these two books to teach about diversity and inclusion at our meeting today. Both were great and started some really good conversations.

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson is such a great historical fiction picture book. The story really touched my heart and I would love to share this with my future students. This book is about a young girl who begins to wonder why there is a fence diving the blacks and whites in her town. The young girl, Clover, eventually meets a young white girl, Annie and they become great friends.

For readers at any age, this is a book that speaks to the good in humanity. Children are born kind and curious. We can all work harder to support these natural inclinations. Beautiful story, incredible artwork.