Angela Johnson's book, "The Other Side: Shorter Poems", reminisces on her childhood in Shorter, Alabama through various vignettes. The reader meets childhood friends, community members and family members through the insightful memories of the author. Strong images and poignant observations are woven through each poem, leaving the reader with a clear sense of the author's voice and the emotions she feels about the town she grew up in and the memories it holds. The black and white photographs at the beginning and end of the book give the reader images to match to the text, and the overall effect leaves a long-lasting impression.

In the classroom, this would be an excellent mentor text for free verse poetry and voice in writing. In addition, it could spark important classroom conversations about issues such as war and racism, as the book touches on them in a sensitive yet real way. Students would find the book enjoyable because the poems are accessible and relatable, no matter your background. ( )

This is a book of short poems about a young, African American girl's life in Shorter, Alabama. She tell us about the people she knew while growing up in this small town, especially her "Grandmama". She writes about "pullin Shorter down", and how it effects her, her family, and friends. Finally, she tells us about life in a small, rural, and poor community.

I was very moved by these poems. In some ways I can identify with her experiences, the hot dusty roads, her close relationship with her Grandmother and the rural town. But mainly, I was enthralled with her descriptions of her friends and neighbors and the obvious difficult times she lived in. When I read these poems, I can hear the rhythm and cadence of her free verse.

This would be a great book for older readers, (middle school) to learn about different ethnic groups. Also this would be a good book for students to observe raw and true feelings about a difficult time in someone's life. ( )

This book is an easy but thoughtful read where the author, as narrator, takes you back in time to Shorter, Alabama. As a Coretta Scott King Award Author Honor Book, it's the words that produce the experience. There's not racial anger, but pictures of life as it was. ( )