Across The Alley

Michelson, Richard

Lewis, E.B

Penguin Young, 2006

Picture Book, Multicultural

3-5

This book is about two young boys, Abe and Willie, who are next door neighbors. Abe is Jewish and Willie in black and society does not except for them to be friends. During the night these two boys open their windows and become the best of friends. Abe teachers Willie how to play the violin and Willie teaches Abe how to play baseball. One night when the boys are talking Abes grandfather comes in and see's that they are friends. He is completely fine with their friendship and he becomes good friends with Willies father, Willies father went with them to the temple to find out what it is like. Willie has a concert here playing his violin, and many people move away from their family members as they sit and watch. Then at the end of the book there is a baseball game where Abe is the pitcher. They are all having a wonderful time with one another.

I think that this was a well written book. I really like how the author took two completely different children with different cultures and made them friends. In the book it talks about how Willies grandfather was a slave and how Abes grandfather was a prisoner to the Nazis. This was a really great connection made. I also really liked the illustrations, which were painted in watercolor.

I think that in the classroom this would be a great book to use during a multicultural study. You could also use it during history lessons about the Nazis and about the slaves. The author made a really great connection and tied these two things together really well. This book shows children that it is okay to be friends with people who are different than you.