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Sidewalk Story
Council on Interracial Books for Children award winner
From the award-winning author of The Hundred Penny Box comes a sweet story about how one girl can make a difference.
Lilly Etta didn't know the men, but she knew those yellow chairs. They were Tanya's, and they were being taken out of her building. Tanya was being put out - Tanya, her mother, her six brothers and sisters. Their things would be piled on the sidewalk and left there to be had for the taking. It didn't matter if nobody else in the city cared; Lilly Etta did. She knew what friendship was, and she wasn't going to let her friend be thrown out without a fight.
“An affecting, sensitive story.”— Booklist
From the award-winning author of The Hundred Penny Box comes a sweet story about how one girl can make a difference.
Lilly Etta didn't know the men, but she knew those yellow chairs. They were Tanya's, and they were being taken out of her building. Tanya was being put out - Tanya, her mother, her six brothers and sisters. Their things would be piled on the sidewalk and left there to be had for the taking. It didn't matter if nobody else in the city cared; Lilly Etta did. She knew what friendship was, and she wasn't going to let her friend be thrown out without a fight.
“An affecting, sensitive story.”— Booklist
58 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 1971
5 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Bell Mathis
13 books5 followersSharon Bell Mathis (born 1937) is an American librarian and author who has written books mainly for children and young adults.
Mathis was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She started writing at an early age, and her love of reading was fostered by her parents. Her mother, a poet, encouraged her to write. In 1958, she earned a degree in Sociology from Morgan State College and, in 1975, went on to earn a master's in Library Science from the Catholic University of America.
Mathis has written many books for children and young adults, and has received many accolades in her career. Her book Ray Charles, a nonfiction biography of Ray Charles, received the Coretta Scott King Award. The Hundred Penny Box received a Newbery Honor Award and is a recipient of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award and also an American Library Association Notable Children's Book. English Journal placed Mathis alongside writers such as Toni Cade Bambara and Nikki Giovanni, characterizing them as "describing a black consciousness of self- celebration rather like that which flowered during the Harlem Renaissance and was somehow lost, at least in literature, in the intervening years of social upheaval." Teacup Full of Roses was a New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year. It was described, also in English Journal, as "a celebration of black family life, not of the stereotypical enduring parents, but of the children who find their strength in giving to each other."
Mathis was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She started writing at an early age, and her love of reading was fostered by her parents. Her mother, a poet, encouraged her to write. In 1958, she earned a degree in Sociology from Morgan State College and, in 1975, went on to earn a master's in Library Science from the Catholic University of America.
Mathis has written many books for children and young adults, and has received many accolades in her career. Her book Ray Charles, a nonfiction biography of Ray Charles, received the Coretta Scott King Award. The Hundred Penny Box received a Newbery Honor Award and is a recipient of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award and also an American Library Association Notable Children's Book. English Journal placed Mathis alongside writers such as Toni Cade Bambara and Nikki Giovanni, characterizing them as "describing a black consciousness of self- celebration rather like that which flowered during the Harlem Renaissance and was somehow lost, at least in literature, in the intervening years of social upheaval." Teacup Full of Roses was a New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year. It was described, also in English Journal, as "a celebration of black family life, not of the stereotypical enduring parents, but of the children who find their strength in giving to each other."
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 4, 2017
This was most definitely one of the books that a child uses as a stepping stone from reading children's books to young adult. It was short, rather almost no plot whatsoever and easy to understand while also dealing with a harsh concept for many people whether young or old.
The characters were flat and had almost no dimension so it didn't catch my eye on that front. They just repeated what they seemed to do best while having the one main fault that never turned any further. And in the end I didn't feel the protagonist ever reached a maturity by her experience.
The other thing that bugged me with this particular story is it wasn't realistic enough. I applaud Lilly Etta for her desire to stand up for her friend and to try to help her keep her stuff but it mentioned that there had been others she had seen. Since they weren't friends she hadn't cared for them while her efforts seemed diminished when she kept comparing the situation to an old blind woman.
And there was too much of a happy ending when you know all the actual sad stories in life never turn out that way. And she still kept getting what she wanted even though her mama told her she wasn't going to since of she didn't obey her.
Altogether it was okay but not what I am going to keeping....
The characters were flat and had almost no dimension so it didn't catch my eye on that front. They just repeated what they seemed to do best while having the one main fault that never turned any further. And in the end I didn't feel the protagonist ever reached a maturity by her experience.
The other thing that bugged me with this particular story is it wasn't realistic enough. I applaud Lilly Etta for her desire to stand up for her friend and to try to help her keep her stuff but it mentioned that there had been others she had seen. Since they weren't friends she hadn't cared for them while her efforts seemed diminished when she kept comparing the situation to an old blind woman.
And there was too much of a happy ending when you know all the actual sad stories in life never turn out that way. And she still kept getting what she wanted even though her mama told her she wasn't going to since of she didn't obey her.
Altogether it was okay but not what I am going to keeping....
November 20, 2008
Genre: Fiction Reading level: Ages 8-12
There is nothing more frustrating that watching a friend hurt and being unable to stop the pain. That’s how Lilly Etta feels as she watches her best friend, Tanya, get evicted from her home. Lilly Etta’s passionate desire for real gold earrings takes a back seat to this more urgent crisis. When she remembers how a previous tenant regained her home, the girls set out to prevent the inevitable. Lilly Etta’s fierce determination has an impact on more than just her neighbors. This is a short, easy to read book is packed with colorful images and harsh realities. The story features African-American families in an urban setting, but focuses on the issues of poverty and friendship. Charity is an option quickly shunned by the mother of seven children as she is being forced out of her home. Lilly Etta’s unselfish efforts result not in a hand out, but in opportunities for the family.
Other books about charity:
The quiltmaker’s gift, Jeff Brumbeau
Where the lilies bloom, Vera & Bill Cleaver
Words by heart, Ouida Sebestyen
There is nothing more frustrating that watching a friend hurt and being unable to stop the pain. That’s how Lilly Etta feels as she watches her best friend, Tanya, get evicted from her home. Lilly Etta’s passionate desire for real gold earrings takes a back seat to this more urgent crisis. When she remembers how a previous tenant regained her home, the girls set out to prevent the inevitable. Lilly Etta’s fierce determination has an impact on more than just her neighbors. This is a short, easy to read book is packed with colorful images and harsh realities. The story features African-American families in an urban setting, but focuses on the issues of poverty and friendship. Charity is an option quickly shunned by the mother of seven children as she is being forced out of her home. Lilly Etta’s unselfish efforts result not in a hand out, but in opportunities for the family.
Other books about charity:
The quiltmaker’s gift, Jeff Brumbeau
Where the lilies bloom, Vera & Bill Cleaver
Words by heart, Ouida Sebestyen
June 1, 2010
This was a short little story. I could not believe that one little girl's hopes and believes can become a miracle for her friend. I feel proud of Lily Etta. She wasn't stubborn like her mom and she did everything for friendship. She is braver than i am. I feel like the book was actually the a moment in the author's life.
September 24, 2012
I do like happy endings. This did not seem very realistic. I have had similar experiences trying to get the news involved with something. I love Lilly Etta Allen and her strength and perseverance. I know how annoying she would be as a child/student.
April 13, 2014
This was one of the first books I read as a child where the settings and the characters looked like me and members of my family and my Bronx neighborhood. It also led me to read Mathis' other wonderful title "Teacup Full of Roses".
June 30, 2012
Sidewalk story is funny. it is one of my favorite books.
September 24, 2016
Trying to read some white level books. This one started out slow, but had a cute ending.
Want to read
September 4, 2017I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12233142
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12233142
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews