Clover's momma always tells her that it is not safe to cross the fence and go the "other" side where Anna lives. Clover comes from a family of African- American descent and lives in a segregated world. Anna always sits on the top of the fence and Clover curiously wonders about this little girl. Clover asks her momma why she cannot cross the fence and her momma simply replies with, "that's the way it has always been." Clover is determined to make a change. Her and Anna finally meet at the fence and realize that their colors mean nothing. A friendship quickly develops and the two young girls hope that one day the fence will no longer exist.
This book was absolutely wonderful on so many levels. Not only does it teach students about segregation and the past, but it also teaches them that friends are friends no matter the gender, color, or race. Jacqueline Woodson writes several other stories with a very similar storyline to teach children the importance of friendships.
This looks like a wonderful book. I think it is important to teach kids that they can be friends with whoever they like. I look forward to reading this book to my class. Thanks for the great post Shannon.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember reading or hearing about this book when I was younger! This is definitely a good book to use to discuss how racial segragation happened, and to encourage students to see that race doesn't matter. These girls discovered they could be friends even when their parents didn't think they could!
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a great book as you read it in class. I love the children's books dealing with racism. It is such a huge thing to cover. When it's in books like these, it teaches them in a kid friendly simple way. Great book!
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