Across the Alley

True friendship can cross any divide.

Abe and Willie live across the alley from each other. Willie is black and Abe is Jewish, and during the day, they don't talk. But at night they open their windows and are best friends. Willie shows Abe how to throw a real big-league slider, and Abe gives Willie his violin to try out. Then one night, Abe's grandfather catches them--will Abe and Willie have the courage to cross the alley and reveal their friendship during the day?

Like the bestselling The Other Side, E. B. Lewis's striking, atmospheric watercolors bring to life a moving story of baseball and music, and how two young people try to bridge the divide of prejudice.

Author: Richard Michelson
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Published: 10/05/2006
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.02lbs
Size: 10.28h x 10.22w x 0.41d
ISBN: 9780399239700
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 110839 / Across the Alley


Award: National Jewish Book Award - Finalist
Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Sydney Taylor Book Award - Notable
Award: Black-Eyed Susan Award - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Review - Children 09/01/2006 pg. 909
Booklist 09/01/2006 pg. 117
School Library Journal 10/01/2006 pg. 118
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2007 pg. 38 - Recommended, Satisfactory

About the Author
Richard Michelson is the author of several picture books. He is also an accomplished poet and owns the R. Michelson Gallery in Northampton, MA, which often features children's book illustrations. Find out more at www.rmichelson.com.
Earl Bradley Lewis was born on December 16, 1956, in Philadelphia, PA. As early as the third grade he displayed artistic promise. Inspired by two uncles, who where artists, Lewis decided he wanted to follow in their footsteps.

After finishing the sixth grade, he attended the Saturday morning Temple University School Art League run by his uncle. Under the tutelage of Clarence Wood, a noted painter in Philadelphia, Lewis began his formal art training. He remained in the program until his enrollment in the Temple University Tyler School of Art in 1975.

During his four years at Temple, Lewis majored in Graphic Design and Illustration, along with Art Education. There he discovered his medium of preference, watercolor.

Upon graduation in 1979, Lewis went directly into teaching, along with freelancing in Graphic Design. Between 1985 and 1986 he had completed a body of work which was exhibited in a downtown Philadelphia gallery. The show sold out and bought him public recognition and critical acclaim. Within two years his work was exhibited at the prestigious Rosenfeld Gallery in Philadelphia, where his shows continue to sell out.

Lewis' work is now part of major private collections and is displayed in galleries throughout the United States. Honoring Lewis, Barbara Bader's History on American Picture books will be including a description of Earl and his achievements as an artist. Currently, Earl Lewis is teaching illustration at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and is a member of The Society of Illustrators in New York City.

E. B. Lewis is the illustrator of two Coretta Scott King Honor Books, Rows and Piles of Coins and Bat Boy and his Violin. He lives in New Jersey.