The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson: My Thoughts

The Other Side                    

by Jacqueline Woodson

Synopsis: 

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson is a children's book that tells the story of two girls, Annie and Clover, who live on opposite sides of a fence that divides their town. The girls' friendship develops despite the segregation and prejudice that exists between their communities.

My Takeaways:  

I was immediately struck by the way The Other Side is told from Clover’s point of view, which gives the reader deep insight and understanding into what her thoughts and feelings are, helping the reader connect with her and empathize with her need to make a connection with Annie. As the story unfolds, we see Annie and Clover’s relationship evolve from a curiosity, to a tentative connection, and finally to a true friendship.  The girls’ friendship demonstrates a  bravery within the girls to go against societal norms.  Throughout the story, both Clover and Annie’s mothers learn from the relationship between their children, since they eventually allow a friendship to develop between their daughters.  Repeated use of the fence throughout the story with Clover and Annie separated by it, then sitting on it, and eventually on the same side, symbolizes the potential to bridge the divide of segregation that exists.

                                        The relationship between Clover and Annie also includes eventual acceptance and friendship from Clover’s friends, as a result of her example. The illustrations in this book are outstanding, and imply the era in which the story takes place in subtle ways. For example, the dresses the girls wear, including their saddle shoes imply that this story takes place in the past, instead of the author explicitly stating the timeline in which the story takes place. I believe that inferring the era rather than stating it directly makes the story itself more relatable to students, keeping it more relevant, rather than like a story that happened “in the old days”. 

    

Conclusion: 

The Other Side  is structured in short snapshots of events that occur in Clover’s life that are significant to her.  These short snapshots create a natural timeline that highlights the progression of Clover’s developing friendship with Annie. I have used this book in my elementary resource classes before, and my students have consistently found it absolutely captivating. This story is an excellent tool to encourage students to take a closer look at social issues that exist in our society today. The development of the story, and specifically the message on the last page leaves the reader with an implied message of hope. For more on this book and reader's reviews go to:

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/129771 

(Word Count 424)