A simple fence that cut through the middle of Clover's town was meant to separate the white side of town from the black side of town. This fence, for Clover, stood for a whole lot more. It kept people from playing, talking, and being friends. Until one day Annie and Clover, girls from opposite sides of the fence, decided to overlook what the fence was meant to represent and sat together,'on top of the fence'. In 'The Other Side' by Jacqueline Woodson, Clover simply, yet eloquantly, tells her story as she reaches beyond her side of the fence to find a friend. 'Someday, somebody's going to come along and knock this old fence down,' is Annie's and Clover's fervent wish and hope for the future.

Similar authors: Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert; Pat McKissack; Deborah Wiles

Similar books: Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles; Goin' Someplace Special by Pat Kissack; Rosa's Bus by Jo S. Kittinger; Coming on Home Soon by Jacqueline Woodson; Back of the Bus by Aaron Reynolds; Papa's Mark by Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/27/2011

ISBN-10: 0399231161

ISBN-13: 9780399231162

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It is the eighteenth year of Enclosure, long after The Flood has destroyed the Earth and its inhabitants. Ten-year-old Honor and her parents have just moved to Island 365. Here, sky color is regulated and it almost never rains. Every family follows the rules, like obeying curfew and praying to Earth Mother. That is, every family except for Honor's. To begin with, Honor has a brother. The Corporation permits each family to have only one child. Strange things begin happening to Honor's parents and then the strangest thing of all happens-they disappear! Where have they gone? Journey with Honor as she finds out where her parents have gone, as well as other secrets of the Corporation.

Reviewed by: jb

Date read: 7/16/2009

ISBN-10: 1595141952

ISBN-13: 9781595141958

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Commenter: Scpl Reader, grade 7

The Other Side of Truth is contemporary politics. Twelve-year-old Sade and her younger brother must flee not only their home in Nigeria, but also the country. Their father is a journalist who is critical of the corrupt government in Nigeria, and her mother is murdered in front of the family. Her father was the target. Sade and Femi now find themselves stranded in London, abandoned by the woman paid to smuggle them into the country and depending on mostly friendly, foreign government agencies, foster families, and teachers. Her father finally surfaces in England, only to be detained for illegal immigration. He will be sent back to Nigeria, unless Sade can find a way to tell the world what happened to her family. Sequel: Web of Lies.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0060296291

ISBN-13: 9780060296292

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Summer in Tarrytown, N.Y. is a lot of fun for 10-year-old Sheila, even though friends make her face up to some self-truths she doesn't want to admit to.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0142408794

ISBN-13: 9780142408797

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It is 1609 in Jamestown, Virginia. Elizabeth has survived the difficult crossing by ship to the New World, but finds that life in the new colony is far from pleasant. She encounters hunger, mosquitoes, illness, and uneasiness between the colonists and their Native American neighbors. Written in the form of a diary that Elizabeth is keeping for her twin brother who remained in England, this book gives a good sense of what life was like as an early settler in Virginia. If you enjoy this book, look for the sequels: The Starving Time and Season of Promise.

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 10/20/2009

ISBN-13: 9781435266278

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